Bitare, Yukutare in Nigeria
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| People Name: | Bitare, Yukutare |
| Country: | Nigeria |
| 10/40 Window: | Yes |
| Population: | 80,000 |
| World Population: | 92,000 |
| Primary Language: | Bitare |
| Primary Religion: | Christianity |
| Christian Adherents: | 98.00 % |
| Evangelicals: | 33.00 % |
| Scripture: | Translation Needed |
| Ministry Resources: | No |
| Jesus Film: | No |
| Audio Recordings: | Yes |
| People Cluster: | Benue |
| Affinity Bloc: | Sub-Saharan Peoples |
| Progress Level: |
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Introduction / History
Bitare (aka Njwande or Yukutate) is considered the second largest Tivoid language of the Niger-Congo family. Bitare is spoken near the town of Baissa in Sardauna LGA (Local Government Areas) in Taraba State, Nigeria. Some speakers may also be found across the border in Cameroon.
What Are Their Lives Like?
The major occupation is agriculture. They grow maize, rice, sorghum, millet, and cassava. Their cash crops include coffee, tea, ground nuts, cotton, and yams. They also herd cattle, sheep, and goats. Some breed rabbits and pigs. Communities along rivers fish all year round. Other make a living through pottery, cloth-weaving, dyeing, mat-making, carving, embroidery and blacksmithing.
What Are Their Beliefs?
The vast majority of Bitare speakers are Christians. Local denominations tend to focus more on social issues rather than personal salvation.
What Are Their Needs?
Bitare is considered a vigorously oral language. It is believed to be used as the first language by all in the ethnic community. Survey work needs to be conducted to assess the multilingualism of the Bitare people and in what domains Bitare, English, Hausa, and neighboring languages are being used. Audio-visual Bible lessons can be found at globalrecordings.net under the name Njwande. These provide a Bible overview from creation to Christ, and teaching on the Christian life to be used for evangelism and church planting. Community leaders may be interested in further language development to preserve their language. Workshops are available that that would expose participants to language vitality and potential short-term development and translation projects.
Prayer Points
Pray Bitare people will access the Bible stories available online to grow in their Christian faith.
Pray Bitare community and church leaders will pursue oral or written translation projects to provide their people with God’s word in their heart language.