IDENTIFYING 20 DIFFERENT UNREACHED

PEOPLE GROUP WITHIN THE 10/40 WINDOW

(CASE STUDY: THE KAMUKU PEOPLE GROUP)

BY

OLUWASEUN SAMSON KUNUYI

(N22/04/MSR/RCOM)
COURSE: 10/40 WINDOWS
COURSE CODE: FTM 703

IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE AWARD OF

MASTERS OF ART IN MISSIOLOGY

AT

THE REDEEMED COLLEGE OF MISSIONS, EDE, OSUN STATE.

LECTURER

PASTOR GABRIEL OLATUNDE

JUNE, 2023.
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Table of contents

Abstract 2

20 people groups in the 10/40 windows 2

Background 4

Culture 5

Language 5

Occupation 5

Religion 5

Beliefs 6

Number of Christians living amongst them 6

Challenges and Opportunities 7

10 General Problems Missionaries face 7

Conclusion 11

References 11

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Abstract
This term paper aims to identify 20 different unreached people groups within the 10/40 window,
succinctly discussing one of the 20 unreached people group. This paper therefore presents an
overview of the unreached people group of Kamuku living in Northeastern part, particularly in the
Birnin Gwari and Igabi local government area of Kaduna State, Nigeria, discussing their
language, culture, religious affiliation, describing how many Christians live among them,
opportunities Christian have to win them, challenges missionaries may encounter working among
these people and strategies to penetrate them with the gospel.

20 PEOPLE GROUPS IN THE 10/40 WINDOWS

1. Islamic Republic of AFGHANISTAN

There 71 numbers of people group in total in the Islamic Republic of AFGHANISTAN.

Two amongst these 71 include:

i. Afghan, Tajik

ii. Aimaq

2. Republic of ALBANIA

There 15 numbers of people group in total in the Republic of ALBANIA.

Two amongst these 15 include:

iii. Albanian

iv. Deaf

3. People’s Republic of BANGLADESH

There 311 numbers of people group in total in the Republic of BANGLADESH.

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Two amongst these 311 include:

v. Abdul

vi. Baidya (Hindu Traditions)

4. Republic of BENIN

There 63 numbers of people group in total in the Republic of BENIN.

Two amongst these 63 include:

vii. Aja

viii. Fon

5. Republic of CHAD

There 141 numbers of people group in total in the Republic of CHAD.

Two amongst these 141 include:

ix. Baggara, Shuwa Arab

x. Zaghawa

6. Union of The COMOROS

There 13 numbers of people group in total in the Union of The COMOROS.

Two amongst these 13 include:

xi. Comoros, Ngazidja

xii. Swahilli

7. Islamic Republic of IRAN

There 94 numbers of people group in total in the Islamic Republic of IRAN.

Two amongst these 94 include:

xiii. Gilaki, Gilani

xiv. Persian
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8. Republic of Zambia

There 74 numbers of people group in total in the Republic of Zambia.

Two amongst these 74 include:

xv. Bembe

xvi. Tonga, Zambezi

9. The Sultanate of Oman

There 35 numbers of people group in total in the Sultanate of Oman.

Two amongst these 35 include:

xvii. Arab, Omani

xviii. Urdu

10. Republic of Nigeria

There 542 numbers of people group in total in the Republic of Nigeria.

Two amongst these 542 include:

xix. Oron

xx. Kamuku

Careful examination in any of above people group:

Background
The Kamuku people are an ethnic group living in the northeastern part of Kaduna State, Nigeria.
They are primarily found in the Kamuku-Kuyambana Forest Reserve, which is located in the
southern part of Birnin Gwari Local Government Area. The Kamuku people are considered a
subgroup of the larger Gwari ethnic group, which is made up of various clans and subgroups with
population of about 64,000.

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Culture
The Kamuku people have a unique cultural heritage, which is distinct from other Gwari
subgroups and neighboring ethnic groups. The Kamuku people have a rich cultural heritage and
possess unique social structures and traditions. It's important to note that cultural practices and
traditions can vary within a community, and the Kamuku people themselves may have different
subgroups with distinct customs. The Kamuku people traditionally live in small, closely-knit
communities. Their society is organized around kinship ties and extended family networks. The
family unit is highly valued, and extended families often live together in compounds or clusters of
houses. The eldest male in the family typically holds authority and makes important decisions.

Language
They have their own language, also known as Kamuku, which belongs to the Niger-Congo
language family. However, due to the increasing influence of Hausa, which is the dominant
language in northern Nigeria, many Kamuku people are bilingual, speaking both Kamuku and
Hausa.

Occupation
Traditionally, the Kamuku people are predominantly farmers, cultivating crops such as millet,
maize, yam, and beans. They also engage in hunting and gathering activities in the surrounding
forests. The Kamuku-Kuyambana Forest Reserve is rich in biodiversity and serves as an
important resource for the community.

Religion
The Kamuku people have their own distinct religious beliefs and practices, which are often
characterized by a combination of animism and ancestor worship. However, it's important to note
that specific details about the Kamuku religion may vary among different communities and
individuals.
The Kamuku people traditionally follow indigenous African religious beliefs. They believe in a
supreme being and the existence of ancestral spirits. Rituals, ceremonies, and sacrifices are

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performed to seek the favor and protection of these spirits. Islam has also had an influence on the
Kamuku people, and many have adopted Islamic practices alongside their traditional beliefs.

Beliefs
Animism forms a significant part of Kamuku beliefs. They believe that spirits, known as "mazhi,"
inhabit various natural elements such as trees, rivers, rocks, and animals. These spirits are
believed to have influence and power over different aspects of life, including health, fertility, and
protection. Kamuku people often interact with these spirits through rituals, offerings, and prayers
to seek their favor and protection.
Ancestor worship is another integral aspect of Kamuku religion. The Kamuku believe that their
ancestors continue to exist in the spirit world and can influence the lives of their living
descendants. They honor and venerate their ancestors through ceremonies, rituals, and offerings,
seeking their guidance, blessings, and protection. Ancestors are considered intermediaries
between the living and the spirit world.
Kamuku religious practices also involve divination, where individuals or designated priests
consult spirits or ancestors for guidance and insights into various matters such as illness, conflicts,
or important decisions. Sacrifices, including animal sacrifices, may be offered during these rituals
as a means of communication and appeasement to the spirits or ancestors.
It's worth noting that while animism and ancestor worship are core elements of Kamuku beliefs,
the influence of Islam and Christianity has also made inroads into the region. Some Kamuku
people have embraced Islam or Christianity, blending these newer religious beliefs with their
traditional practices. This syncretism often varies from individual to individual, depending on
their personal choices and local cultural dynamics.

Number of Christians living amongst them

The number of Christians living amongst the Kamuku people group is very low and as low as 8%
of the population which is about 5120 of the 64000 while about 2240 is evangelical representing
about 3.50% of the main population of 64000.

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Challenges and Opportunities

Socio-economic Challenges
Like many indigenous communities, the Kamuku people face several socio-economic challenges
that affect their well-being and development. Some of these challenges include:
Poverty: Poverty is a significant issue among the Kamuku people. Many of them live in
rural areas with limited access to economic opportunities, basic services, and infrastructure. Lack
of education and skills training further exacerbates the poverty levels within the community.
Limited access to education: Access to quality education is limited among the Kamuku
people. This hampers their ability to acquire necessary skills and knowledge for economic
advancement. Factors such as inadequate schools, insufficient teaching staff, and cultural barriers
contribute to low literacy rates and hinder social progress.
Unemployment and underemployment: The Kamuku people often face high rates of
unemployment and underemployment. Limited job opportunities in their localities force many
young people to migrate in search of employment. This brain drain further weakens the local
economy and leads to a loss of skilled individuals from the community.
Inadequate healthcare: The Kamuku people often have limited access to healthcare
services. Insufficient healthcare facilities, lack of medical personnel, and inadequate infrastructure
contribute to poor health outcomes. This is particularly challenging during disease outbreaks and
emergencies when timely medical assistance is crucial.
Land rights and resource exploitation: The Kamuku people have faced challenges in
securing their land rights. Encroachment on their ancestral lands, land disputes, and resource
exploitation without their consent pose significant socio-economic challenges. This often leads to
displacement, loss of livelihoods, and cultural disruption.
Gender inequality: Like many traditional societies, the Kamuku people experience
gender inequality. Women and girls face limited access to education, healthcare, and economic
opportunities. Harmful traditional practices such as child marriage and female genital mutilation
further restrict their rights and contribute to gender disparities.
Environmental degradation: Environmental challenges, such as deforestation,
desertification, and soil erosion, impact the livelihoods of the Kamuku people who heavily rely on

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agriculture and natural resources. Climate change exacerbates these problems, affecting crop
yields, water availability, and overall food security.
The challenges of any missionary therefore cannot be farfetched from any of the above or
originating from same. Below are some other area of challenge and probable solutions from the
word of God.

Opportunities
There are lots of opportunities to penetrating fields such as Kamuku. From the records available
to us, it is obvious that apart from the insurgence of the Boko-Haram attacks in the central north,
Christians can leverage on this to supply humanitarian relieve and materials to this people group
and as such take advantage of this to do the work of an evangelist and introduce Christ to them.
Apart from sending humanitarian relieve packages or materials, from the above afore-mentioned
social-economic changes, something like a relieve can be done or carried out as a form of
assistance to mitigate some of these challenges and as a result, using this means to introducing
Christ to them.

10 general problems missionaries face

1. Discouragement with results of witnessing, progress in churches, growth in converts,
uncertainty about lasting ministry.
Solution: It is God’s work, not mine.
“Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing
that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ
whom you serve” (Colossians 3:23-24).
2. Priorities of the missionary’s commitment, time, opportunities, and time alone with God.
Solution: Establish a plan of books to read, study, family, correspondence.
“Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of
your time, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:15-16).
3. Necessity of language fluency in one or more new languages.
Solution: Perseverance in study and practice in speaking.

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“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in
everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed…” (2 Corinthians 9:8).
4. Adjustments in working with people of another culture, thought pattern, viewpoint, and
system of etiquette.
Solution: Flexibility, adaptability, proper dress.
“As a ring of gold in a swine's snout so is a beautiful woman who lacks discretion” (Proverbs
11:22).
5. Frustrating delays: seeking support, waiting for visa, seeking interviews with officials.
Solution: Faith, patience.
“But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one. We have
confidence in the Lord concerning you, that you are doing and will continue to do what we
command. May the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the steadfastness of
Christ” (2 Thessalonians 3:3-5).
6. Being tagged with the identity of a foreigner which represents wealth, a special political
system, and a big power overshadowing small countries.
Solution: By life and actions, emphasize your calling as an ambassador for Christ.
“Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us;
we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God” (2 Corinthians 5:20).
7. Sense of restriction on individual initiative, expression of talents, professional excellence,
and implementation of new ideas.
Solution: Find proper place in the Body of Christ and function in cooperation with other
members, deal with things openly, teamwork, network, submission to leaders.
“But we request of you, brethren, that you appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and
have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction, and that you esteem them very highly
in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another. We urge you, brethren, admonish
the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone. See that no one
repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for
all people. Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God's will
for you in Christ Jesus. Do not quench the Spirit; do not despise prophetic utterances. But

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examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every form of evil” (1
Thessalonians 5:12-22).
8. Insufficient funds for inflated costs, children’s schooling, emergencies, and promotion of
the work.
Solution: Faithful stewardship of God’s material deposit with us. News and prayer letters.
“Now, brethren, we wish to make known to you the grace of God which has been (given in the
churches of Macedonia, that in a great ordeal of affliction their abundance of joy and their
deep poverty overflowed in the wealth of their liberality. For I testify that according to their
ability, and beyond their ability, they gave of their own accord, begging us with much urging
for the favor of participation in the support of the saints, and this, not as we had expected, but
they first gave themselves to the Lord and to us by the will of God. So we urged Titus that as
he had previously made a beginning, so he would also complete in you this gracious work as
well. But just as you abound in everything, in faith and utterance and knowledge and in all
earnestness and in the love we inspired in you, see that you abound in this gracious work also.
I am not speaking this as a command, but as proving through the earnestness of others the
sincerity of your love also. For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He
was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become
rich” (2 Corinthians 8:1-9).
9. Fulfillment of family responsibilities in demands of work, provision of needs, education of
children, and times of separation.
Solution: A balanced Christian life. Build joy of Christ in your family.
“Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands love your wives and do
not be embittered against them. Children, be obedient to your parents in all things, for this is
well-pleasing to the Lord. Fathers, do not exasperate your children, so that they will not lose
heart” (Colossians 3:18-21).
10. Spiritual exhaustion requiring encouragement, inspiration for ministry, personal devotion,
and exemplary conduct.

Solution: A desert place to be alone with God and His Word. Spend time in God’s Word daily.
“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now
and to the day of eternity” (2 Peter 3:18).

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Conclusion
It is therefore expedient that Christians most especially the Pentecostals should wake up from
their slumbers to taking advantage in taking over these unreached people group for Christ as
soon as possible. This write up as shown that not much is been done in most places where we
have these unreached people group. In any case, we still appreciate the tremendous work done
by Joshua Project to even identify the number of Christian’s presence living within this people
group in terms of percentage as shown in this paper.

This paper could not talk much on missionaries working amongst this people group. This is so
because, there is no record that shows that any missionary or group of missionaries are present
among this unreached people group of Kamuku as at the time this paper is put together. This
is the more reason this work gave general challenges that are likely to be faced or encountered
and probable solutions when evangelizing such people group.

References
Joshua Project (www.joshuaproject.net)
Operation World (www.operationworld.org)
Ethnologue (www.ethnologue.com)
Global Prayer Digest (www.globalprayerdigest.org)
Wycliffe Global Alliance (www.wycliffe.net)
Frontiers (www.frontiersusa.org)
Operation World Prayer Resources (www.operationworld.org/prayer-resources)
Global Recordings Network (globalrecordings.net)
Finishing the Task (www.finishingthetask.com)
International Mission Board (www.imb.org)
Frontier Ventures (www.frontierventures.org)

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