People group profile · PG042720
The Jima of Ethiopia
The Jima of Ethiopia, numbering about 133,000 people, are Unengaged and Unreached. They are a major regional division of the Oromo people centered in the Jimma area of southwestern Ethiopia, historically associated with the Kingdom of Jimma and the broader Gibe region.
They are an indigenous people in the Oromo people cluster of the Horn of Africa Peoples. Their primary religion is Sunni Islam, and they primarily speak Borana-Arsi-Guji Oromo.

Fast facts
- Country
- Ethiopia
- Population
- 133,000
- Affinity group
- Northern African and Middle Eastern Peoples
- People cluster
- Oromo
- Primary language
- Borana-Arsi-Guji Oromo (gax)
- Primary religion
- Sunni Islam
- Strategic Progress Index
- Unengaged and Unreached
- Evangelical
- No Known Evangelicals
- GSEC
- Less than 2% Evangelical, No Recent CP Activity
- Lostness priority
- Frontier Unreached People Group
- Also known as
- Jimma
- Region
- Eastern Africa, Africa
- Location
- Widespread
Where they live
Gospel status
The Jima are Unengaged and Unreached, which means fewer than 2% are evangelical Christians, and there has been no reported church planting activity in the past two years. 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 No
- Church planting in the last two years No Churches Planted
Next steps for the Jima
- Pray that God would send workers to this people group
- Begin sowing the gospel and seek out people of peace
- Plant the first churches consistent with evangelical faith and practice
Primary religion
Sunni Islam · Islam
97% adherents
Primary language
Borana-Arsi-Guji Oromo · Afro-Asiatic family
100% speak Borana-Arsi-Guji Oromo
Gospel resources in Borana-Arsi-Guji Oromo
- Bible available, published 2022
- JESUS Film available
- Radio programs not available
- Gospel recordings available
- Audio resources available
- Bible stories not available
Films
Bibles
- 1994 Bible Society of Kenya · audio
- 2007 Bible Society of Ethiopia · audio
Find more at the JESUS Film Project, Bible.com and Faith Comes by Hearing.
Pray for the Jima
- 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.
- 2 Timothy 2:2. Pray for faithful local leaders who will teach others, so that the church multiplies.
Oromo, Jima in other countries
The same people (ROP3 103355) is reported in 1 other country.
| People group | Country | Population | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oromo | United States | 7,200 | No Longer Unreached |
Know something we don't? Submit updates to IMB Global Research.