Digo of Tanzania and Kenya
Population: 500,000
Location: SE Kenya and NE Tanzania
History: The Digo moved to their current location 1000 years ago. Historians disagree as to whether they migrated from Somalia or from Southern Africa. Originally they settled deep within sacred forests in order to worship ancestral spirits and to be safe from warring tribes. Islamic traders visited the coast of Africa as early as the 10th century and had contact with the Digo. The Portuguese explorers came in the 16th century. Many Digo converted to Islam in the 1920s.
Culture: The Digo are Bantu people. They are fishermen, farmers, basket weavers and potters.
Religion: Folk Islam and animism
Latest Prayer Updates:
One chapter a day
There is a Digo woman named Mwana Amina. She has requested to receive one chapter of the Bible, starting from the book of Matthew, in English via WhatsApp every day, and she reads it. This morning, she sent me a message saying, “Thank you, I have learned a lot today. I didn’t know all of it! God bless you.” Please pray for her that she loves and eagerly consumes the Word of God, and grows in her salvation.
Two Digo men
Two Digo men, one is named Juma, the other Ali. Juma stated that, having embraced Jesus as his Savior, he believes his faith will empower him to stand firm even if facing persecution from his Islamic neighbors. When Ali heard the Gospel, he accepted Jesus into his heart and openly confessed Him as his Savior, unaffected by the presence of his friends. Let’s pray for Juma and Ali to thrive in their faith, and encounter Christians who can support their growth in the Word of God.
