The Maba of Chad
Maba
Population: 300,000
Location: Mostly Eastern Chad and some in Sudan. The Maba are one of the largest non-Arab people groups in Chad. They are the dominant tribe of the Wadai mountains. The Wadai region is hot and dry most of the year, characterized by broad flat grasslands and plateaus.
History: Long ago the Maba overthrew the Christian Tunjur dynasty in Wadai and formed the backbone of the Islamic Wadai Empire, which dominated Eastern Chad in the 1800s. In modern Maba society, chiefs and members of the royal class still possess a high degree of prestige and power, although the French abolished the sultanate in 1912.
Culture: Although they are Muslims, people live in fear, using amulets and charms to ward off evil and sickness. They are primarily farmers, growing millet and wheat, as well as raising horses, goats, sheep, and chickens. The Sultan serves as head of state of the region and rules through governors and district chiefs. The Queen Mother is highly esteemed and has great influence.
Religion: Folk Islam
Latest Prayer Updates:
Weed seminar
Pray for us, we are hoping to hold our first seminar soon, mainly for women. This will be an interactive seminar helping people understand how to avoid a particularly damaging weed that reduces output. Pray that this will open up new relationships and opportunities to share other truths as well as help people farm more successfully.
Pray for permission from the authorities and all the practical details of setting it up.
Pray she comes
Pray for ‘Ruth’ who we have prayed for previously. On Friday, while a worker was visiting her, Ruth’s mother in law came and chased away the worker telling her to never return and citing local authorities (Islamic I assume) who don’t want Christians around. We had known that during Ramadan words had been said against us. Strangely, however, the lady said Ruth could come visit me. This morning we arranged by phone that she would come tomorrow. Pray she does so. In the past she made many promises to do so but didn’t come. Today she seemed eager. Pray for Ruth’s faith that this would strengthen her and not deter her. She seems to have been rather wobbly in her faith recently attending Islamic teaching and praying with actions as a Muslim where before she had stopped.
