The Dukawa people are found in Rijau and Darangi Local Government Areas of Niger state and Zuru, Wasagu and Dirindaji Local Governments of Kebbi State of Nigeria. The major people groups are the Dukawas, the Kambaris and the Dakerkeris’. There are minor people groups based on their population. They are the Achipawas’ (about 30,000), the Bargawas’ (about 40,000) and the Gwanfawas’ (about 36,000). The literacy level of the people is very poor. Majority of those who have accepted Jesus Christ cannot read or write. This poses a problem in getting lay leaders for most of the Churches. In order to eradicate this problem, we need to establish Nursery and Primary schools among this people. Although, there are several dialects among these people, their indigenous language is Dukanchi. They still struggle to preserve this by making sure that it is the only means of communication to the outside world. However, the people speak mostly Hausa.
All of them (male and female, old and young) are either farmers or cattle rearers. They plant crops like guinea corn in large quantity; and millet, maize, groundnut, rice and pepper in small quantitiy.
The field was established in year 2003. As far as religion is concerned, 70% of the Dukawas are African Traditional worshippers, 20% are Muslims, 8% are Christians, while 2% have no religion.
Due to the fact that 90% of the Dukawas are African Traditional worshippers and Muslims, the people are generally hostile to Christianity. Elders also prevent their youths from becoming Christians because of their hope to have these ones continue their devotion to idols and Islam when they die. The non-availability of Bibles, Christian literatures and Christian films in their language also serve as barriers.
People Groups on Focus: Dukawas, Dakarkaris, Kembaris
Field Mandates
- Regular Outreach programmes such as Film, medical, witnessing, crusade etc at locations where these people are found. At least 2 outreach programmes in a month.
- Establishment of regular Discipleship programmes and literacy classes in all the planted Churches.
- Two new Churches are to be planted in each of the 5 Local Government Areas.
- Training of 6 indigenous Pastor, 2 from each tribe.
- To Establish a standard clinic on the field.
- Establishment of 2 Nursery and Primary Schools.
How You Can Be Involved
- Prayer support for the Missionary, field Pastors and the entire people of the field
- Financial support for the training of indigenous Pastors in our theological institutions
- Short-term mission or visit to the field.
- Support for building projects (churches and pastoriums)
- Provision of Educational facilities
- Provision of Medical personnel and equipment
- Provision of portable water – deep well or borehole
- Building of vocational centers across the field
- Building milling shops and purchasing grinding machines for processing farm produce especially the grains
- Sponsoring of students to mission fields on long vacation ministries
- Purchase of mobility-motor-cycles and 4 wheel drives for workers
- Adoption of missionaries/pastors for sponsorship to theological institutions
- Adoption of Churches
- Purchase of media equipments e.g. video projector, public address system, digital camera etc.
