People
Who they are
The Koalib live in the northeastern Nuba Mountains, in South Kordofan, Sudan. They are one of the Nuba peoples and speak Koalib, a language of the Heiban family. They are also known as Koalib Nuba and Ngunduna. Contact with Arabic has brought loanwords into the Koalib vocabulary.
Where they live
1
Country
137K
Population
| Country | Share of the people | Population |
|---|---|---|
Sudan Partially reached
|
100%
|
133.000 |
How they live
During the civil war in Sudan, tens of thousands of Koalib found refuge in Sudanese cities, especially Khartoum. After the 2005 peace agreement, families began returning to their home region, but researchers describe a large Koalib community that still lives outside it.
What they believe
Most Koalib identify as Christians, but there are also followers of traditional religions and Muslims. Evangelicals make up a small part of the population. Written Koalib is linked to Christian education: Protestant missionaries arrived in Abri in 1923, and the Koalib New Testament was published in 1967.
The Bible in this people's language
A people only truly understands the gospel when they hear it in the language of their heart. See how far the translation has come.
Koalib
New Testament complete
- Translation started Done
- Portions Done
- New Testament Current stage
- 4 Whole Bible Still ahead
Audio recordings Available
Jesus Film Available
Translation data: Joshua Project.
Gospel progress among the unreached
Christians (all traditions)55%
Evangelicals3%
What to pray for
Intercede for this people
Pray for peace among Koalib communities, whose history includes displacement caused by war.
Pray for the study of the Koalib New Testament in villages and among families living in cities.
Pray that Koalib Christians will learn to teach the faith in their own language.
Pray that churches among the Koalib will welcome families and train new disciples.
Pray for Koalib
Intercede for this people alongside Christians around the world.
Open the Prayer Calendar