People group profile · PG013838
The Icen of Nigeria
The Icen of Nigeria, numbering about 101,000 people, are No Longer Unreached. They are a Jukunoid people of Nigeria's Taraba State whose oral tradition traces a migration from Yemen through Mecca, Egypt, and Borno before settling the Benue Valley around 900 AD, traditionally governed through power shared across clans rather than one throne.
They are an indigenous people in the Benue people cluster of the Sub-Saharan African Peoples. Their primary religion is Neo-Pentecostalism, and they primarily speak Etkywan.
Fast facts
- Country
- Nigeria
- Population
- 101,000
- Affinity group
- Sub-Saharan African Peoples
- People cluster
- Benue
- Primary language
- Etkywan (ich)
- Primary religion
- Neo-Pentecostalism
- Strategic Progress Index ?
- No Longer Unreached
- Evangelical
- 2% or Greater but Less than 5%
- GSEC ?
- 2% or Greater but Less than 5% Evangelical
- Lostness priority ?
- Marginally Reached People Group
- Region
- Western Africa, Africa
Where they live
Gospel status
The Icen are No Longer Unreached, which means 2% or more are evangelical Christians. In GSEC terms, this people group is greater than or equal to 2% evangelical.
- Congregations exist Yes
- Church planting in the last two years No Churches Planted
Next steps for the Icen
- Pray for the churches among this group to grow in faithfulness and maturity
- Equip believers to reach the unreached peoples around them
- Send out laborers from this people to the nations
Primary religion
Neo-Pentecostalism · Christianity
65% adherents
Primary language
Etkywan · Atlantic-Congo family
100% speak Etkywan
Gospel resources in Etkywan
- Bible available, published 2016
- JESUS Film available
- Radio programs not available
- Gospel recordings available
- Audio resources available
- Bible stories available
Films
- JESUS (Ichen)
Find more at the JESUS Film Project, Bible.com and Faith Comes by Hearing.
Pray for the Icen
- 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.
- Matthew 9:37–38. Ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest field.
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