Introduction / History

The Thur people, (pronounced eh-tour), live in northeastern Uganda, in the Abim District, a dry land with an undulating topography.

Ancestors of the Thurs came from Ethiopia and South Sudan. Many community members believe in ancestral spirits; they worship and fear big trees, old trees, and mountains, assuming they are sacred.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Thurs view their neighbors with suspicion because of ongoing cattle-raiding. As a minority among other groups, they feel insecure. Most are subsistence farmers who sell or exchange products with neighboring tribes. Some are potters and blacksmiths. Many are multilingual. More recently, Thurs have also spread to urban centers.

What Are Their Beliefs?

A majority of Thur-speaking people identify as Christians. Without God's Word in their language, however, many tend to follow the cultural practices of nonbelievers. About 40 percent adhere to the religion of the elders, known as Ametho. Those who follow Ametho disassociate themselves from Christians and their families. Their beliefs trap them in fear and lead to witchcraft as a source of protection and defense. They resist suggestions for solving problems or disagreements in a Christian way.

However, there is a Christian majority among them.

What Are Their Needs?

They have neither an established system of leadership nor a writing system to defend their culture and language. Alcohol abuse and immorality are common problems.

Prayer Items

Pray for the Holy Spirit to bring revival to Thur families and churches, spurring them on to love and good works.
Pray for many to become Christ’s ambassadors to those without the gospel.
Pray for the Lord to bless the Thurs physically and spiritually as a testimony of his power and goodness.
Pray for Thur husbands to love their wives as Christ loves the Church.

Scripture Prayers for the Thur in Uganda.

References

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