Shahari, Jibbali in Oman

Introduction / History

Speakers of the Shehri language reside in Dhofar (or Zufar) governate in extreme southwest Oman, on the border with Yemen. Roughly a third more live in Saudi Arabia. Dhofar is a somewhat mountainous area, and has Salalah as its capital city. Historically, this area was the largest producer of frankincense in the world.

Dhofar is the home area of several tribal peoples speaking a variety of South Arabian languages, and the Shehri, or Jeballi, language is one of those. The people are said to be increasingly bilingual in Dhofari Arabic, and the Shehari language is marked as threatened by the Ethnologue. The Shehri language is spoken by the Qara, Shahra, Barahama, Bait Ash-Shaik, and (some) Batahira, tribes.

The history of Dhofar is quite separate from that of the rest of Oman, looking west towards neighboring Yemen rather than north towards the Omani heartlands. Separated from pretty much everywhere else in the country by a thousand kilometers of stony desert, the region's history and identity have always been largely separate from that of the rest of the Sultanate. In antiquity, Dhofar boasted one of Arabia's oldest and most cosmopolitan cultures. The region was only finally brought under the control of the sultans of Muscat in the mid-nineteenth century.

What Are Their Lives Like?

The Shahari are nomads, in constant search for water, and their lives are difficult. Though romanticized in the West, the life of a nomad in the Arabian Peninsula means living on the edge of survival. They are very adept at finding water and taking care of the needs of their livestock.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The Shahari and associated tribes are Muslim, but retain a few traditional, animistic beliefs. There are no reported Christians among these tribes. Taking the gospel to them will require people who know how to survive in a hot, dry climate, who have love for nomads, and are willing to live without creature comforts.

What Are Their Needs?

Please pray for the youth of these tribes to be able to make needed adjustments to a rapidly changing world.

Please pray for gospel radio broadcasts to become available in Dhofari Arabic.

Pray the Lord will give a growing desire to know and follow Jesus Christ to all the tribes of Dhofar.

Pray for workers to have access to this land so that they can learn the ways of the Savior of humankind.

Prayer Points

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dhofar_Governorate
http://www.roughguides.com/destinations/middle-east/oman/dhofar/

Text Source:   Joshua Project