Population: 40,187,486 Capital: Khartoum Size: 967,498 sq. mi. Ethnic Groups: Arab-45%, Non-Arab-55%, Nuba-6%, Beja-5% Languages: Arabic, Nubian, Ta Bedwie, Nilotic, Sudanic, English Chief Religion: Sunni Muslim-70%, Indigenous beliefs-25%, Christian-5%

Guhayna - The population of the Guhayna in Sudan are 1,125,000. They are a nomadic people who live in dikkas, or camps. Their homes are tents made of camel hair roofs and cotton sides. While the men travel across the desert with their camel herds, the women and children stay home in the camp. Women tend the gardens and the small boys work in the fields, herd house camels and keep the goats and sheep from entering the gardens.

Because of the very dangerous conditions of the desert, men carry daggers on their left arms. They also carry either shotguns or rifles and most carry swords.

Traditionally, they are Sunni Muslims, however as a rule, most are not religious and know very little about the Islamic religion. Since very few of them can read or write, many consider the written word a source of magical power. It id difficult to identify the various groups in Sudan because their cultures and lifestyles overlap.

Compassionate missionaries who are willing to embrace this people and their culture and who can endure the harsh nomadic lifestyle are needed to evangelize them for Christ. Christian teachers would also have an influence while teaching them to read and write.

Beja, Bedawi - The Beja are a nomadic shepherd type of people scattered across the desert regions of Sudan, Egypt and Eritrea. There are 2,056,000 of them. They represent the largest non-Arabic ethnic group between the Nile River and the Red Sea. They are often referred to as the “Fuzzy Wuzzies” because of their enormous crown of knotted hair.

The Beja are the descendants of Noah’s grandson, Cush (son of Ham). They have occupied their current homelands for more than 4,000 years. They have mixed with other Arab tribes and have adopted their Islamic religion.

In Sudan they are divided into four tribes: Hadendowa, Amarar, Ababda, and Beni Amer. Their native tougue is Bedawiya although many are fluent in Arabic as well.

Even though all Beja are Muslims, they practice what is known as “folk Islam.” They’ve interwoven Islamic teachings with their traditional superstitions. They believe men have the power to curse others and that evil spirits take on animal forms and can cause illnesses and accidents. They practice black magic and animal sacrifices. There are no known Beja believers currently!