AKA

"It is believed that the Pygmy peoples were the original inhabitants of the rain forests of Africa. Nearly 2 000 years ago the Bantu expansion into these areas drove the various Pygmy groups deeper into the forests. Dramatic cultural changes were experienced by the Aka during the colonial period. Because of the growing European demand for ivory, slaves and rubber the Aka became the principle producers of these products as they had extensive knowledge of the forest.

Today the Aka of the People's Republic of the Congo are found in the north, near the border of the Central African Republic. A few can also be found in the Central African Republic. Being a Pygmy people, five social units can be identified: the family, the camp, the clan, the band, and the regional community. On Average, camps consist of ten families each.

As is the case with other Pygmy people groups, the Aka is a hunter and gatherer society. Although both men and women do the gathering, the men do most of the honey collecting while the women do most of the fruit gathering. Every body, including the children, participates in the net hunting. However, only men use the crossbow and spear to hunt.

Bride service is paid by the husband to his wife's parents and may continue until the birth of the first child. As a woman gets older the length of the required bride service diminishes. Being an egalitarian based people, only a few status positions can be identified among the Aka. The kombeti is the most influential when it comes to subsistence and camp movement discussions. He is also most likely to be the liaison between the Aka and other people groups. ""Services"" such as divination on hunts, the curing of witchcraft, and healing are provided by the traditional healer or the nganga. Spear hunts and other hunting rites are lead by the great hunter, the tuma. He is also responsible for the training of the young boys. Status positions are normally held by the men. When no solutions to a dispute can be found, they'll split up and go there separate ways.

Ancestor spirits form the base of their belief system. Two types of ancestor spirits are recognized: personal spirits (those with names belonging to particular families) and generalized spirits. Traditional healers play more than just an important part in the daily life of the Aka. They can see into the future and are frequently called upon to help in the decision making by the groups or the individuals. Eyelids are cut and medicine are placed in these cuts during a nganga's initiation. It is believed that this helps the traditional healer to see the things that the others can not. Witchcraft is also practised, but it is considered to be a secret practice. Bembe is the Creator of all things, but they say that He retired soon after the creation. Dzengi, the forest spirit, is the most important of all and is part of their daily life."

• Country: Congo
• Population (year): 2.3 million (1995)
• Major Religion: Christian
• Percent Christian: 85.4%
• Percent Evangelical: 18.2%
• Openness to Missionaries: Open"

"1. HAVE THEY HEARD THE GOSPEL?

Who is Jesus Christ to them: 1% Believe Jesus is the Son of God

2. HAVE THEY RESPONDED TO THE GOSPEL?

Believers to population: 1 believer to every 100 persons (total believers - 300)(1%)

3. DO THEY HAVE A CHURCH?

Don't know.

4. DOES THIS PEOPLE HAVE THE WORD OF GOD TRANSLATED INTO THEIR MOTHER TONGUE?

Work is in progress.

5. ANY HINDRANCES TO SCRIPTURE DISTRIBUTION?

Their semi-nomadic lifestyle as well as the remote parts of the forest where they live hinder distribution.

6. WHAT OTHER FORMS OF GOSPEL PRESENTATIONS ARE AVAILABLE?

None.

7. ARE THEY RECEPTIVE TO CHANGE AND TO CHRISTIANITY?

They don't have that much contact with people outside of the forest area.

8.DO THEY REQUIRE OUTSIDE (CROSS-CULTURAL) ASSISTANCE?

Yes, a clear gospel presentation is required."