EL MOLO

"Numbering less than 200 people, the El Molo live on two small islands in the southeastern corner of Lake Turkana. Of the 200 people only 8 still speak the original El Molo language, everyone of them being over 50 years old. Today the El Molo has, to a large extend, been incorporated into the Samburu culture, speaking the Samburu language.

Molo means man and the Masai-Samburu plural prefix il was later added. Oral tradition suggests that the El Molo originally lived near the northern tip of Lake Turkana. Raiders attacked their defenceless village, killing the women and children left by the men who went on a fishing journey. Fearful that the raiders may return, the men with the few survivors left and set out in a southerly direction till they reached what is today known as El-Molo Bay. According to legend, the El Molo once owned livestock in the form of hippopotamus, crocodile, and turtle. However, a careless woman dropped her pot in the lake. Afraid of loosing it, she sent all these animals into the lake to retrieve the pot. Having entered the water, these animals never returned and that is how the El Molo lost their livestock.

Living on the two small islands, the El Molo is a fishing community. Men also hunt birds and game, including turtle, crocodile and hippopotamus. Four methods of hunting are used: harpooning, netting, hook and line, and the Turkana basket fishing trap.

Interlaced Acacia branches covered with palm leaves, reeds, and grass form the typical dome shaped El Molo huts. A rapidly changing culture, many El Molo living near Loiyangalani are turning to wage employment. Others are turning to commercial fishing to supplement their traditional subsistence."

• 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?

Who is Jesus Christ to them: 3% Believe Jesus is the Son of God

2. HAVE THEY RESPONDED TO THE GOSPEL?

Believers to population: 1 believer to every 33 persons (total believers - 200)(3%)

3. DO THEY HAVE A CHURCH?

There are no indigenous El Molo churches.

4. DOES THIS PEOPLE HAVE THE WORD OF GOD TRANSLATED INTO THEIR MOTHER TONGUE?

No.

5. ANY HINDRANCES TO SCRIPTURE DISTRIBUTION?

The El Molo live in an inhospitable desert region.

6. WHAT OTHER FORMS OF GOSPEL PRESENTATIONS ARE AVAILABLE?

Radio: No
Literature: No

7. ARE THEY RECEPTIVE TO CHANGE AND TO CHRISTIANITY?

The changing culture may prove to be a changing in attitude towards Christianity as well.

8. DO THEY REQUIRE OUTSIDE (CROSS-CULTURAL) ASSISTANCE?

Yes, evangelism is an earnest need."