Mogum in Chad

Introduction / History

The Mogum people are one of many people groups in Chad that has very little history. They live much like their ancestors, eking out a living from the soil.

What Are Their Lives Like?

The Mogum people live in south central Chad in a dry grassland region. The Mogum make their houses of mud bricks and have straw roofs. They have no electricity. Their clothing is mostly traditional Muslim, long robes.
They are farmers, hunters and gatherers. Droughts are common in this region. Lack of rain can lead to the failure of the Mogum's crops and death of their animals. The youth help with farming, and girls also help with housework and childcare. The Arabs sell them milk and meat in exchange for peanuts, grains and cotton. The staple foods of the Mogum are millet, maize and beans.
Elders rule the Mogum villages. The Mogum marry within their group. Families arrange marriages with girls often marrying young. Sons inherit the property of their fathers. Parents often have many children. A large percentage of children die before their tenth birthday due to the lack of access to modern medicine and clean water.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The Mogum are virtually all Sunni Muslim. Their commitment and identification with Islam make them resistant to change of religious preference. The Mogum practice Islam along with their belief in folk religion. They believe that spirits inhabit the objects of nature. These spirits are often evil and can bring harm to the Mogum if the spirits are not appeased.
Sunni Muslims try to obey the teachings of the Koran and the prophet Mohammad. These teachings come from the Koran and the Hadith. Allah, the supreme God of the universe, determines who enters paradise. Sunnis pray five times a day facing Mecca. They fast the month of Ramadan. They attend mosque services on Friday. If a Muslim has the means, he or she will make a pilgrimage to Mecca once in his or her lifetime. Muslims are also prohibited from drinking alcohol, eating pork, gambling, stealing, using deceit, slandering, and making idols.
A small fraction of the Mogum claim to be followers of Jesus.

What Are Their Needs?

The Mogum need regular sources of clean water. They need wells and access to modern medicine. Solar panels can bring electricity to the Mogum so they can charge their cell phones and run appliances. Teachers can come to the Mogum and establish schools in their villages. Christians with the right skills can help with all of these needs. The Mogum need to hear and understand the message of Jesus Christ. He alone can forgive their sins and grant them eternal life.

Prayer Points

Pray the Mogum gain access to clean water, schools, electricity and modern medicine.
Ask the Lord to send workers to the Mogum who can make disciples who will make more disciples.
Pray that Christian resources are translated into the Mogum language.
Pray that the Lord raises up a church planting movement among the Mogum of Chad.

Text Source:   Joshua Project