The Barabaig of Tanzania
Tanzania is a country in Eastern Africa with a population of 32,892,000 people. There are 132 languages listed for Tanzania. There are 76,000 Barabaig who are a segment of the Dataoga people group. They are a nomadic group traveling all over Tanzania following good grazing for their cattle. The main concentration of Barabaig is in the Hanang district of Arusha region but the number of Barabaig there varies because of their nomadic habits. The Barabaig worship one God, Aseta but they believe he lives far away. His eye is the sun
and his priests are the witch doctors. The witch doctors have very strong spirits and can communicate with the living even after the witch doctor's death. They also practice ancestor worship. We have one church started in the Mureru Village in the Hanang district with 33 baptized believers. Our Missionaries
Dan and Peggy Rorabaugh work among the Barabaig. They were appointed as
missionaries in 1977. The Rorabaughs have worked with several language
groups over the years and planted churches among them. Dan and Peggy have
three grown children. Here are some prayer requests for the Barabaig work:
 | Pray that 10% of the Barabaig will become Baptist Christians in the
next 9 years. (The Rorabaughs retire in 10 years). |
| Pray that the Jesus film will be translated into the Barabaig language
and be effective in reaching them for Christ. The majority of the Barabaig
are totally illiterate and only speak their dialect. |
| Pray that new believers will be eager to be trained in how to reach
their people and take the spreading of the gospel as their divine
responsibility. |
We are encouraging Sunday School classes or other church groups to
adopt a Southern Baptist Missionary. Adopting a missionary means that you
will support them with your prayers. You may send birthday cards, care
packages, etc. Please call church for further information.Ì
Ed. Note: The Rorabaughs have previously visited in our church to tell
us about their work, and many of our members have already pledged their
support as prayer partners.
Article taken from January 2001 Informer (UBC's Newsletter). |
