Bua in Chad
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Map Source:
Joshua Project / Global Mapping International
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| People Name: | Bua |
| Country: | Chad |
| 10/40 Window: | Yes |
| Population: | 27,000 |
| World Population: | 27,000 |
| Primary Language: | Bua |
| Primary Religion: | Ethnic Religions |
| Christian Adherents: | 0.10 % |
| Evangelicals: | 0.08 % |
| Scripture: | Translation Started |
| Ministry Resources: | No |
| Jesus Film: | No |
| Audio Recordings: | Yes |
| People Cluster: | Adamawa-Ubangi |
| Affinity Bloc: | Sub-Saharan Peoples |
| Progress Level: |
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Introduction / History
The Bua are nomads who live in the middle or Sahel section of the central African country of Chad. They are traditionally herders of animals and subsistence farmers. The Sahel is a dry grassland region south of the Sahara Desert in the north of Chad and north of the agricultural region with abundant rainfall in southern Chad. The Sahel receives between 12 and 30 inches of rain each year. The Bua in the Sahel face starvation and the death of their animals during the draught years with no or little rain.
What Are Their Lives Like?
Most Bua roam central Chad searching for water and green plants for their camels, goats, cattle, and sheep. If the Bua cannot find water and grass for their animals as during draught years, they have no other way of supporting themselves. The nomadic lifestyle of the Bua makes them particularly difficult to reach with the good news of Jesus Christ. Most Bua children do not attend school. From an early age children work with their parents to support their families. Some Bua live a settled life. Since no irrigation water is available, farmers are totally dependent on intermittent rainfall. Cotton is a cash crop. The Bua sell raw cotton, clothing, and rugs to obtain cash to buy things they cannot make for themselves such a cell phones, appliances, radios and TVs.
What Are Their Beliefs?
The Bua were forced into becoming Muslims at the beginning of the 20th century. Most Bua now practice folk religion with some following a mixture of Islam and animism. A tiny fraction of the Bua claim to be followers of Jesus Christ.
What Are Their Needs?
There has been some useful contact between the Bua and the Chadian government workers who are Christians. There is a need for Bible translation. They speak their own Bua language. Only Audio Bible Recordings are currently available in the Bua language. There is an ongoing project to translate the Bible into Bua.
Prayer Points
Pray that the Chadian Christians who the Bua are in contact with will lead them to Jesus Christ. Pray that God will give the Bua dreams and visions leading them to salvation. Pray that Bua parents will be able to provide for their children. Pray that modern medical care and schools become available to the Bua. Pray that every Bua person will have the opportunity to hear a clear presentation of the gospel. Pray that many will respond to the one, true God and become his forgiven children.