CHAMUS

"The Chamus, better known by outsiders as Njemps, live in a ten mile strip around the edge of Lake Baringo from Kokwa Island and Island Camp and across to the shore and around the southern end of the lake at Salabani. About twenty Chamus live in Navaisha where they work as herders, watchmen and whatever jobs they are able to find. Their families remain at home. The Lchamus Lekepeo is the upper clan to the north while the Melua are the southern clan. They are primarily herders but because of repeated droughts, they have built permanent houses and have begun to farm.

The Chamus people sell cows, goats, milk and bead work to outsiders but not to each other. Milk ugali and sukumu wiki are their basic diet. For celebrations they slaughter animals. Age sets are still strong and both males and females are circumcised. Their language is called Lchamus which is related to and perhaps derived from Maasai. When a man dies, his oldest son must hold him as he dies. The holding of the father confers a blessing and the father won't be angry and return to haunt the family.

In their religion they worship one God, Nkai. They believe that a Dorobo man cut the rope between heaven and earth because God did not give him cows when he asked. So, no one can go to God They must make a sacrifice to approach God who is far away.

On the eastern side of the lake, there are six Africa Inland Churches with about 200 believers. The southwestern area has six undynamic churches of Pentecostal persuasion. Each of these two areas has six primary schools and one secondary school. This gentle, non-aggressive people welcome missionaries; however, they are very slow to commit themselves to Christ."

• Country: Kenya
• Percent Christian: 82.1%
• Percent Evangelical: 34%
• Population (Year): 30.8 million (1995)
• Major Religion: Christianity
• Openness to Missionaries: Open"

"1. HAVE THEY HEARD THE GOSPEL?

Ratio of pastors/evangelists to population: 1 pastor or evangelist for every 6 333 persons (total pastors and evangelists-3)

Ratio of missionaries to population: 1 missionary for every 9 500 persons (total missionaries-2)

Who is Jesus Christ to them?

?% Believe Jesus is the Son of God and are nominally Christians 9% Believe in the Son of God and have accepted Him as their Saviour
?% Believe Jesus is a Prophet, Teacher, Good Man, but not God's Son
?% Believe in local, traditional religion rather than in Jesus
?% Believe Jesus is a myth
?% Have never heard his name

2. STAVE THEY RESPONDED TO THE GOSPEL?

Yes, there are 12 churches: 6 Africa Inland Churches and 6 started by Pentecostal evangelists.

3. DO THEY HAVE A CHURCH?

4. DO THEY HAVE THE WORD OF GOD TRANSLATED INTO THEIR MOTHER TONGUE?

No.

5. ANY HINDRANCES TO USE OF THE SCRIPTURE? Literacy Rate: 41%

No. School children know how to read or are learning.

6. WHAT OTHER FORMS OF GOSPEL PRESENTATIONS ARE AVAILABLE?

Recordings: ?
Literature: No
Films: ""Charms"" (Swahili)
Radio: No
Video: No
Audio-Visual: No

7. ARE THEY RECEPTIVE TO CHANGE AND TO CHRISTIANITY?

They are very polite and will listen to a message; but they are slow to believe it.

8. IS OUTSIDE (CROSS-CULTURAL) ASSISTANCE REQUIRED FROM MISSIONARIES?

Yes. Both expatriates and Kenyan missionaries are needed."