Mubi in Chad

Introduction / History

The Mubi are an agricultural community who live in the dry grasslands of south-central Chad. The Mubi live east of the Abou Telfane Mountains and south of the Massalit in the Prefecture Mangalme. They are divided into three cantons (political communities): Mubi Hadaba in the north, Mubi Zarga in the south and Mubi Goz in the east. They live in 135 small villages fortified by thorn hedges around the town of Mangalme. There are few if any followers of Christ among them. At the time of this writing, no Christian resources are available in the Mubi language. Chad became independent from France in 1960. Unfortunately, since that date Chad has seen a series of civil wars, the assassinations and arrests of political leaders, coups and wars with Libya and Sudan. A quarter of Chad's income is aid from the UN, NGOs, France, China, and the USA. International agencies consider Chad to be a failed state. Less than 40% of the people are able to read and write. Life expectancy in Chad is under 50 years old. In 2003 Chad became an oil exporting nation. Most of the revenue from the oil went to buying weapons and for the salaries of the Chadian military, not for the welfare of the Chadian people.

What Are Their Lives Like?

The Mubi cultivate millet, sorghum, sesame, beans, cotton, and peanuts. Their territory is regularly crossed by the Missiriye Arabs, with whom they exchange goods and services. The Mubi have since the 1960s taken up cattle raising. Each village has a herd, which is put in the care of a communal herdsman or a group of young men who take the animals to winter in the wadis (seasonally dry streambeds). They also raise goats, sheep, donkeys and horses. Draughts are common in the region where the Mubi live. If the rains fail, the Mubi can face starvation. Intermarriage is common with all neighboring ethnic groups, such as Masmadje, Birgit, Dadjo and Misirie. Brides from other ethnic groups have to learn the Mubi language. A majority of Mubi use Chadian Arabic as a second language for communication with people from other language groups.

What Are Their Beliefs?

All Mubi claim to be Sunni Muslims. Their Islam is heavily influenced by pre-Islamic folk religion. They try to obey the teachings of the Koran and the prophet Mohammad. Sunnis believe that by following the Five Pillars of Islam that they will attain heaven when they die. However, 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. The two main holidays for Sunni Muslims are Eid al Fitr, the breaking of the monthly fast and Eid al Adha, the celebration of Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son to Allah.

What Are Their Needs?

The Mubi need a nearby sources of clean water. Women often have to walk long distances to get water for their families. Solar panels can provide electricity for cell phone and appliances. Teams can bring the blessings of modern medicine to the Mubi villages. Most of all, the Mubi need to hear the life changing message of Jesus Christ. He alone can forgive their sins and grant them eternal life.

Prayer Points

Ask the Lord to send workers to the Mubi. Pray that the Bible and other resources are translated into the Mubi language. Pray the Lord leads teams of Christians to drill wells for the Mubi. Ask the Lord to raise up a growing church planting movement among the Mubi people of Chad.

Text Source:   Joshua Project