The name ‘Duhwa’ means ‘strong people,’ and the word ‘karfi’ which sounds in the Hausa language like their village name ‘Karfa,’ means ‘strength.’ Both names capture the meaning and reality of who they are as a people group because they are proud of their strength. The Duhwa say that they came from a place called Mupun in Mangu or Pankshin LGA. From there, they migrated to Margor or Mangar, then to their current location.
The Duhwa speaking people of Nigeria live in a village named Karfa, which is divided into two smaller parts called Ahum and Tisheu. Karfa is located in the Maguna District, Bokkos LGA, Plateau State, Nigeria. The village lies about 4,100 ft. above sea level on the western edge of the Jos Plateau. Karfa is isolated in hilly, rough terrain about 10.5 km (6.5 mi.) directly west of the village of Sha.
Like their neighbors the Sya and Mindat, the Duhwa people are mainly farmers growing crops such as fonio, maize, carrot, Irish potato and perhaps sweet potatoes, Beni seed, and beans. There is no market in the village of Karfa for people to sell their crops or buy food and useful things, so they have to transport their goods to Sya or a larger market in Daffo in order to trade. Because of the terrain, it is very difficult for vehicles to travel to-and-from the village, especially during the rainy season. This means that motorcycles are the primary way of transporting people and farm produce.
There are three primary schools in Karfa. The first school was built in 1969, and the latest was built in Tisheu in 2009. About 250 children (80% of the total) attend the main Karfa primary school. There are no children from other language groups attending the schools in Karfa. It was reported that most Duhwa children stop their education after the primary level, probably because the nearest secondary school is in Sha.
Literacy is necessary for survival in the modern world, regardless of how isolated some people live. Therefore, literacy and access to literature, including on the internet, can be a strong motivation for learning another language. Literature that is available to the Duhwa community is written in either Hausa or English and includes Bibles, novels, magazines, and textbooks used by students. Verbal use of the Duhwa language remains strong and the language is used by all age groups. Cell service is available but only some people have cell phones.
Unfortunately there is no medical clinic in Darfa, so patients with serious medical needs must be transported over rough roads to a larger town such as Sha or Daffo.
In Karfa, the people say that 9 out of every 10 Duhwa people are Christians. The denominations of Christianity found among the Duhwa people include Church of Christ in
Nations (COCIN), Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA), Assemblies of God Church, and Roman Catholicism. One out of ten Duhwa people follow traditional African religious traditions.
The people in Karfa reported that a Bible translation project was once started in their language but was stopped. Those involved in the project have all died, and there is almost nothing to show for the work they did. A rebirth of desire for scripture would benefit the community, as would discipleship and spiritual growth. Economic development and education are perennial needs, as are safety and security from violence and persecution.
Pray that the light of Christ will be bright in the believers and spark a movement toward relationship with Jesus Christ.
Pray for a spiritual hunger in the Duhwa people for Jesus Christ.
Pray that they would understand that only through Jesus can they have a full life.
Pray against lies which muddy the living water and cloud the truth.
Pray against spiritual deception.
Scripture Prayers for the Karfa in Nigeria.
| Profile Source: Joshua Project |
