People Group Profiles

“All nations will come and worship before you."

- Revelations 15:4

Bantu, Swahili of North America

People Group Info

Total Population: 85,400

ROP3 Code: 109644
IMB Affinity Group: Sub-Saharan African Peoples
Affinity Bloc: Sub-Saharan African
People Cluster: Bantu, Swahili
Language: Swahili (individual language) - (swh)
Religion: Islam
Country of Origin: Burundi

Photo courtesy of Joshua Project
By Bethany World Prayer Center

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Brief Profile

Bantu refers to a large, complex linguistic grouping of peoples in Africa. Swahili is the most widely spoken language among the Bantu. The Swahili Bantu people cluster encompasses Bantu people who speak Swahili.

The Bantu Swahili diaspora reside in almost 20 countries in the world. Therefore, they are well dispersed and continue to migrate throughout the world. The majority of the Bantu diaspora tend to settle in major metro areas. This is often the case in North America.

They are matriarchal and family or clan oriented. They observe the normal Islamic celebrations, but the various groups also have dances and festivals from their Bantu cultural roots. They are renowned as sailors, traders and artisans. They are a welcoming and hospitable people and seem to enjoy meeting people from other places and cultures. They are traditional Sunni Muslims, mostly Shafiite on the East Africa coast.

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Prayer Points

  • Pray evangelical Christians will intentional examine and discover the Bantu within their metro area.
  • Pray that God will prepare the hearts and minds of Bantu to hear and understand the message of Jesus Christ.

Learning Resources

Learn more about "Any-3"
Any–3 provides biblical principles and practical steps that have equipped hundreds of Christians to witness confidently and effectively. Over the past decade, thousands of Muslims have been engaged with the gospel.

Learn more about "Learning Paths"
Online Courses for embracing, encountering and engaging diaspora people. Work at your own pace. Begin anytime and complete the course according to your schedule. Interactive, Hands-On Application.

Learn more about "Reaching the Nations"
This book delineates five disciplines Christians should develop in order to effectively reach the nations. More specifically, it will guide Christians to develop an engagement strategy in their locale.

Loving Muslims Small Group Study
This Loving Muslims booklet is a two-week group study that takes a deeper look at Christ’s command to "love our neighbor."

World Religions - Beliefs Overview
An overview of major world religions and cults - their beliefs and practices.

Overview of Islam
Overview of Islam and its sub-groupings. Developed by the North American Mission Board, SBC. Includes generalized witnessing tips.

Other Resources

Know God in 98 Languages
A CRU resource with 9 different witnessing models (e.g. 4 Spiritual Laws, etc.) in 98 languages.

Prayer Guide for Unreached Peoples
A 30 day guide to pray for unreached people groups.

Online Talking Bible - Kiswahili
The purpose of Talking Bibles is to give non-readers and the blind access to the Bible in their native language.

Prayer Guide using the GOSPELS acronym
A prayer guide that utilizes the acronym GOSPELS to pray for workers among diaspora.

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