The Neem of Chad
Neem
Population: 300,000
Location: Mostly Eastern Chad and some in Sudan. The Neem 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 Neem 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 Neem 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:
Interested
Pray for Ham’ and Mool’ who are interested in Jesus Christ. May the Holy Spirit work in their lives and draw them to Jesus.
Pray for Abe and Abdullah
There are fewer members of the team around owing to my home assignment and the harvest season, which means that it is not easy to follow up and disciple people. Pray for Abe, a blind older man who was listening to the word with me. He has a solar powered audio player which he seems to be enjoying. “Abdullah” borrowed it from him for a few days and said it was truth! I supplied another for him but left before I could find out whether he took it. Pray for them both that the truth will touch their hearts. Nobody was prepared to follow up with Abe because he lives too far away.
