Cameroon's ethnic diversity and many languages and dialects are legacies left by the long line of nomadic peoples who have passed through the country. Because so many of Cameroon's tribes live a semi-nomadic lifestyle, the Cameroon government has met with little success in its quest for national unity.

What Are Their Lives Like?
The Baggara generally move their herds two times a year. During the dry season (October to April), the herds are moved south to the river lands. When the rains come, the herds are moved north to the grasslands.

Baggara towns are composed of small compounds grouped according to male family and tribal lines. Baggara men frequently have one wife who may live in the nomadic camp and another who lives in the village or town. Baggara women build the mud brick and thatched roof houses plus any other structures connected with the house. Men build the sun shelters they use for eating and entertaining while tending cattle.

The roles of men and women are strictly separated. Women are responsible for all of the household work and are the primary caretakers of the children. They also milk the cows, which not only provides the family with dairy products, but by selling the products women earn extra income—which they control.

Men manage and market the cattle; they also plant and harvest crops of millet, yams, plantains, and cassava melons. Young boys herd calves and small stock. All children attend school, although girls usually withdraw after about six years.

Baggara dress symbolizes a person's importance. Most men wear a large cotton garment called a boubou. Prominent men wear either white or blue turbans, with the size of the turban indicating the importance of the man. Men usually strap a dagger to their upper arms; they also wear small, rectangular leather cases around their necks or strapped to their belts and arms. These cases contain verses from the holy Koran.

Married women wear veils covering their shoulders and upper bodies, plus head kerchiefs wrapped like turbans. The women wear numerous anklets, bracelets, and necklaces as well as a series of earrings outlining the entire earlobe.

What Are Their Beliefs?
The Baggara of Cameroon are passive Sunni Muslims who observe the "five pillars of faith" (declare the faith of Islam, say daily prayers, give alms, fast, and make the pilgrimage to Mecca).

Almost any occasion—the arrival of a visitor, unexpected good fortune, or someone returning from a trip—is an excuse for a communal feast. Betrothal, marriage, and moving the newlyweds to their new residence calls for a major celebration. It also offers the young people an opportunity for courting. The death of a close relative requires a forty day mourning period, which is followed by a feast.

What Are Their Needs?
Christianity is considered the major religion in Cameroon and the second largest religion is Islam. However, the Baggara of Cameroon are Muslims, and there are no known Baggara Christians at this time. Currently, no missions agencies are working among the Baggara, but the New Testament, the Jesus film, and Christian radio broadcasts are all available in the Badawi language.

Prayer Points

• Pray that God will supply qualified linguists to complete the translation of the Bible into Badawi.
• Ask the Holy Spirit to soften the hearts of the Baggara towards Christians so that they will be receptive to the Gospel.
• Pray for the effectiveness of the Jesus film among Baggara.
• Ask the Holy Spirit to anoint the Gospel as it goes forth via radio to the Baggara.
• Pray that God will begin revealing Himself to these precious people through dreams and visions.
• Take authority over the principalities and powers that are keeping the Baggara bound in spiritual darkness.
• Pray that God will raise up prayer teams who will begin breaking up the soil through worship and intercession.
• Ask the Lord to bring forth a triumphant Baggara church for the glory of His name!

See also:
The Shuwa Arabs (Cluster Profile).

THE PEOPLE

• People name: Shuwa Arab
• Country: Cameroon
• Their language: Badawi
• Population: (1990) 101,600
  (1995) 116,700
  (2000) 134,400
• Largest religion: Muslim (Malikite) 99.9%
• Christians: <1%
• Church members: 23
• Scriptures in their own language: New Testament
• Jesus Film in their own language: Available
• Christian broadcasts in their own language: Available
• Mission agencies working among this people: 0
• Persons who have heard the Gospel: 32,700 (28%) Those evangelized by local Christians: 3,500 (3%)
  Those evangelized from the outside: 29,200 (25%)
• Persons who have never heard the Gospel: 84,000 (72%)

• Country: Cameroon
• Population: (1990) 11,525,800
  (1995) 13,233,300
  (2000) 15,244,900
• Major peoples in size order: Adamawa Fulani 8.6%
  Ewondo 8.1%
  Cameroonian Creole 5.8%
  Bulu Fang 4%
  Bamileke-Bandjoun 3%
• Major religions: Christian 63 7%
  Muslim 24.3%
  Ethnic religionist 10.6%
• Number of denominations: 37