Muslim UPGs of the Nuba Mountains
Population: About 2.8 million
The total population of the Nuba Mountain region is approximately 4.2 million. It is estimated that over a million Nuba are internally displaced, and many have fled to neighboring countries, others have permanently resettled in the North.
Location and Background:The Nuba mountains are located in South Kordofan State in Central Sudan. It is a remote and inaccessible area; traditionally a place of refuge for people fleeing oppression.
History: Nuba people are comprised of perhaps more than 90 different ethnic groups with unique language and culture. Out of more than 90 tribes 60 remain Unreached and Unengaged. There has been enmity between Nuba peoples and the ruling Arab Sudanese for a long time.
The Nuba Mountain Region of Sudan has experienced conflict and crisis for many years, with fighting between the Sudanese government forces and the Sudan Liberation Movement (SPLM). The conflict has resulted in widespread displacement, food insecurity and human rights abuses.
In the current war crisis in Khartoum, over 400,000 Sudanese and Nubans have fled to Nuba Mountains for refuge, with mixed flow movement projected to continue to rise if the conflict expands.
Culture: Nuba people practice farming during the rainy season and raise livestock, mainly cattle and goats. They grow crops such as maize and sorghum cultivated without irrigation.
They are known for their traditional wrestling competition, which is still common practice in the community and promotes their culture as well as individuals’ personal strength and village pride.
Religion: Islam
Nuba Mountain partnerships
We are at our GNAC conference in Yida, South Sudan. This year’s conference offers a unique opportunity to witness what God is doing through His Church in the Nuba Mountains and to foster deeper collaboration in both gospel action and proclamation. We are focused on seeing the transformation of the Nuba Mountains through the gospel, education, capacity building, and relief work. Mainly focused on reaching UPG’s.
Pray for local missionaries, laboring in hard places, to be refreshed and encouraged and to leave the gathering knowing that they are not alone. We have a lot of new partners this year, pray everyone leaves with a sense of how they fit into the overall vision and practical next steps.
On Saturday, a small group of us will travel up into the Nuba mountains visiting a Bible translation center, which is working on 30 unreached people group languages, and then on to Kauda to visit an agricultural project and a possible location for a leadership development course. Pray for God’s blessings on these projects.
Major accident!
Urgent: Please pray! We just heard that 27 students from the Heiben area of Nuba Mts on their way to take exams in another location (they have to travel far) were in a major accident and were injured. Please pray for help, healing, and ability to still make their exams.
