Dirya in Nigeria

People Name:	Dirya
Country:	Nigeria
10/40 Window:	Yes
Population:	14,000
World Population:	14,000
Primary Language:	Dirya
Primary Religion:	Islam
Christian Adherents:	6.00 %
Evangelicals:	0.50 %
Scripture:	Unspecified
Online Audio NT:	No
Jesus Film:	No
Audio Recordings:	Yes
People Cluster:	Chadic
Affinity Bloc:	Sub-Saharan Peoples
Progress Level:

Introduction / History

The Choogen-Dirya have the same language and culture with different identities probably due to their different locations. Both groups consented to joint identity, hence "Choogen-Dirya."

Where Are they Located?

They are found along the boundaries of Bauchi and Jigawa States. While the Choogen are within Bauchi State boundary, the Dirya communities fall within the Jigawa State boundary. The Choogen and Dirya both migrated from Borno and settled at their present locations. They estimated their ethnic population at about 70,000.

What Are Their Lives Like?

In the past the Choogen and Dirya used to gather separately in Tsagu and Laya respectively for their cultural festivals, but they have since ceased from doing this, especially because of their devotion to Islam. The people are subsistence farmers. They primarily cultivate guinea corn alongside groundnut, beans, millet and beni-seed. Some of them are involved in cattle rearing.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The Choogen-Dirya are 75% Muslims and 25% Christians. The church denomination serving among them is the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA), which can only be found among the Choogen. While among the Dirya there is no church or Christians. There is no request for Bible translation in the language.

There is a low population of Choogen-Dirya Christian. No Scripture in the mother tongue and low levels of literacy in the mother tongue also. Few of the Choogen-Dirya have responded to the gospel, but they are still nominal Christians. Church growth in the area appears to be stable.

What Are Their Needs?

The Choogen-Dirya lack adequate basic amenities. However, they have a primary and a junior secondary school, markets and health clinic in some of their villages. They mostly use motorcycles as means of transportation. They also use vehicles and bicycles.

Prayer Points

Pray for supernatural moves of God amongst the Choogen-Dirya people.
Pray for the Choogen-Dirya people to thirst for God's living water.
Pray for a church to be planted amongst the Dirya.