Shanga in Nigeria

Introduction / History

The Shanga are an offshoot of the Kengawa people, with whom they comprised a part of the Songhai Empire from the thirteenth to sixteenth centuries. Moroccan invasions in the sixteenth century, however, forced the Shanga to relocate to Yauri as a place of refuge. Later invasions and slave raids caused the Shanga to retreat to their present-day location. The Shanga, or Shangawa, live on the banks and islands of the Niger River near the city of Shanga in northwestern Nigeria. Shanga district is located in Yauri division of Sokoto state, an area in which the Hausa also live. As a result, the Shanga are dominated by the more powerful Hausa. They speak their own language, also called Shanga.

What Are Their Lives Like?

The livelihood of the Shanga is based primarily upon agriculture, with fishing and trading being of secondary importance. They grow millet, guinea corn, and along the rivers, a variety of vegetables.

The Shanga district has three seasons. During the cold season, they repair their farms and compounds and visit friends. During the rainy season, temperatures are lower and the climate is pleasant. It’s the best time of year for fishing. During the hot season when temperatures are over 100 degrees F. they can’t get much work done.

While some Shanga marriages are arranged at birth, most Shanga have considerable freedom of choice when deciding upon a marriage partner. Selection often takes place during the inter-village wrestling matches, which are extremely important to the Shanga. A boy will begin wrestling when he reaches puberty and will continue until his first marriage.

Once a wife is chosen, the bride-service can begin. The young man must work with his work team (his wrestling partners) for seven years on the farm of the girl's father. As the service progresses, the young couple will earn more marriage rights. During the wedding the couple will follow traditional Islamic practices.

Some Shanga men have more than one wife, and a woman may decline marriage to a particular man. How much real choice she has depends upon her value, determined by her performance in any previous marriages. To the Shanga, a good wife is one who remains faithful, tends to the fields, cares for the children and shows proper modesty.

If a woman has been married over three years and has not conceived, she will go to a priest to obtain a magical aid, since children are important in Shanga life. Although children belong to the father's family, sons from the same mother tend to cluster together in play, work and wrestling.

In theory, family decisions are made by males; however, women have great influence in family matters. They may exercise that influence directly, or indirectly through adult sons. In Shanga society, great cooperation exists between men and women.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Many Shanga have converted to Islam, and the number of converts is increasing each year. Despite the Muslim label, the Shanga still are involved with traditional practices and beliefs. These involve the sacrifices of black animals such as oxen, goats and chickens to help cure illnesses or to provide aid in time of crisis.

What Are Their Needs?

The Shanga have few Christian resources available to them. The majority have not had an opportunity to hear the gospel. Missionaries need to be sent into their region. A significant portion of the Bible has been translated into Shanga in the past few years. Resident missionaries are needed.

Prayer Points

Pray for Shanga elders and family leaders to have dreams of the risen and righteous Christ.
Pray for many from the Shanga people to have the spiritual hunger it takes to find the Lord no matter what the cost.
Pray that the Lord will call strong Nigerian believers to share Christ with the Shanga.
Ask the Lord to raise up churches that will plant more churches among the Shanga.

Text Source:   Joshua Project