Djibouti, Apostolic Prefecture of

DJIBOUTI, APOSTOLIC PREFECTURE OF. - The Capuchins began the evangelization of French Somaliland. On 28 April 1914, with territory from the apostolic vicariate of the Galla, the apostolic prefecture was erected, which also embraced a vast territory of Ethiopia, namely the Ogaden. In 1937 there was a general reorganization of the missions of Ethiopia, and by decree of 25 March of the same year the territory was limited to the French possession.

It is situated in the heart of the tropical zone and has an area of 23,000 sq km with a torrid climate. It has about 100,000 inhabitants, of whom, according to 1950 data, Catholics number 2,445 in all, among natives, foreigners and persons of mixed race. There are 111 catechumens, 35 Protestants, 50 Jews, 78,000 Muslims. The inhabitants belong to two principal races: the Danakil in the circle of Tadjoura up to the border with Eritrea, and the Somali, or rather the Issa, who are a sub-tribe of the Somali race, in the remaining territory: they are Muslims. There are also Arabs, Indians and Malagasy. The apostolate is therefore very difficult, also because the Somali lead a nomadic life between the French colony and neighboring British Somaliland. There are: 1 quasi-parish, 3 primary stations, 9 secondary ones; 1 church and 3 chapels; 3 orphanages with 112 children; 4 elementary schools with 391 pupils. In the two civil hospitals and in the dispensary there are the sisters. There is published there, in 450 copies, the periodical Le semeur en Terre Somalie.

Saverio Paventi