NUBI

"The Nubi originated in the Sudan and spread to various East African countries due to their involvement in the British army. Some also stayed when they escaped from slavers as they were being driven from their homes to the coast. They are mainly found in urban centres such as Nairobi, Eldama-Ravine, and Bumbo (Uganda). Today, the Nubi people work in both the private and public sectors. The women specialize in unique handicraft and hairdressing.

These people, are a fairly closed society and adapt slowly to ""foreign culture."" The Nubi culture is strongly valued as is demonstrated by their wedding ceremonies and special dress for women. Intermarriage with other tribes is uncommon and it is even less common to marry outside the Muslim religion. Preservation of culture is strong and training begins at a tender age. Respect for the elders is strictly observed by the young ones. The culture is passed on through daily attendance at the Muslim religious schools, the madrassa. Many Nubis attend madrassa rather than formal school education. Less than 40% has completed class eight. Very few have university training. This community faces a number of socio-economic and political problems that have reduced their self-esteem. The people live mainly in the slum areas where the electricity, water and sanitary conditions are poor. Families have difficulty paying school fees and this leads to school dropout and involvement in drug use. This problem is made worse by the urban surroundings. The Nubi people also face a problem where their land is being grabbed by the rich. They find themselves threatened and depressed.

The community is less than 10 percent Christian. Islam predominates. In the Kibera neighbourhood of Nairobi alone, there are eight mosques, all led by Nubis. The few Nubi Christians mix in with other tribes in the many Christian churches available. The Nubis do not have a Bible or even portions of the scripture in their mother tongue. The only available Bible is in Arabic and is purportedly understood by the Nubi, who, apparently can speak Nubi, Swahili and Arabic. About 80 percent of the Nubi population speak Nubi in their daily interactions."

• 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 3-6,000 persons (total pastors and evangelists 1 in Kenya)

Ratio of missionaries to population: (total missionaries 0 in Kenya)

Who is Jesus Christ to them?

< 3% Believe Jesus is the Son of God and are nominally Christians
< 1% Believe in the Son of God and have accepted Him as their Saviour
90% Believe Jesus is a Prophet, Teacher, Good Man, but not God's Son
6% Believe in local, traditional religion rather than in Jesus
1% Believe Jesus is a myth
0% Have never heard his name

2. HAVE THEY RESPONDED TO THE GOSPEL?

Only a small percentage have responded.

3. DO THEY HAVE A CHURCH?

Ratio of churches to population: 1 church for every ? persons (total churches - ???)

Total number of communities (cities, towns, villages): 1 church for every ? community (communities without church - ???)

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

No.

5. ANY HINDRANCES TO USE OF THE SCRIPTURE?

Literacy Rate: 40%
There are no known, active mission efforts directed specifically to the Nubi community.

6. WHAT OTHER FORMS OF GOSPEL PRESENTATIONS ARE AVAILABLE?

Recordings: Yes
Literature: No
Films: Yes
Radio: No
Video: No
Audio-Visual: No
Information about what is available in Uganda is unknown.

7. ARE THEY RECEPTIVE TO CHANGE AND TO CHRISTIANITY?

They are very slow to adopt changes

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

Yes, the Nubi Christians are not numerous enough to explain the gospel to the rest of their people on their own without assistance from others. However, Muslim Nubis are aware that sometimes help from outside comes with religious strings attached, and they react negatively to that."