Karamojong,
Contact with the Gospel...

Unlike much of Uganda, which is widely English-speaking and nominally "Christianized," the large majority of the Karamojong have had little contact with the truth of God's Word, and have not witnessed much of the power of an authentic life in Christ.

Translation of the New Testament into Karamojong was completed in 1974, and work on translation of the Old Testament has begun. With most of the Karamojong not yet able to read, the written Word has not yet effectively penetrated the culture. Also, this society is an oral society--all of their traditions and ancestral histories are passed down through oral story-telling. Because of these factors, Oral Bible Storying will be an important part of reaching the Karamojong with the Gospel.

Recently, the Jesus Film Project of Campus Crusade for Christ has completed the Karamojong translation of its amazingly fruitful Jesus Film. This film has begun showing to remote Karamojong audiences and has already resulted in new members of God's family and new citizens in His kingdom.

Karamojong leadership is of utmost importance in spreading the Gospel according to the natural and culturally accepted lines of communication. All presently known Karamojong Christian leaders have adopted a Western form of dress, have been educated the Western way, speak English, and are not a part of the Karamojong cattle culture.

The Gospel can rapidly spread if it is communicated "the Karamojong way" by respected Karamojong. The Karamojong believe in one God whom they call Akuj (the name being closely associated with the Karamojong word for sky) and reject witchcraft. There can be a "people movement" if Christian leadership is developed among the common people.