Gumuz People

gumuz1 The GUMUZ are a people group numbering about 60,000, the majority of whom live in the remote area of Ethiopia north of Blue Nile River. They are a Nilo-Saharan lowland people who are viewed with suspicion and some fear by the dominant highland tribes around them. Being a traditional hunter-gatherer society means that the Gumuz have never had large herds of cattle nor have they ever developed very sophisticated agricultural practices.

They have been oppressed and despised by the neighboring people of the highland tribes and have experienced the brutality of being sold into slavery. As a result they have never had the opportunity for education which as in turn put them at even more of a disadvantage with their neighbors.

The lifestyle for the bulk of the Gumuz remains simple, just living off the fertile land that they have inhabited for centuries. In terms of religion, they are animistic and live under the fear of evil spirits and the dictates of the local witchdoctors who wield such heavy influence in the tribe. Now, their land is being encroached upon by the highland farmers who are in search of more and more land to farm and settle because of the overpopulation in the highlands. Praise God for the opportunity we have received if being invited to live in Gumuz land and help them prepare for the cultural shifts that modernization will bring to their tribe. SIM will be heavily involved in education by doing basic literacy work both among children and adults. But even greater is the opportunity to respond to the tremendous openness to the Gospel that has been shown among these people. Pray for the Gumuz team as they help the Gumuz cross from darkness to light.

gumuz2

Now, their land is being encroached upon by the highland farmers who are in search of more and more land to farm and settle because of the overpopulation in the highlands. Praise God for the opportunity we have received if being invited to live in Gumuz land and help them prepare for the cultural shifts that modernization will bring to their tribe

SIM will be heavily involved in education by doing basic literacy work both among children and adults. But even greater is the opportunity to respond to the tremendous openness to the Gospel that has been shown among these people. Pray for the Gumuz team as they help the Gumuz cross from darkness to light.