The Homa people are a small ethnic group located in Western Equatoria State of South Sudan. Their primary language is Sudanese Arabic, a lingua franca in the region that connects them with other ethnic groups. The Homa are part of the Sudanic people cluster within the Sub-Saharan African affinity bloc. The Homa are indigenous to South Sudan and are not found in any other country.Historically, the Homa have lived in relative isolation, and little is documented about their origins or migration patterns. Their identity has remained distinct despite regional pressures and conflict. The lack of written records has contributed to their underrepresentation in national and international discourse.
The Homa live in rural communities where agriculture and small-scale livestock farming form the backbone of daily life. They cultivate staple crops such as sorghum, maize, and cassava, and raise goats and chickens. Their settlements are typically small and scattered, with limited infrastructure and access to services.Social life is organized around extended family and clan structures. Elders play a central role in decision-making and cultural preservation. Due to geographic isolation and underdevelopment, many Homa communities lack access to formal education, healthcare, and clean water. Seasonal rains often make roads impassable, further limiting mobility and trade.
The majority of Homa people practice Sunni Islam, which accounts for approximately 80% of the population. Islam was introduced through regional trade and missionary efforts and has become deeply embedded in their religious identity. A minority—around 5%—identify as Christian, with only 4% considered evangelical believers.Traditional beliefs may still influence daily life, especially in rural areas. Syncretism between Islam and indigenous spiritual practices is not uncommon. While some Christian resources such as the Jesus Film and gospel recordings are available in Sudanese Arabic, access to discipleship and biblical teaching remains limited.
The Homa people face several pressing needs, including the lack of a complete Bible translation—while portions of the Bible and the New Testament are available in Sudanese Arabic, access to the full Scripture remains limited, hindering spiritual growth; although Christian media like the Jesus Film and gospel recordings exist, radio broadcasts in Sudanese Arabic are not widely accessible within Homa communities; additionally, there are few trained Christian leaders, and many believers lack foundational teaching for discipleship and evangelism; educational and healthcare resources are scarce, with many communities lacking schools, clinics, and clean water, which contributes to poverty and preventable diseases; finally, given that Islam is the dominant religion, there is a significant need for culturally sensitive evangelism and interfaith dialogue.
Please pray for the completion and distribution of the full Bible in Sudanese Arabic, so it may reach the Homa communities. Ask God to raise up local evangelists and pastors who will disciple believers and plant churches. Pray for spiritual openness among Muslim communities and for respectful conversations about Jesus. Intercede for the development of Christian media resources—such as audio recordings, films, and radio—in Sudanese Arabic. Finally, pray for healing and hope in communities affected by poverty, isolation, and the lack of basic services.
Scripture Prayers for the Homa in South Sudan.
Joshua Project: Homa in South SudanPeopleGroups.org: HomaWikipedia: Homa people
| Profile Source: Joshua Project |
