Introduction / History

The Arra people live in six villages in the Nuba Mountains of South Kordofan State in Sudan. They are part of the wider Nuba peoples, a collection of many distinct ethnic groups who share a mountainous homeland but maintain separate identities, languages, and traditions.

Like many Nuba groups, the Arra have a history rooted in small, localized communities shaped by agriculture, clan relationships, and relative isolation. Their identity is closely tied to their land and village life, with limited outside documentation about their early origins.

What Are Their Lives Like?

The Arra are primarily subsistence farmers and herders. They grow staple crops such as sorghum and corn, which form the basis of their diet, and they care for livestock that provide food, income, and social value.

Life in the Nuba Mountains is physically demanding, with families relying on seasonal rains and cooperative labor to sustain crops and animals. Villages are typically small and tightly connected, with daily routines centered on farming, food preparation, and maintaining livestock. Their lifestyle reflects the broader Nuba pattern of resilience in a rural and often difficult environment.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The Arra people are Muslim, identifying with Sunni Islam. At the same time, they continue to practice traditional animistic beliefs alongside Islam.

This blending of Islamic faith with older spiritual practices reflects a form of syncretism, where belief in Allah coexists with traditional views of spiritual forces, rituals, and influences tied to the natural and ancestral world.

What Are Their Needs?

The Arra face significant practical challenges. Community leaders report that there are no schools or medical facilities in their villages, creating serious gaps in education and healthcare.

Their location in the Nuba Mountains also places them in a region affected by instability, limited infrastructure, and periodic food insecurity.

Spiritually, they remain unreached. There is little to no access to Scripture or consistent Christian witness. Their syncretistic beliefs indicate both a strong religious identity and a lack of clear exposure to the gospel. Focused, long-term engagement is needed to bring both practical help and a clear message of Christ.

Prayer Items

Pray that the Arra people would be freed from spiritual confusion and come to understand the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Ask God to raise up faithful workers who are willing to go to the Arra and serve them with perseverance and love.
Pray that the Arra would be adopted through the People Group Adoption program, leading to sustained prayer and intentional gospel outreach.
Pray that, as individuals come to faith, they would grow in maturity and disciple others within their villages.

Scripture Prayers for the Arra in Sudan.

References

https://peoplegroups.org/people_groups/pg050407/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuba_peoples