Gyem, Gyemawa in Nigeria
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| People Name: | Gyem, Gyemawa |
| Country: | Nigeria |
| 10/40 Window: | Yes |
| Population: | 2,300 |
| World Population: | 2,300 |
| Primary Language: | Gyem |
| Primary Religion: | Ethnic Religions |
| Christian Adherents: | 10.00 % |
| Evangelicals: | 4.73 % |
| Scripture: | Translation Started |
| Ministry Resources: | No |
| Jesus Film: | No |
| Audio Recordings: | Yes |
| People Cluster: | Benue |
| Affinity Bloc: | Sub-Saharan Peoples |
| Progress Level: |
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Introduction / History
Gyem (also known by the names Gema, Gemawa, Gyam, Gyemawa) is a stable indigenous language of Nigeria. It is an East Kainji language belonging to the Niger-Congo family. Gyem is one of the smallest ethnic groups in Nigeria. They have no history of migration but believe themselves to be the original founders of their settlement.
Gyem is spoken in several villages in Toro Local Government Area in the western part of Bauchi State, Nigeria. Other languages spoken nearby include Shau, Gawa, and Nigerian Fulfulde.
What Are Their Lives Like?
Agriculture is the main occupation of the Gyem people. They raise cattle and other stock and grow crops, including cotton, ground nuts, millet, tomatoes, and yams. The government has introduced advance irrigation schemes to increase production.
What Are Their Beliefs?
A small percentage of the Gyem people have become Christians. The majority follow African Traditional Religion. Animism, a worldview that believes natural physical entities such as animals, plants, and even inanimate objects possess a spiritual essence, is its core concept.
What Are Their Needs?
More detailed research would be helpful to give a clearer picture of the language situation and assess the multilingualism of the Gyem people and in what domains Gyem, English, Hausa, and neighboring languages are being used. Many ethnic groups in Nigerian are switching to the use of Hausa in various domains. However, currently the Gyem language is used by all in the ethnic community and is being transmitted to the children. It is not taught in schools. Audio-visual Bible lessons can be found at globalrecordings.net under the name Gyam. These provide a Bible overview from creation to Christ, and teachings on the Christian life to be used for evangelism and church planting. Community leaders interested in further language development to preserve their language might consider attending available workshops that expose participants to language vitality and potential short-term development and translation projects.
Prayer Points
Pray Gyem Christians will access the Bible stories available online to share their Christian faith with family and neighbors.
Pray further research can be conducted to help assess the vitality of the language and assist community leaders in deciding if they wish to pursue language development.
Pray Gyem speakers will engage with Scripture that is available in other languages to assess their level of understanding of those Scriptures to determine their translation needs.