DAASANACH

"The Daasanach are a people with a fairly recent history. Their ties to one another have resulted from a common place of residence rather than from heredity. Exiles from many groups around the area of north Lake Turkana have united in support of one another in this hostile, arid environment. They have developed a unique tradition and culture, and are open to the inclusion of other immigrants who are willing to abide by Daasanach customs and values.

Until the turn of this century very little was known of the Daasanach, sometimes called the Merille. At that time formal borders were created for many African countries, and the Daasanach found their traditional lands divided between Sudan, Ethiopia. and Kenya. Since then these semi-nomadic people have moved as freely as possible across the borders of these countries, but this movement is being more and more restricted by border posts and entry formalities.

The Daasanach are known for their fighting prowess and are feared by many neighboring groups such as the Gabbra and Turkana. Raids to obtain more cattle are celebrated, and Daasanach warriors are proud of the number of enemies they have killed. Their unique culture is valued, and the Daasanach are reluctant to adopt outside technology. Irrigation systems to aid in agriculture were introduced to this area by American missionaries in the 1960's, but these systems have been disregarded since foreigners were expelled from Ethiopia after the overthrow of Emperor Haile Selassie in 1974.

Today church work is being carried out in Kenya where only ten percent of the Daasanach people live. Here there are less than fifty Daasanach Christians. What is left of earlier church work in Ethiopia is unknown."

• Country: Kenya
• Percent Christian: 82.1%
• Percent Evangelical: 34%
• Population (Year): 30.8 million (1995)
• Major Religion: Christianity
• Openness to Missionaries: Open"

1. HAVE THEY HEARD THE GOSPEL?

Ratio of pastors/evangelists to population: 1 pastor or evangelist for every 30,000 persons (total pastors and evangelists--1)

Ratio of Missionaries to population: 1 missionary for every 7,5OO persons (total missionaries 4)

Who is Jesus Christ to them ?

0.5% Believe Jesus is the Son of God and are nominally Christians
14% Believe Jesus is a Prophet, Teacher, a Good Man, but not God's Son
10% Believe Jesus is a myth
75% Have never heard His name

2. HAVE THEY RESPONDED TO THE GOSPEL?

1 believer to every 4,286 persons (total believers about 40)

3. DO THEY HAVE A CHURCHE

Ratio of churches to population: 1 church for every 30,000 persons (total churches - 1 in Kenya/2 in Ethiopia)

Total number of communities (cities, towns ,villages): 1 church for every ??? community

4. DO THEY HAVE THE WORD OF GOD TRANSLATED INTO THEIR MOTHER TONGUE?

No

5. ANY HINDRANCES TO SCRIPTURE DISTRIBUTION?

Literacy Rate: 1%
Lack of literacy and difficulty of access to Ethiopia

6. WHAT OTHER FORMS OF GOSPEL PRESENTATIONS ARE AVAILABLE?

Recordings: yes
Radio: in Swahili-English only
Literature: no
Video: no
Films: no
Audiovisual: no

7. ARE THEY RECEPTIVE TO CHANGE AND TO CHRISTIANITY?

The Daasanach are proud of their culture and traditions and are quite resistant to change.

8. IS OUTSIDE (CROSS-CULTURAL) ASSISTANCE REQUIRED FROM MISSlONARIES?

Due to their tendency to resist outside influence the Daasanach will need significant outside contact by those who are willing to live out Christianity in practical ways. Some economic development such as well construction might be useful, in addition to the existing fishing cooperative, to demonstrate concern for their welfare and the value of other ideas and practices. Literacy work and the completion of the Bible translation project along with evangelism and discipleship are essential."