The Somali first appeared in Africa around 1200 A.D., and began expanding westward and southward about 150 years later. They converted to Islam around 1550, under the influence of Arab traders. Today, the Issa branch of the Somali represent the largest ethnic group in Djibouti and make up nearly one half of the country's total population. In 1884, the territory was occupied by France and given the name "French Somaliland." It was not until 1979 that independence was regained.

Bordered by Ethiopia and Somalia, Djibouti has been greatly affected by tensions between the two countries. Refugees from both Ethiopia and Somalia have fled to Djibouti since 1975.

What are their lives like?
Djibouti, a tiny republic, is one of the hottest places on Earth, with an average temperature of nearly 90 degrees F. The yearly rainfall is less than five inches, so vegetation is sparse.

Date palms are grown on some small plots of irrigated land, and there is a small fishing industry; but these do very little to help the struggling economy. Salt that has been extracted from the sea is Djibouti's only major resource. Almost all consumer goods must be imported. This impoverished nation is dependent on foreign aid for survival.

One-fourth of the Somali in Djibouti have continued living as nomadic shepherds, even though less than 10% of the land is suitable for grazing their cattle, sheep, and goats. Scorching heat, scarcity of water, and a shortage of grazing lands make life difficult for the nomads; however, poverty and an 80% unemployment rate plague those in the cities.

The Somali are usually characterized as being very individualistic; scornful of danger, hunger, or thirst; and constantly involved in blood feuds with other tribes and peoples. They speak the Somali language, although the official language of Djibouti is French.

Nomads generally live in branch-framed, portable huts. They are covered with woven mats or boiled bark that has been pulled into fine strands and plaited. These may be carried from place to place on camels. Quality housing is in short supply in the cities. Only about half of those in cities and 20% of the rural population have access to water. Malnutrition is severe, many have tuberculosis, and malaria is an epidemic.

The basic building block of Somali society is the family. Each man has the right to be married to four women. The divorce rate is high. The mother raises the children, although the father takes part in their religious training. Respect for one's elders and maintaining integrity are strongly emphasized.

What are their beliefs?
The Somali are Sunni Muslims, and their faith is an integral part of daily life. In the cities, groups inspired by the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood have appeared, establishing a more orthodox form of Islam and criticizing the government for its lack of moral standards.

Religious experts, or wadaads, are often sought out for blessings, charms, or advice in worldly matters.

What are their needs?
Life is difficult for both the city-dwellers and the nomads. Poor living conditions, a depressed economy, drought, malnutrition, and disease are among the problems the people face day after day. Educational opportunities are also extremely limited, with only 10% of school-age children receiving any education at all. There are no universities, and only about one-third of the adults can read.

The country's spiritual condition is just as dismal. Less than 2% of the 250,000 Somali in Djibouti are Christians. Only the Truth of the Gospel can set them free from the bondages of sin, sickness, and poverty.

Prayer Points

• Ask the Lord to raise up Christian teachers who will work among the Somali and share Christ's love with them.
• Pray that God will raise up prayer teams to go and break up the soil through worship and intercession.
• Ask God to grant favor and wisdom to the missions agencies that are targeting the Somali.
• Pray for effectiveness of the Jesus film among them.
• Ask God to anoint the Gospel as it goes forth via radio and television to the Somali.
• Pray that God will reveal Himself to them through dreams and visions.
• Ask the Holy Spirit to soften their hearts towards Christians so that they will be receptive to the Gospel.
• Ask the Lord to raise up strong local churches among the Somali.

THE PEOPLE

• People name: Somali
• Country: Djibouti
• Their language: Somali
• Population: (1990) 227,800
  (1995) 254,400
  (2000) 284,300
• Largest religion: Muslim (Shafiites) 98.7%
• Christians: 1.3%
• Church members: 3,307
• Scriptures in their own language: Bible
• Jesus Film in their own language: Available
• Christian broadcasts in their own language: Available
• Mission agencies working among this people: 3
• Persons who have heard the Gospel: 97,400 (39%) Those evangelized by local Christians: 18,600 (8%)
  Those evangelized from the outside: 78,800 (31%)
• Persons who have never heard the Gospel: 157,000 (61%)

• Country: Djibouti
• Population: (1990) 517,000
  (1995) 577,200
  (2000) 645,000
• Major peoples in size order: Somali 44%
  Danakil 35%
  Arab 11%
  French 4%
  Eurafrican 3%
• Major religions: Muslim 95.2%
  Christian 4%
  Nonreligious 0.5%
• Number of denominations: 6