The Turkana people are the second largest of the pastoral people of Kenya. They occupy the far northwest corner of the nation, an area of about 67,000 square kilometers.
Around 1700, the Turkana emigrated from the Uganda area over a period of years. They took over the area which is the Turkana district today by simply displacing the existing people of the area. Turkana warriors today still take pride in their reputation as the most fearless fighters in East Africa.
The biggest events for life of Turkana are marriage and child birth. Other cultural rituals such as circumcision are completed with little ceremony. The marriage however, may be in process for as long as three years. Subsequent to the payment of bride price, the wife to be is brought into the home of her husband. The wedding ceremony is not performed until after at least one healthy child is weaned.
Adherence to the traditional religion is weak and seems almost nonchalant among the Turkana. Therefore, if the message of Christ's deliverance is introduced to these people, they would accept it wholeheartedly.
* Scripture Prayers for the Turkana in Kenya.
Profile Source: Anonymous |
Expanded PDF Profile |
People Name General | Turkana |
People Name in Country | Turkana |
Population this Country | 1,291,000 |
Population all Countries | 1,344,000 |
Total Countries | 2 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Progress Scale | 5 ● |
Unreached | No |
Frontier People Group | No |
GSEC | 3 (per PeopleGroups.org) |
Pioneer Workers Needed | |
Alternate Names | |
People ID | 15653 |
ROP3 Code | 110303 |
Country | Kenya | ||
Region | Africa, East and Southern | ||
Continent | Africa | ||
10/40 Window | No | ||
National Bible Society | Website | ||
Persecution Rank | 49 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) | ||
Location in Country | Samburu and Turkana counties: west and south of Lake Turkana. Source: Ethnologue 2016 |
Country | Kenya |
Region | Africa, East and Southern |
Continent | Africa |
10/40 Window | No |
National Bible Society | Website |
Persecution Rank | 49 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) |
Location in Country | Samburu and Turkana counties: west and south of Lake Turkana.. Source: Ethnologue 2016 |
Primary Language | Turkana (1,291,000 speakers) |
Language Code | tuv Ethnologue Listing |
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
Primary Language | Turkana (1,291,000 speakers) |
Language Code | tuv Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
People Groups | Speaking Turkana |
Primary Language: Turkana
Bible Translation ▲ | Status (Years) |
---|---|
Bible-Portions | Yes (1972-1994) |
Bible-New Testament | Yes (1986) |
Bible-Complete | Yes (2001) |
Bible-NT Audio | Online |
Possible Print Bibles | |
---|---|
Amazon | |
World Bibles | |
Forum Bible Agencies | |
National Bible Societies | |
World Bible Finder | |
Virtual Storehouse |
Resource Type ▲ | Resource Name |
---|---|
Audio Recordings | Audio Bible teaching (GRN) |
Audio Recordings | Online New Testament (FCBH) |
Film / Video | God's Story Video |
Film / Video | Jesus Film: view in Turkana |
Mobile App | Download Audio Bible app as APK File from FCBH |
Text / Printed Matter | Online Bible text (Scripture Earth) |
Text / Printed Matter | World Missionary Press Booklets |
Primary Religion: | Ethnic Religions |
Major Religion ▲ | Percent |
---|---|
Buddhism |
0.00 %
|
Christianity (Evangelical 22.16 %) |
48.00 %
|
Ethnic Religions |
52.00 %
|
Hinduism |
0.00 %
|
Islam |
0.00 %
|
Non-Religious |
0.00 %
|
Other / Small |
0.00 %
|
Unknown |
0.00 %
|
Christian Segments ▲ | Percent |
---|---|
Anglican |
0.0 %
|
Independent |
70.0 %
|
Orthodox |
0.0 %
|
Other Christian |
0.0 %
|
Protestant |
20.0 %
|
Roman Catholic |
10.0 %
|