BABINGA

"Closely related to other Pygmy people groups of the central African rainforest area, the Babinga Pygmy people of Gabon lives in the forest. Being a hunter-gatherer people, they are highly mobile. Subsistence is also supported by fishing. The men do the hunting and fishing while the women gather fruit and roots. Shelter consists of huts made of leaves.

As the Babinga is a mobile society it is very difficult to identify their exact location. However, they dwell in the vast areas of the Virgin Forest. They live in small hunting bands which makes finding this people even more difficult. The majority of the Babinga are located in Cameroon.

Even though this people have been known use the religion and language of the people group nearest to them the majority, however, adhere to their primary religion which is nature worship and polytheistic in essence. The Babinga Pygmy people of Gabon has not been responsive to the gospel and no Scriptures are available in their mother tongue."

• Country: Gabon
• Population (year): 1.4 million (1995)
• Major Religion: Christian
• Percent Christian: 87.1%
• Percent Evangelical: 5.1%
• Openness to Missionaries: Open"

"1. HAVE THEY HEARD THE GOSPEL?

Who is Jesus Christ to them? 0.5% Believe Jesus is the Son of God

2. HAVE THEY RESPONDED TO THE GOSPEL?

Believers to population: 1 believer to every 200 persons (total believers - 38)(0.5%)

3. DO THEY HAVE A CHURCH?

There are no indigenous Babinga churches.

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

No.

5. ANY HINDRANCES TO SCRIPTURE DISTRIBUTION?

As the Babinga follow a nomadic lifestyle, finding them is difficult.

6. WHAT OTHER FORMS OF GOSPEL PRESENTATIONS ARE AVAILABLE?

Literature: No
Radio: No
Recordings: No
Films: No

7. ARE THEY RECEPTIVE TO CHANGE AND TO CHRISTIANITY?

The Babinga are quite resistant.

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

Yes, strategies need to be developed to reach this people group."