HIMA

Very little is known of the Hima history as it would be a breach of etiquette to mention a dead man’s name. It does create various problems within Hima society. In the past the term mpologoma was used for lion; however, since one of the earlier chiefs were also called by the same name the people stopped using the term mpologoma after his death. As a result a new word was formed for lion. Only a small number of this pastoral people live in Rwanda. Face always covered behind a veil, a Hima woman is never consulted when it comes to marriage. Even the man who proposes to marry the girl does not see her face prior to the wedding. When proposing, a man has to take with him a pot of amarwe (a drink made from grain), a cow, and a calf to the father of the girl he intends to marry. If the suit is accepted the father will drink the amarwe. The man then milks the cow and offers a bowl of milk to the girl. Betrothal is complete after the girl has drunk the milk. However, she does not leave with the man immediately. First he needs to bring seven cows to the girl’s father. Four are kept by the father and the other three are given to the girl. No feasts are held. Heavily veiled, she leaves with the man, accompanied by his friends, to her new home. Neither the father nor the mother accompanies her; however, an old woman is selected by the father to accompany her and becomes her nurse and attendant. Only the man is allowed to give children their names.

Mutton, goat’s meat, fowls, sweet potatoes, almost all vegetables, fish, and eggs are taboo as food. Hima people are only allowed to eat beef, veal, and milk and its various products. No reason is given for this except that it is their custom. Washed in clean water, the corpse of a dead person is left in a stretched position on a bench until it becomes rigid. By breaking the joints, the legs and arms are doubled up against the body. After the neck has been broken, the body is wrapped in a mat. Within eight hours after the death of a person the body is buried. Only the immediate family members attend the burial. A pit is made in the manure in the kraal and the body is lowered into it.

It is believed that a man’s spirit goes to a place in the forest called Mitoma. Here is no work, activity, or any sort of want - just eternal rest. All Hima go there after death, irrespective of the life they lived. Only departed Hima go to this place of eternal rest. Spirits of ancestors have no contact with their living relatives. However, demons frequently take hold of a person in the kraal. Traditional doctors always have a cure ready. A powder is forced up the nostrils of the person until he sneezes. This is a sure sign that he has been healed. To appease these demons a one day festival is held each month, commonly referred to as the balubale. No work is done on this special day."

• Country: Rwanda
• Population (year): 8.6 million (1995)
• Major Religion: Christian
• Percent Christian: 80%
• Percent Evangelical: 20.2%
• Openness to missionaries: Open"

1. HAVE THEY HEARD THE GOSPEL?

Who is Jesus Christ to them? 20%* Believe Jesus is the Son of God

2. HAVE THEY RESPONDED TO THE GOSPEL?

Believers to population: 1 believer to every 5* persons (total believers - 1 880*)(20%*)

3. DO THEY HAVE A CHURCH?

Churches to population: 1 church for every ? persons (total churches - ?)

4. HAS THE WORD OF GOD BEEN TRANSLATED INTO THEIR MOTHER TONGUE?

Don’t know.

5. ANY HINDRANCES TO SCRIPTURE DISTRIBUTION?

None.

6. WHAT OTHER FORMS OF GOSPEL PRESENTATIONS ARE AVAILABLE?

Literature: No - Radio: No

7. ARE THEY OPEN TO CHANGE AND TO CHRISTIANITY?

Yes.

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

The believers need to be discipled.

* All figures are estimates"