Berta, Benishangul in Ethiopia
Photo Source:
Erik Laursen, New Covenant Missions
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Map Source:
People Group location: IMB. Map geography: ESRI / GMI. Map design: Joshua Project.
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| People Name: | Berta, Benishangul |
| Country: | Ethiopia |
| 10/40 Window: | Yes |
| Population: | 347,000 |
| World Population: | 615,000 |
| Primary Language: | Berta |
| Primary Religion: | Islam |
| Christian Adherents: | 2.00 % |
| Evangelicals: | 0.10 % |
| Scripture: | Portions |
| Ministry Resources: | No |
| Jesus Film: | No |
| Audio Recordings: | Yes |
| People Cluster: | Nilotic |
| Affinity Bloc: | Sub-Saharan Peoples |
| Progress Level: |
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Introduction / History
Benishangul is a region containing the "Rock of Shangul," a sacred stone. This is home of the Berta people. They now live on the border of Ethiopia and Sudan. About half of them live in Ethiopia and the other half are in Sudan. Due to their intermarriage with Arab traders, some Berta were called Witawit, meaning mixture.
What Are Their Lives Like?
The Berta are farmers, with sorghum being their staple crop.
What Are Their Beliefs?
After several centuries of Arab Sudanese influence, the Berta are now mostly Muslim, and many speak fluent Arabic. Even though they are mostly Muslim, they have religious specialists that have healing and divination powers, and who know how to deal with evil spirits.
What Are Their Needs?
The Berta people need better medical care in their area. They also need consistent clean water.
Prayer Points
Pray for the Berta people to look to the Lord for all their physical and spiritual needs and find him faithful. Pray for spiritual hunger that will give them hearts that seek after God. Pray for disciple making workers who will teach Berta believers to make more disciples.