of The Irob are part of the The IrobIrob are part of the Afar peopleof Ethiopia cluster. They may be a tribe of the Saho cluster. They may be a tribe of the Saho Alternate names: Erob, Minifere people. Irobland is in a mountainous area people. Irobland is in a mountainous area Alternate names: Erob, Minifere Population: 46,000 in the . The traditional in the Tigray Region. The traditional Population: 46,000 Language: a dialect of Saho center is . Their neighbors are the center is Alitena. Their neighbors are the Language: a dialect of Saho Location: in Tigre, Tigrinya and Afar people groups. Tigre, Tigrinya and Afar people groups. Location: Tigray Province in Ethiopia and many more live in The Irbo share the same social structure The Irbo share the same social structure Ethiopia and many more live in as their Saho speaking neighbors - they as their Saho speaking neighbors - they Eritrea Religion: 86% Syncritistic form are divided by clans with their regional are divided by clans with their regional Religion: 86% Syncritistic form of Christianity; Christo-pagan leaders called Ona. Some of their leaders called Ona. Some of their of Christianity; Christo-pagan religion (80% Orthodox, 20%, customs, such as wedding ceremonies, customs, such as wedding ceremonies, religion (80% Orthodox, 20%, Protestant); 7% Ethnic religions, dress, dance and foods, are more similar dress, dance and foods, are more similar Protestant); 7% Ethnic religions, 7% Islam to the Tigrigna speaking neighbors, to the Tigrigna speaking neighbors, 7% Islam % Evangelical: .6% especailly the peoples of . Their especailly the peoples of Agame. Their % Evangelical: .6% Christian resources available: own unique customs include elaborate own unique customs include elaborate Christian resources available: Bible portions; Global Recordings poetry telling called Adar and the men's poetry telling called Adar and the men's Bible portions; Global Recordings dance/step routine called Hora and dance/step routine called Hora and Alkafo. Alkafo. The elders say the name Irob is derived from the Saho word, Oroba, which The elders say the name Irob is derived from the Saho word, Oroba, which means "get or come in." They trace their lineage to one man, Summe, son of means "get or come in." They trace their lineage to one man, Summe, son of Neguse Worede-Mehret, who migrated to Irobland from Tsira'e, a part of Neguse Worede-Mehret, who migrated to Irobland from Tsira'e, a part of Tigray, about 700 years ago. Tigray, about 700 years ago. The Irob have been at the forefront of regional and national politics in The Irob have been at the forefront of regional and national politics in Ethiopia. Ethiopia.

Though the Saho are Muslims, the Irbo are Christian, though it is syncretistic. Though the Saho are Muslims, the Irbo are Christian, though it is syncretistic. There are three major subgroups, two of which are predominately Orthodox There are three major subgroups, two of which are predominately Orthodox Christians and the other Catholic. Christians and the other Catholic. The Irob economy is primarily based on The Irob economy is primarily based on agriculture agriculture and animal husbandry. They grow and animal husbandry. They grow maize. They maize. They are known for excellent honey. are known for excellent honey. Their homes are well built and their villages are Their homes are well built and their villages are clean. clean. Some of the younger and more educated Irobs Some of the younger and more educated Irobs move to larger cities in search of a better move to larger cities in search of a better livelihood livelihood and tend to integrate with the local and tend to integrate with the local residents there. residents there. Prayer Points Prayer Points

➣ Pray for the Ethiopian churches in the diaspora and in Ethiopia to ➣ Pray for the Ethiopian churches in the diaspora and in Ethiopia to mobilize their people and resources to reach the Irob for Christ. mobilize their people and resources to reach the Irob for Christ. ➣ Ask God for a move of the Holy Spirit among the . ➣ Ask God for a move of the Holy Spirit among the Irob people. ➣ Pray for God to send laborers to the Irob who will ➣ Pray for God to send laborers to the Irob who will contextualize the gospel message. contextualize the gospel message. ➣ Ask God for a disciple making movement among the Irob. ➣ Ask God for a disciple making movement among the Irob.

You can watch video of the Irbo-Saho at: https:// You can watch video of the Irbo-Saho at: https:// www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpXpnV1UiGc www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpXpnV1UiGc

“How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? “How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the As it is written ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” Romans 10: 14 - 15 good news!” Romans 10: 14 - 15

Information from The Joshua Project at Information from The Joshua Project at www.joshuaproject.net; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ www.joshuaproject.net; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Irob_people; http://www.irobdevelopment.org/irob/language Irob_people; http://www.irobdevelopment.org/irob/language

For information on adopting the Irob For information on adopting the Irob www.hornofafrica.org www.hornofafrica.org www.engagers.org www.engagers.org