Mubi in Chad

Introduction / History

The Mubi are an agricultural community who live in the dry grasslands of south-central Chad. The Mubi live east of the Abou Telfane Mountains and south of the Massalit in the Prefecture Mangalme. They are divided into three cantons (political communities): Mubi Hadaba in the north, Mubi Zarga in the south and Mubi Goz in the east. They live in 135 small villages fortified by thorn hedges around the town of Mangalme.

What Are Their Lives Like?

The Mubi cultivate millet, sorghum, sesame, beans, cotton and peanuts. Their territory is regularly crossed by the Missiriye Arabs, with whom they exchange goods and services. The Mubi have taken up cattle raising since the 1960s. Each village has a herd, which is put in the care of a communal herdsman or a group of young men who take the animals to winter in the wadis (seasonally dry streambeds). They also raise goats, sheep, donkeys and horses. Draughts are common in the region where the Mubi live. If the rains fail, the Mubi can face starvation. Intermarriage is common with all neighboring ethnic groups, such as Masmadje, Birgit, Dadjo and Misirie. Brides from other ethnic groups have to learn the Mubi language. A majority of Mubi use Chadian Arabic as a second language for communication with people from other language groups.

What Are Their Beliefs?

All Mubi claim to be Sunni Muslims. Their Islam is heavily influenced by pre-Islamic folk religion. They try to obey the teachings of the Koran and the prophet Mohammad. Sunnis believe that by following the Five Pillars of Islam that they will attain heaven when they die. However, Allah, the supreme God of the universe, determines who enters paradise. Sunnis pray five times a day facing Mecca. They fast the month of Ramadan. They attend mosque services on Friday. If a Muslim has the means, he or she will make a pilgrimage to Mecca once in his or her lifetime. Muslims are also prohibited from drinking alcohol, eating pork, gambling, stealing, using deceit, slandering, and making idols. The two main holidays for Sunni Muslims are Eid al Fitr, the breaking of the monthly fast and Eid al Adha, the celebration of Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son to Allah.

What Are Their Needs?

The Mubi need a nearby sources of clean water. Women often have to walk long distances to get water for their families. Solar panels can provide electricity for cell phone and appliances. Teams can bring the blessings of modern medicine to the Mubi villages. Most of all, the Mubi need to hear the life changing message of Jesus Christ. There are few, if any, followers of Christ among them. At the time of this writing, no Christian resources are available in the Mubi language.

Prayer Points

Ask the Lord to send workers to the Mubi. Pray that the Bible and other resources are translated into the Mubi language. Pray the Lord leads teams of Christians to drill wells for the Mubi. Ask the Lord to raise up a growing church planting movement among the Mubi people of Chad.

Text Source:   Joshua Project