Hausa

Quick facts about the Hausa

Location: Niger, Nigeria, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Congo, Chad, Central African Republic, Cote d'Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Ghana, Guinea, Togo, Gabon
Status: Engaged by IMB
Population: 28,000,000
Primary Religion: Islam
Number of Christians: About 36,000 known Christians
Language: Hausa

Largest ethnic group in West Africa
Considered to be the 4th largest Muslim bloc in the world
Many also follow African Traditional Religion
Have a tremendous influence both politically and religiously
Many work as farmers and traders
A very relational and gracious people

As people of influence throughout West Africa, pray many more Hausa will accept the truth of the gospel and be bold in proclaiming it to others.

Learn more about the Hausa!

By 1500 AD, Islam had been introduced to the Hausa by Arab traders. Many of the urban Hausa embraced Islam immediately, in hopes of enhancing their business. Villagers were not as receptive to this new religion. In the “holy wars” of 1804 and 1808, the Hausa were conquered by the Fulani, their strong Islamic neighbors. Many of the villagers were forced or bribed into becoming Muslim. They adopted some of Islam’s outward behaviors and rituals, but did not accept Islam wholeheartedly as many of the urban Hausa did.

Today, Hausa are found in large numbers in at least 15 countries in West and Central Africa. The largest concentrations of Hausa are found in Nigeria (24 million) and Niger (5.5 million).

The Hausa are considered the “traders” of West Africa. Hausa traders are characterized by their gowns and embroidered caps. They spend much of their time at various markets trading such items as leather goods, livestock, horse equipment, hardware, cloth, and food items like sugar, tea, and millet.