The Bideyat and the Zaghawa are names given by the Arabs, but they call themselves the 'Béri '. The Bideyat could be described as northern Béri, and the Zaghawa as southern Béri. The Béri are also numerous in Sudan.
In times past there was a great Béri Kingdom. In the twelfth century they are believed to have occupied most of Chad between Chari and Fezzan, between Kawar and Darfur.
Herds of cattle and camels are a very important part of the Béri culture. Cattle and other animals from their herds are traditionally part of the 'bride price '. The Bideyat are more associated with nomadic camel herding and the Zaghawa associated with cattle as sedentary stock producers.
The Béri live in a very delicate ecological situation, where the Sahara is encroaching on the Sahelian grasslands where they have lived for several centuries. Low rainfall is having a great impact on the Béri, who depend on the rains not only for the crops they raise, but most of all for the precious water resources for their herds. Lack of rain has caused whole villages to move elsewhere, and many have gone to live in urban areas like Abéché and Ndjamena.
When Islam came to the Béri from the seventeenth century onwards, many were less than responsive to Islam because of their strong ancient belief system, and some pre-Islamic rituals survive until this day. Even though increasingly more of the Béri tribes have abandoned the traditional religious beliefs passed on by their ancestors, now most of the Béri claim to be Muslims. Only some of the elderly are observing traditional religious practices.
Not only do they live in a dry area physically, but spiritually, they are still waiting for the Spirit of God to birth life in Jesus Christ amongst them.
Pray for the Bideyat people to experience and understand God’s provision.
Pray for loving and dedicated workers.
Pray for a “Book of Acts” type of movement to Christ among the Bideyat people in Sudan and Chad.
Pray for Bideyat disciples who will disciple others.
Scripture Prayers for the Bideyat in Sudan.
Profile Source: Joshua Project |
People Name General | Bideyat |
People Name in Country | Bideyat |
Alternate Names | Beri |
Population this Country | 13,000 |
Population all Countries | 23,000 |
Total Countries | 2 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
Unreached | Yes |
Frontier People Group | Yes |
GSEC | 1 (per PeopleGroups.org) |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 1 |
People ID | 10833 |
ROP3 Code | 101416 |
ROP25 Code | 301092 |
ROP25 Name | Beri (Bideyat, Zaghawa) |
Country | Sudan | ||
Region | Africa, East and Southern | ||
Continent | Africa | ||
10/40 Window | Yes | ||
National Bible Society | Website | ||
Persecution Rank | 8 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) | ||
Location in Country | Shamal Darfur and Gharb Darfur states, scattered.an Source: Ethnologue 2016 |
Country | Sudan |
Region | Africa, East and Southern |
Continent | Africa |
10/40 Window | Yes |
National Bible Society | Website |
Persecution Rank | 8 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) |
Location in Country | Shamal Darfur and Gharb Darfur states, scattered.an. Source: Ethnologue 2016 |
Primary Religion: | Islam |
Major Religion ▲ | Percent |
---|---|
Buddhism |
0.00 %
|
Christianity (Evangelical 0.00 %) |
0.00 %
|
Ethnic Religions |
0.00 %
|
Hinduism |
0.00 %
|
Islam |
100.00 %
|
Non-Religious |
0.00 %
|
Other / Small |
0.00 %
|
Unknown |
0.00 %
|
Primary Language | Zaghawa (13,000 speakers) |
Language Code | zag Ethnologue Listing |
Primary Dialect | Tuba |
Dialect Code | 8124 Global Recordings Listing |
Language Written | Unknown |
Total Languages | 1 |
Primary Language | Zaghawa (13,000 speakers) |
Language Code | zag Ethnologue Listing |
Primary Dialect | Tuba |
Dialect Code | 8124 Global Recordings Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
People Groups | Speaking Zaghawa |
Primary Language: Zaghawa
Bible Translation Status: Translation Started
Resource Type ▲ | Resource Name | Source |
---|---|---|
Audio Recordings | Audio Bible teaching | Global Recordings Network |
General | Scripture Earth Gospel resources links | Scripture Earth |
Map Source | Joshua Project / Global Mapping International |
Profile Source | Joshua Project |
Data Sources | Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more. |