HAUSA

"Originally from Nigeria, a small number of this people group can be found in the People's Republic of the Congo. Atacora and Borgou provinces are the main areas where the Hausa can be found. Knowledge of Islam was first introduced to the Hausa when merchants of the Malinke kingdom came to Hausa country in the early fourteenth century. Islam grew ever since king Yayi of Kano converted and today it is as much a part of their culture as it is their religion.

A primarily agricultural society, crops such as millet, sorghum, beans, peas, maize, manioc, and peanuts are grown. Men do most of the agricultural work and are occasionally assisted by the women.

In the forest land is cleared by the man (usually near a stream or some other source of water supply) for farming purposes. His wife will then take the produce to the market to be sold. As he grows in wealth he will marry again; the second wife helping with agricultural duties. As his family grows he will build more huts. Other men may also come to settle in this area and pretty soon a village is born.

Also referred to as the ""house mother"", the first wife is the chief wife. Wives are considered to be more than worthwhile investments as they assist with the agricultural work and sell the produce. In the case of a wife leaving her husband the husband will simply enforce the back payment of the bride price from her parents. An unmarried person is looked down upon. Being called ""a man with a broom"", obviously because he has to do his own household duties, a bachelor is the butt of countless jokes.

Family and friends will come together to mourn the death of a family member. Mourning usually continues for one full day after the death of a person. Wrapped in a shroud, the body is buried in a sitting position. Division of inheritance is done after the funeral and strictly according to Islamic law."

• Country: Congo
• Population (year): 2.3 million (1995)
• Major Religion: Christian
• Percent Christian: 85.4%
• Percent Evangelical: 18.2%
• Openness to Missionaries: Open"

"1. HAVE THEY HEARD THE GOSPEL?

Who is Jesus Christ to them? 1% Believe Jesus is the Son of God

2. HAVE THEY RESPONDED TO THE GOSPEL?

Believers to population: 1 believer to every 100 persons. (total believers - 54)(1%)

3. DO THEY HAVE A CHURCH?

Churches to population: 1 church for every 5 400 persons. (total churches - 0)

There are no indigenous Hausa churches.

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

Yes.

5. ANY HINDRANCES TO SCRIPTURE DISTRIBUTION?

The poor infra structure of the country and the remoteness of some villages make distribution a difficult task.

6. WHAT OTHER FORMS OF GOSPEL PRESENTATIONS ARE AVAILABLE?

Literature: No
Recordings: Yes
Radio: No
Film: Jesus Film

7. ARE THEY OPEN TO CHANGE AND TO CHRISTIANITY?

As Islam is very much a part of their culture the Hausa is resistant to the gospel.

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

Yes."