Kyanga in Nigeria

Kyanga
Photo Source:  Anonymous 
Map Source:  People Group location: IMB. Map geography: ESRI / GMI. Map design: Joshua Project.
People Name: Kyanga
Country: Nigeria
10/40 Window: Yes
Population: 27,000
World Population: 29,400
Primary Language: Kyanga
Primary Religion: Islam
Christian Adherents: 1.00 %
Evangelicals: 0.60 %
Scripture: Portions
Ministry Resources: Yes
Jesus Film: No
Audio Recordings: Yes
People Cluster: Mande
Affinity Bloc: Sub-Saharan Peoples
Progress Level:

Introduction / History

There are four subgroups of Kyanga, the people who can be identified by their different facial scars. Many of them are bilingual. They speak their own language, Kyanga, along with the dominant Hausa language.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Like most other peoples of northern Nigeria, the Kyanga people farm and herd livestock.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Animism is the belief that everyday inanimate objects, places and animals contain a distinct spiritual essence or form. In the last 70 years Islam has become the main religious affiliation of the Kyanga people, though animism lies beneath the surface of their form of Islam.

What Are Their Needs?

Northwestern Nigeria is heavily populated by Islamists, so reaching the Kyanga people can be difficult and dangerous. Local Muslims falsely believe that embracing Christ means rejecting one’s own. They need medical care centers. Followers of Christ with medical skills can offer their services to Kyanga people.

Prayer Points

Pray that the few believers would be spiritually comforted in a dark and lonely world.
Pray that their spirits would be lit afire for the gospel, and they would be willing to lose their lives for the sake of Christ.
Pray that the Lord would send workers into the harvest field to help build his church and begin a church planting movement among the Kyanga people.
Pray that the Holy Spirit would convict the souls of the Kyanga imams (elders/teachers) so that they embrace the savior and encourage others to do the same.

Text Source:   Joshua Project