Jebala in Morocco

The Jebala have only been reported in Morocco
Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction

The word Jebala comes from Moroccan Arabic “jbel”, which means "mountain." Thus, Jebala means mountain people. A man or boy is a "Jebli" while a woman or a girl is a "Jebliya." They traditionally have lived in or near the Rif Mountains along the Mediterranean in northern Morocco. Pointed-toed leather slippers and reed hats are traditional. Their musicians sometimes perform Sufi trance music. Sufism was important for their conversion to Islam.


Ministry Obstacles

There are very few opportunities to hear the gospel in rural Morocco. Few, if any, of their contacts follow the Lord.


Prayer Focus

Pray the Jebala community would be able to care adequately for their families and for good schools for their children.
Access to these people is limited. Pray for creative ways for Christians to minister to them.
Pray for the few followers of Christ to cling strongly to Jesus and not be discouraged as they face trials.
Pray these believers would learn to speak to one another in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs.
Pray for them to be receptive to gospel radio and television.


Scripture Prayers for the Jebala in Morocco.


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Jebala
People Name in Country Jebala
Pronunciation jeh-BAH-lah
Alternate Names Jbala; Jebala Berber; Rif
Population this Country 1,310,000
Population all Countries 1,310,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 26
PeopleID3 12336
ROP3 Code 104224
Country Morocco
Region Africa, North and Middle East
Continent Africa
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 21  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country Widespread, south of Atlas Mountains, including Sahara port cities.   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Country Morocco
Region Africa, North and Middle East
Continent Africa
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 21  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country Widespread, south of Atlas Mountains, including Sahara port cities..   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Map of Jebala in Morocco
Ethnolinguistic map or other map

Primary Religion: Islam
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.03 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
99.97 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Arabic, Moroccan (1,310,000 speakers)
Language Code ary   Ethnologue Listing
Primary Dialect Jebli
Dialect Code 7127   Global Recordings Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Arabic, Moroccan (1,310,000 speakers)
Language Code ary   Ethnologue Listing
Primary Dialect Jebli
Dialect Code 7127   Global Recordings Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Arabic, Moroccan
Photo Source Hawkeye58 - Wikimedia  Creative Commons 
Map Source Location: IMB. Imagery: GMI, ESRI, Maxar, Earthstar Geographics, ESRI User Community. Design: Joshua Project.  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.