Tigre, Eritrean in Egypt

Introduction / History

The Eritrean Tigre are traditionally nomadic shepherds who live mainly in Eritrea and northeastern Sudan. They are distinguished from other regional peoples by the fact that they possess hereditary slaves. Historically, most of the Tigre have been scattered between Eritrea's northern highlands and western lowlands. Most of the Eritrean Tigre converted to Islam during the 1800s, influenced by Muslim Arab missionaries.

The Tigre in Eritrea have suffered from recent droughts, famine, and civil war. Although many are still nomads, most are semi-nomadic; others have become settled farmers. In addition to Eritrea, they live in other parts of northeastern Africa such as Egypt. Egypt has the smallest Eritrean Tigre population of any country.

What Are Their Lives Like?

The nomadic Tigre raise cattle, goats, sheep, and camels. These animals are sold in the markets, and the earnings are used to buy essential items. The nomads do not live in villages but roam about the countryside with their herds. They live in portable round huts, usually covered with mats made of woven goat or camel hair.

The semi-nomadic Eritrean Tigre usually spend half the year in the northern highlands and the other half in the western lowlands. Their villages usually have only two or three huts. Their huts are also round and are covered with mats made of woven goat hair. They also tend livestock, usually cattle and goats.

settled Eritrean Tigre farmers raise corn, sorghum, wheat, barley, legumes, and linseed. They live in villages, and their homes are usually round with cone-shaped roofs made of branches and leaves. The walls are typically made of palm mats. Most of the farmers raise goats and, occasionally, cattle. Oxen, mules, and donkeys are used as pack animals. With unpredictable amounts of rainfall and families averaging seven children, many live with much uncertainty.

Their diet consists of dairy products, fruit, grain, and some slaughtered stock. The men tend the livestock while the women carry water from local water holes, build the huts, and care for the children. Eritrean Tigre women like to wear jewelry, especially silver bracelets and strings of pearls. They also prefer to make their clothing from colored cloth, which is available at trading markets. Tobacco, coffee, and beer are frequent indulgences.

Eritrean Tigrean society is patrilineal, which means that the line of descent is traced through the males. Marriages are arranged by the parents; however, wedding customs have varied somewhat since they converted to Islam. Some of the people now adhere to Islamic customs, while others continue to follow the traditional customs. Members of a tribe usually follow the same set of rites and customs.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Although the Eritrean Tigreans profess to be Sunni Muslims, most of them practice folk Islam, which is a blend of Islam and ethnic beliefs. Their traditional beliefs include animal sacrifices and rain making rituals. Sacrifices of livestock or corn are offered whenever they think their sins are numerous. They believe that the sacrifice becomes the scapegoat for their sins. The Eritrean Tigreans also believe in an evil spirit named Zar, who possesses people and causes accidents, illnesses and sometimes death. The people depend on shamans (priests) to cure the sick, communicate with the spirits, and control events. The shamans also exorcise demons and perform services by entering into a trance.

What Are Their Needs?

Only a few Tigre have accepted Christ. There are Christ followers in Egypt who can be Christ bearers to these Muslims.

Prayer Points

Pray for a "Book of Acts" type of movement to Christ among the Tigre Eritreans in Egypt.
Pray for the Tigre Eritreans to understand and embrace that Jesus wants to bless their families and neighborhoods.
Pray for Holy Spirit anointed believers from the Tigre Eritreans to change their society from within.
Pray for a movement in which the Holy Spirit leads and empowers disciples to make more disciples.
Pray for a movement of Jesus to heal and strengthen Tigre Eritrean communities.

Text Source:   Joshua Project