The Jumjum speak a Nilotic language. Although they have a lighter skin color than do many Nilotes, they share other standard, physical Nilotic characteristics. For example, they are typically quite tall, thin, and long-legged. Their noses are usually broad, but their lips are thin. Their hair is often frizzy and their heads are long.

What are their lives like?
The Jumjum are farmers and shepherds. Both men and women participate in growing crops such as millet, sesame, and beans. The men and boys herd cattle, goats, and sheep. Also, the men regularly engage in hunting and fishing, and the women gather wild fruit and grain.

Each Jumjum village has a number of homesteads separated from each other by about one hundred yards. Every homestead has two or three huts used as living areas, a granary, and several huts for sheltering animals. A "rain chief" acts as the headman for each village. He has both political and religious power, and his hut is regarded as a sanctuary. He is considered the "Father of the Land." His office is characterized by the possession of the village drums, heirloom spears, and other symbolic insignia related to ancient Jumjum culture.

Individual huts in the villages are round with mud walls and roofs made of thatched grass. Each wife has her own hut where she rears her children and conducts all other household activities.

Parents usually arrange marriages, sometimes when their children are quite young. Before a marriage takes place, the young man must perform a long period of "bride-service" for the girl and her family. This service usually involves cultivating the father's land and helping herd his animals. The young man must also pay to the girl's family a small bride-price, which usually consists of cows, goats, spears, and other objects. After the marriage, the wife will move in with her husband in his village. A wealthy man may have more than one wife.

Some Jumjum are able to attend regional schools. English is taught at the higher levels, and Arabic is taught at the lower levels. Because few medical facilities exist in the area, the people often look to their chiefs for the healing of simple illnesses.

When a Jumjum dies, he is buried with his spear, hoe, and ornaments. After his burial, branches are placed on the top of his grave, and a few stakes are driven into it. Offerings are then made over the grave to bid him farewell.

What are their beliefs?
Most Jumjum are animists, meaning that they believe non-human objects have spirits. The Jumjum worship the supreme god Dyong. They believe Dyong lives in the sky and sits on a horse. Using powers which they believe are hereditary, the Jumjum also practice witchcraft and divination.

The rain maker also plays a large role in Jumjum religion. He obtains rain by placing "rain stones" on a piece of raised ground in his shrine. He then makes sacrifices, allowing the blood to drip onto the rain stones so that it will rain.

What are their needs?
There are no Christian resources available to the Jumjum, and only one missions agency is currently working among them. The people need Bibles and other Christian materials translated into their language. They also need much prayer and intercession so that their hearts will be ready to receive the Gospel message.

Prayer Points

• Ask the Lord to send forth Christian laborers to work among the Jumjum of Sudan.
• Ask the Holy Spirit to grant wisdom and favor to the missions agency that is currently targeting the Jumjum.
• Pray that the Bible, the Jesus film, and other evangelistic materials will be translated into the Jumjum language.
• Pray that God will reveal Himself to the Jumjum through dreams and visions.
• Pray that God will save key Jumjum leaders who will boldly share the love of Jesus with their own people.
• Take authority over the spiritual principalities and powers that are keeping the Jumjum bound.
• Ask God to raise up prayer teams who will break up the soil through worship and intercession.
• Ask the Lord to bring forth a triumphant Jumjum church for the glory of His name!

THE PEOPLE

• People name: Jumjum
• Country: Sudan
• Their language: Jumjum
• Population: (1990) 39,900
  (1995) 45,600
  (2000) 52,000
• Largest religion: Ethnic religionist 98%
• Christian: 2%
• Church members: 911
• Scriptures in their own language: None
• Jesus Film in their own language: None
• Christian broadcasts in their own language: None
• Mission agencies working among this people: 1
• Persons who have heard the Gospel: 11,400 (25%) Those evangelized by local Christians: 3,600 (8%)
  Those evangelized from the outside: 7,800 (17%)
• Persons who have never heard the Gospel: 34,200 (75%)

• Country: Sudan
• Population: (1990) 24,585,400
  (1995) 28,098,500
  (2000) 32,078,700
• Major peoples in size order: Sudanese Arab 13%
  Gaaliin 6.6%
  Guhayna 3.1%
  Beja 3%
• Major religions: Muslim 69.3%
  Christian 19.6%
  Ethnic religionist 9%
• Number of denominations: 20