Bodi in Ethiopia

Introduction / History

The traditional name of the Bodi people is Me’en. They live in southern Ethiopia. They have a creation myth which involves their ancestors emerging from a hole in the ground.

What Are Their Lives Like?

The Bodi people have an economy that mixes farming with pastoralism. Those in the highland are farmers while those in the lowlands are livestock herders. Both groups get fresh water from springs in the highlands, so they don’t boil their water. Various grains make up their staple foods; corn, sorghum, barley and t’eff, from which they make the famous bread. They also grow beans, peas, peppers and sugarcane. They rarely grow enough to sell to others.

They don’t have public transportation; instead they travel by mule and horse. That means they seldom travel far from their homeland.

One thing that makes them unique is a yearly contest where single men fatten themselves up by drinking milk mixed with blood and sometimes honey. Since the cattle are sacred, they don’t kill them for the blood; they just cut the animal, then extract blood. However, when they are ready for the special ceremony, they kill one cow. During the ceremony, they determine which man is fattest, and he is given special honor. Ironically, their women have a reputation for their beauty and their elaborate hairstyles.

The Bodi also have a reputation for being fierce fighters like the nearby tribes. They often fight one another, especially after drinking homemade beer.

What Are Their Beliefs?

They have given their cattle a sacred place in their hearts.

Though there is a Christian presence among the Bodi people today, they have traditional beliefs in a sky god named Tuma and a holy dog who intercedes to Tuma on their behalf. Tuma is also their god of fertility and rain. They believe in a variety of spirits that they must appease or face curses. They have spirit mediums to deal with the spirit world.

What Are Their Needs?

The Bodi people need public transportation. More importantly, they need better agricultural practices. Their land has the potential for a much higher yield than they have today.

Prayer Points

Pray for the Bodi people to put all their hope and faith in the Lord of lords, understanding that he is their only recourse.
Pray for the Lord to send them people who can help them get higher yields.
Pray that soon Bodi disciples will be making more disciples.
Pray for a Holy Spirit revival to hit all of southern Ethiopia.

Text Source:   Joshua Project