People group profile · PG011644
The Somalis of Ethiopia
The Somalis of Ethiopia, numbering about 8,300,000 people, are Engaged yet Unreached. They are a culturally rich and historically significant Cushitic ethnic group, known for their nomadic traditions, Sunni Muslim faith, and influential role in the Horn of Africa's socio-political landscape.
They are a diaspora people in the Somali people cluster of the Horn of Africa Peoples. Their primary religion is Sunni Islam, and they primarily speak Somali.
Fast facts
- Country
- Ethiopia
- Population
- 8,300,000
- Affinity group
- Northern African and Middle Eastern Peoples
- People cluster
- Somali
- Primary language
- Somali (som)
- Primary religion
- Sunni Islam
- Strategic Progress Index
- Engaged yet Unreached
- Evangelical
- Less than 2%
- GSEC
- Less than 2% Evangelical, No Recent CP Activity
- Lostness priority
- Frontier Unreached People Group
- Region
- Eastern Africa, Africa
Where they live
Gospel status
The Somalis are Engaged yet Unreached, which means fewer than 2% are evangelical Christians, but there are sustained efforts to establish self-sustaining churches consistent with evangelical faith and practice. In GSEC terms, this people group is less than 2% evangelical, some evangelical resources are available, but there has been no active church planting among them within the past two years.
- Congregations exist Yes
- Church planting in the last two years No Churches Planted
Next steps for the Somalis
- Continue prayer and fasting for this group
- Continue gospel seed sowing and church planting among this group
- Begin training up local leaders to lead and develop strategies to reach their own people
Primary religion
Sunni Islam · Islam
99% adherents
Primary language
Somali · Afro-Asiatic family
100% speak Somali
Gospel resources in Somali
- Bible available
- JESUS Film available
- Radio programs not available
- Gospel recordings available
- Audio resources available
- Bible stories not available
Films
- Magdalena (Somali)
Bibles
- SIM Version · audio, text
- Society for International Ministries, 2008 · audio, text
Find more at the JESUS Film Project, Bible.com and Faith Comes by Hearing.
Pray for the Somalis
- Matthew 9:37–38. Ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest field.
- 2 Timothy 2:2. Pray for faithful local leaders who will teach others, so that the church multiplies.
- Ephesians 5:8. Pray that those walking in darkness will turn to the light and live as children of light.
- Romans 10:14–15. Ask God to send messengers, so that people can hear, believe and call on the name of the Lord.
Somali in other countries
The same people (ROP3 109392) is reported in 15 other countries.
| People group | Country | Population | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Somalis | Somalia | 13,740,000 | Engaged yet Unreached |
| Somalis | Kenya | 3,335,000 | Engaged yet Unreached |
| Somalis | Yemen | 1,245,000 | Engaged yet Unreached |
| Somalis | Djibouti | 625,000 | Engaged yet Unreached |
| Somalis | United States | 163,000 | Engaged yet Unreached |
| Somalis | United Kingdom | 143,000 | Engaged yet Unreached |
| Somalis | United Arab Emirates | 111,000 | Unengaged and Unreached |
| Somalis | Sweden | 81,000 | Unengaged and Unreached |
| Somalis | Saudi Arabia | 77,500 | Unengaged and Unreached |
| Somalis | Tanzania | 71,000 | Unengaged and Unreached |
| Somalis | Canada | 67,000 | Unengaged and Unreached |
| Somalis | Eritrea | 53,500 | Unengaged and Unreached |
| Somalis | Netherlands | 41,000 | Unengaged and Unreached |
| Somalis | Italy | 13,500 | Engaged yet Unreached |
| Somalis | Sudan | 2,500 | Unengaged and Unreached |
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