Introduction / History

Jina is spoken in the far north region of Cameroon. The Jina people live in an area that has been home to several empires, beginning with the Sao in the Logone Valley as early as the 5th century. Legend claims the people were giants known for their copper and ironworks. Some said they were descendants of the Hykos who came from Egypt. The Kanem and Kanem-Burno Empires were also prominent in the area. During the colonial period in the late 1800s, the Germans loosely controlled the area.

Jina people live in the Zina community east of Waza, which is located in the Far North Region of Cameroom, in the Lagone and Chari Divisions. A few Jina villages lie to the north of Logone-Birni district in the department of Logone-et-Chari.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Most Jina people are subsistence farmers. Common crops are maize, millet, beans, and sorghum. Seasonal flooding of the Logone River is conducive to growing rice, which is usually planted in concentric circles. The local government is working to improve the yield of cotton, which is used to produce textiles and vegetable oil. The Jina use traditional tools such as hoes, sickles, knives, and machetes. People build hedges around their gardens to keep animals out. Some Jina people raise cattle, and some raise sheep and goats. Other occupations include fishing or working in tourism at the nearby Waza National Park.

Like the other ethnic groups in the region, the Jina have their own chief, though he doesn’t have as much power as chiefs held in the past. The Jina people also have their own ethnic festivals and holidays. Those who are Muslims also observe Ramadan.

All adults in the community still use the Jina language, but young people are losing interest in learning their mother tongue. Jina is not taught in schools.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The Jina people practice folk Islam. Along with the traditional elements of Islam they also use incantations and magic amulets to ward off spirits and reciting verses of the Koran to bring about miraculous healings. A small percentage have become Christians.

What Are Their Needs?

It is difficult for Jina people to get good medical care. There are few hospitals in the region, and western medicines are very expensive. Three outbreaks of cholera occurred in the last decade. Drought conditions resulted in poor sanitation and the availability of clean drinking water. Climate change since 2024 has caused the reverse problem of excessive rain and flooding of the Logone and Chari Rivers. In combination with the security issues in the area, people find it challenging to obtain sufficient food to meet their nutritional needs. Services such as education and markets are also minimal in the area.

Prayer Items

Ask God to provide the Jina community with access to good medical and education services that meet their needs well.
Ask God to help leaders deal with security issues to bring peace to the far north region of Cameroon.
Plans for a Bible translation project for this people group are being finalized. Pray that Bible translation projects will help the Jina people preserve their language and provide them with a deeper understanding of God’s word in their heart language to become mature followers of Jesus.

Scripture Prayers for the Jina in Cameroon.

References

Jina language - Wikipedia
Da’a Language - Ethnologue
PeopleGroups.org - Jina
Far North Region (Cameroon) - Wikipedia
Cameroon: Displaced women struggle to access land in Far North region | NRC
Flooding in Cameroon, the Far North is drowning - Action contre la Faim