Karamoja is a savannah region in the north-east of Uganda, infamously linked with cattle-rustling, with the assistance of Ak47s.
The people are highly illiterate and uneducated. Various international aid agencies have offered food aid, humanitarian assistance, military and political solutions. The main campaigns of central government have been to disarm the warriors and educate the children, who are traditionally assigned to herd cattle. Converting their orientation to settled cultivation is another emphasis.
In their worldview, Cattle are a sign of wealth; essential to marriage and treasured above people. A person will kill anyone who steals their cows, and will kill anyone who prevents them from acquiring more cows. All the world’s cattle are believed to be available for ownership.
Enemies are prolific and revenge seems natural, with reciprocal killings over lost relatives common and relationship breakdowns widespread through harsh disagreements. Forgiveness is seriously lacking. Suicide is common among women and the most used form of punishment, self-inflicted or otherwise, is by hanging from a tree.
The Karimajong are made up of at least ten sub-ethnic Nilo-Hamitic groups (distant clans) with a total population estimated at 1.5 million people, who are at war with one another, as well as with other groups in Kenya, such as the Turkana and the Pokot. Karimajong is believed to mean “the old men who have got tired”, meaning that they did not want to continue with the rest of the migration. All these groups came originally from Sudan.
These pastoralists are semi-nomadic and transcend natural borders, sharing a common warring spirit. They have all been marginalized in their respective countries, to which they hold little allegiance. They are despised by the nation and hated by neighbouring tribes from which they steel.
They do not have a typical African worship system, but seek the strength of ancestors in times of trouble. The traditional rural society involves fenced homesteads called Manyatta (Kraal), comprising elders and an extended family of sons with polygamous marriages.
This non-Bantu people need to hear the transforming message of Jesus Christ through their own people and language. They need to discover the power of Jesus’ love in addition to other helps. The messiah, who hung on a tree for all their shortcomings, is the ultimate answer to the inner transformation of this people.
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Anyone who steps into this domain should not be squeamish or faint of heart. Outside visits by small, mature teams are impactful, for the purposes of church planting and leadership encouragement. We are willing to go with whoever will venture in. Support for leadership seminars and believers gatherings is also worthwhile. Our involvement is currently being pursued by Nigel Harding, our regional field coordinator. A field co-ordinator dedicated to this region would be a great blessing in the future.
Please pray for this people and their transformation. Ask for labourers to enter this harvest field. Consider your personal involvement with Missionary Ventures, as we seek to reach them through their own Church leaders.