HOLOHOLO
Living on the shores of lake Tanganyika in the Shaba province of Zaire, this Bantu people group utilises the lake for fishing. However, the Holoholo is primarily an agricultural society. Sorghum is the staple crop. Hunting is done on a small scale. Cattle is the exclusive property of chiefs. Trading is very important to the Holoholo.
Men only assist the women in the agricultural duties, mainly clearing the land. However, agriculture is the sole responsibility of the women. Land belongs to the person who cultivates it.
Marriage is effected by a bride price of unspecified size and content. Polygamy prevails, but two wives are the preferred norm. Each wife has her own hut. Chief wife status is carried by the first wife. After the wedding the wife will move to her husband's village. A newly wedded son is expected to leave his father's village to set up a new household. Only on the express condition that children born are free to return to their mother's family will a Holoholo give his daughter to be married to a stranger. Inheritance is matrilineal, order of preference being the mother's brother followed by the eldest brother, eldest sister's eldest son and then the women in the same order.
Villages consisting of double rows of beehive-like huts are typical Holoholo villages. At the one end is the dwelling of the headman. Headmen have limited authority and are succeeded by a brother. If he has no brothers then his sister's son will succeed him. All headmen are assisted by a council of elders."
- Population (year): 41.8 million (1995)
- Major Religion: Christian
- Percent Christian: 95.9%
- Percent Evangelical: 21%
- 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 199 persons
3. DO THEY HAVE A CHURCH?
Churches to population: 1 church for every 15 500 persons (total churches - 0)
4. DOES THIS PEOPLE HAVE THE WORD OF GOD TRANSLATED INTO THEIR MOTHER TONGUE?
Some Bible portions were released as far back as 1948
5. ANY HINDRANCE TO SCRIPTURE DISTRIBUTION?
The poor infra structure of the country.
6. WHAT OTHER FORMS OF GOSPEL PRESENTATIONS ARE AVAILABLE?
None.
7. ARE THEY RECEPTIVE TO CHANGE AND TO CHRISTIANITY?
They are quite resistant.
8. DO THEY REQUIRE OUTSIDE (CROSS-CULTURAL) ASSISTANCE?
Church planting efforts are most certainly needed."
