Mahra in Somalia


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

This group from Yemen's Socotra Island is often called the Al-Mahrah tribe or Mehri. They are the largest tribe in their original homeland. Because of the isolation island living provides, their language is different than that of other Arabic speaking peoples. Mahra speakers often have to learn more modern Arabic dialects to communicate with others. Their language is in danger of extinction; it is a spoken language that is seldom written or read.


Where Are they Located?

Most are located on the island of Socotra, which is in Yemen, but many have migrated to other countries like Somalia, Oman or Kuwait.


What Are Their Lives Like?

There are limited opportunities to earn a living on a remote island, so the Mahra people often try to find work in Kuwait, where wages are higher. Those less fortunate wind up in places like Somalia, where the economy is not working.


What Are Their Beliefs?

No matter where they live the Mahra people are 100 Sunni Muslim. There are no Christian believers among them.


What Are Their Needs?

People who live on small islands have a hard time earning a good living, and that includes the Mahras. Believers can help them develop the right skills so they can rise above their current circumstances.


Prayer Points

Pray for opportunities for Mahra people in Somalia to hear of the love, grace, mercy, and power of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Pray for spiritual openness among this solidly Muslim people.
Pray for a Disciple-Making movement to spread through Mahra communities, not only in Somalia, but also in Oman, Yemen, and Kuwait.


Scripture Prayers for the Mahra in Somalia.


References

https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/13220/KU
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mehri_people
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mehri_language


Profile Source:   Keith Carey  

People Name General Mahra
People Name in Country Mahra
Pronunciation MAE-rah
Alternate Names Arab Salah; Mahri; Mehri; South Arabic
Population this Country 4,900
Population all Countries 249,000
Total Countries 5
Indigenous No
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
PeopleID3 13220
ROP3 Code 106046
Country Somalia
Region Africa, East and Southern
Continent Africa
10/40 Window Yes
Persecution Rank 2  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country Puntland   Source:  Web
Country Somalia
Region Africa, East and Southern
Continent Africa
10/40 Window Yes
Persecution Rank 2  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country Puntland.   Source:  Web

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Ethnolinguistic map or other map

Primary Religion: Islam
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
100.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Mehri (4,900 speakers)
Language Code gdq   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Mehri (4,900 speakers)
Language Code gdq   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Mehri

Primary Language:  Mehri

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1902)
Bible-New Testament No
Bible-Complete No
Possible Print Bibles
Amazon
World Bibles
Forum Bible Agencies
National Bible Societies
World Bible Finder
Virtual Storehouse
Resource Type Resource Name Source
None reported  
Photo Source (Representative photo)
Rod Waddington - Flickr  Creative Commons 
Profile Source Keith Carey 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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