Day 2: The Afar People
“Declare His glory among the nations.” – Psalm 96:3
The Afar people, also known as the Danakil, trace their ancestry to Ham, the son of Noah. They live primarily in Djibouti, Ethiopia, and Eritrea. They prefer to be called Afar, as “Danakil” is considered an offensive term in Arabic. Known for their pride, resilience, and warrior ethos, the Afar highly value strength and bravery, with social prestige historically linked to acts of combat.
The Afar are divided into two subgroups: the Asaemara (“red ones”), who are the noble and influential class residing mainly in Assayita, and the Adaemara (“white ones”), the commoners who endure the harsh conditions of the desert. Those in the desert inhabit one of the most extreme environments on Earth—the Afar Plain, also called the Danakil Desert. This region includes the Danakil Depression, a vast expanse of salt flats and active volcanoes, where elevations drop as low as 200 feet below sea level.
With scorching temperatures reaching up to 125°F and an annual rainfall of less than seven inches, the Afar have adapted to one of the most unforgiving climates in the world.
The Afar people have been deeply influenced by Islam since early in their history, and the faith remains highly respected among them today. They abstain from pork and rarely consume alcohol. Those who can afford it undertake the pilgrimage to Mecca.
“They prefer to be called Afar, as “Danakil” is considered an offensive term in Arabic.”
DID YOU KNOW?
- Afar population, worldwide: 2.79 million
- Percentage of Afar who are evangelical Christians: 0.01
- Despite their strong Islamic identity, many pre-Islamic beliefs and traditions persist
- The Afar attribute sacred powers to certain trees and groves and practice rituals such as anointing their bodies with ghee (clarified butter).
- Although some Muslims are permitted to have four wives, Afar marriages are usually monogamous. Girls may marry as early as age ten.
- Spirits of the dead are believed to be very powerful, and a “feast of the dead”, called Rabena, is celebrated each year.
- Many people wear protective leather amulets that contain herbs and verses from the Koran.
HOW TO PRAY
- Pray that the Afar people will have encounters with Jesus through dreams, visions, and divine appointments.
- Ask God to soften their hearts and remove any barriers to receiving the gospel, especially strong Islamic and traditional influences.
- Pray for a hunger for truth and for the Holy Spirit to reveal Christ as the only way to salvation.
- Ask for more Christian workers to be called and equipped to share the gospel effectively among the Afar.
- Pray for improved access to clean water, healthcare, and education in Afar communities, which often face extreme living conditions.
- Pray that many will hear the gospel via radio broadcasts.