Introduction / History

The Mushunguli people are not ethnically Somali, but Bantu, a cluster of ethnic groups rooted in Sub-Saharan Africa. The Mushunguli probably descended from fugitive slaves who escaped from their Somali masters in northeast Tanzania around 1840. Many migrated to Somalia in search of security from the slave-trade. Mainstream Somalis look down upon them because of their slave origins. Traditionally, the Mushunguli were farmers, and they formed a "caste" group of Somali minorities known as the jareer or jirir.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Some attempt to grow crops so they can survive. They are often treated like slaves by the other Somalis.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Mushunguli people are Sunni Muslims who believe that the supreme God, Allah, spoke through his prophet, Mohammed, and taught mankind how to live a righteous life through the Koran and the Hadith. To live a righteous life, you must utter the Shahada (a statement of faith), pray five times a day facing Mecca, fast from sunup to sundown during the month of Ramadan, give alms to the poor, and make a pilgrimage to Mecca if you have the means. Muslims are prohibited from drinking alcohol, eating pork, gambling, stealing, slandering, and making idols. They gather for corporate prayer on Friday afternoons at a mosque, their place of worship. The two main holidays for Sunni Muslims are Eid al Fitr, the breaking of the monthly fast and Eid al Adha, the celebration of Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son to Allah. Sunni religious practices are staid and simple. They believe that Allah has pre-determined our fates; they minimize free will. In most of the Muslim world, people depend on the spirit world for their daily needs since they regard Allah as too distant. Allah may determine their eternal salvation, but the spirits determine how well we live in our daily lives. For that reason, they must appease the spirits. They often use charms and amulets to help them with spiritual forces.

There are almost no Christians in Somalia, but the Mushunguli are among them.

What Are Their Needs?

The Mushunguli people need the chance to choose the abundant life Jesus Christ alone offers. There are some Christ followers among them.

Prayer Points

Pray that peace would return to Somalis people buffeted by war and famine. Pray for their needs for clean water, a good livelihood and peace to come to the Mushunguli people in Somalia. Pray for the Lord to send them dreams and visions to turn their hearts to Jesus Christ. Pray for a movement to Christ among the Mushunguli people.

Scripture Prayers for the Zigula in Somalia.

References

https://www.unocha.org/publications/report/somalia/study-minorities-somalia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Somali_Bantus