Gurage, Kistane in Ethiopia
Photo Source:
Anonymous
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| People Name: | Gurage, Kistane |
| Country: | Ethiopia |
| 10/40 Window: | Yes |
| Population: | 314,000 |
| World Population: | 314,000 |
| Primary Language: | Kistane |
| Primary Religion: | Christianity |
| Christian Adherents: | 90.00 % |
| Evangelicals: | 3.30 % |
| Scripture: | Portions |
| Ministry Resources: | No |
| Jesus Film: | Yes |
| Audio Recordings: | Yes |
| People Cluster: | Ethio-Semitic |
| Affinity Bloc: | Horn of Africa Peoples |
| Progress Level: |
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Introduction / History
The Gurage people's ancestors were military conquers from the Aksumite Empire. They originated in the Tigray region. The Gurage people have subgroups, one of which is the Kistane. The Kistane Gurage speak Kistane rather than Sebat Bet Gurage like other Gurage subgroups.
What Are Their Lives Like?
Most Ethiopians like Kistane Geto Gurage people because of their entertaining dances and delicious food. They are known for their hard work, their ability to produce wealth, their willingness to help one another and their clannishness.
Most raise cattle for their milk, which they use to produce cheese and spiced butter. They also grow coffee, chat and ensete (false bananas) as cash crops. Their diet includes wheat, cabbage, and dairy products. They eat meat on special occasions. The Kistane Gurage consider it rude and vulgar to overeat.
Others are businessmen and traders. They are known for their ability to run prosperous businesses.
What Are Their Beliefs?
The Tai Lue are Theravada Buddhists. They believe that if they live good lives, they will be reborn into a higher social position, but if they are wicked, they will come back as degraded animals. At certain times the Tai Lue pay homage to the spirits of those who have contributed greatly to the well-being of their descendants. "Sacrifices are offered to the spirits [and] the village is shut in on itself; all roads and tracks giving access to the community are blocked with barricades of trees and branches the whole village is encircled with ropes made of straw or a line of white cotton thread, to represent symbolically an encircling wall preventing entry or exit. No outsiders of any description, not even monks or members of the elite ruling class, are permitted to attend these rites."
What Are Their Needs?
They have proven to be very resistant to the gospel. The Tai Lue New Testament was first translated in 1933 and reprinted in 1992 and 1996 for Tai Lue believers in China and Myanmar.
Prayer Points
Pray for the Holy Spirit to transform the Ethiopian Church so that it centers on Jesus Christ's person and teachings.
Pray for Kistane Gurage disciplers to make more disciples.
Pray for Kistane Gurage families to be abundantly blessed by a Christ-centered spiritual transformation.