Kagoma in Nigeria
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| People Name: | Kagoma |
| Country: | Nigeria |
| 10/40 Window: | Yes |
| Population: | 50,000 |
| World Population: | 50,000 |
| Primary Language: | Gyong |
| Primary Religion: | Christianity |
| Christian Adherents: | 78.00 % |
| Evangelicals: | 12.00 % |
| 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
Gyong, also known by the names Kagoma, Agoma, Gwong, and Kwong, is a stable indigenous language of Nigeria belonging to the Niger-Congo family. The people call themselves Gyong, which means ‘multitude.’ Hausa people had a hard time pronouncing this word, so they called them Kagoma. During the colonial period, local languages were looked down upon. But in more recent years the government has placed more value on the indigenous languages and people are recovering their cultural identities.
Gyong is spoken in the Godogodo district of the Jema’a LGA (Local Government Areas) in the southern part of Kaduna State.
What Are Their Lives Like?
Agriculture is the major occupation of the Kagoma people. They live on savannah grasslands that have some trees. The wet season runs from November to April, and the dry season from April to October.
They grow maize, rice, beans, corns, guinea corn and millet. Cotton and peanuts (groundnuts) are common cash crops.
What Are Their Beliefs?
Nearly all of the Kagoma people profess Christianity. Many of the local denominations are evangelical, believing that the Gospel message consists of the doctrine of salvation by grace alone, solely through faith in the atoning work of Jesus Christ.
What Are Their Needs?
Gyong is thought to be the first language used by all in the ethnic community. It is not taught in schools. Kagoma children struggle with English in school. A study conducted in 2009 through 2010 indicates that their mother tongue’s grammatical system interferes with the acquisition and use of a second language. A more in-depth survey needs to be conducted to assess the multilingualism of the people and in what domains Gyong, English, Hausa, and neighboring languages are being used.
Evangelism tools, church planting resources, Christian songs and audio Bible study material are available for free download at globalrecordings.net under the name Kagoma. Community leaders, who may be interested in further language development to preserve their language, could attend available workshops that would expose them to language vitality and potential short-term development and translation projects.
Prayer Points
Pray that the Kagoma people will access the Bible stories available online to grow in their Christian faith.
Pray Kagoma community and church leaders will pursue further oral or written translation projects to provide their people with more of God’s Word in their heart language.