KOTI

Since 739 AD, the Angoche Islanders have been trading with Muslim Arabs and Persians. Angoche Island was established as the main site for slave trading after the second wave of traders arrived. Arab slave traders intermarried with the Makhuwa people and as a result the Koti people was born. They developed their own language and today Koti is the main trade language on the island.

They live in the town of Angoche on the coast of the Nampula province, Angoche Island, and on other smaller islands near the coast up to Moma. A large Koti community can also be found in Nampula city. Historically, the Koti dominated the area economically. This has brought them much fame and as a result they are a very well known people group today. Fishing, cashews, coconuts, copra, and sisal are all part of their main products and economic activities.

Even though most Koti people can understand Makhuwa, they despise the language as they see their own language as being superior. Being a very proud people, they avoid speaking or reading Mahuwa. However, the Koti language has no alphabet.

Angoche is a very strategic town as it is considered to be the centre for Muslim influence in northern Mozambique. In order to complete school some of the Koti went to be baptized in the Roman Catholic church. Most of them, however, returned to their Islamic faith."

• Country: Mozambique
• Population (Year): 17.9 million (1995)
• Major Religion: Christianity
• Percent Christian: 42%
• Percent Evangelical: 8.9%
• Openness to missionaries: Open"

1. HAVE THEY HEARD THE GOSPEL?

Who is Jesus Christ to them? 0.2% Believe Jesus is the Son of God
99% Believe Jesus is a Prophet, Teacher, Good Man, but not God's son

2. HAVE THEY RESPONDED TO THE GOSPEL?

Believers to population: 1 believer to every 497 persons (total believers: 83)(0.2%)

3. DO THEY HAVE A CHURCH?

The Evangelical Assemblies of God was established under the initiative of Koti believers. More than half of the members and leaders of this church are Koti believers.

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

No, the Koti language does not have an alphabet. A translation project was started in 1996.

5. ANY HINDRANCES TO SCRIPTURE DISTRIBUTION?

Literacy Rate: 20%

6. WHAT OTHER FORMS OF GOSPEL PRESENTATIONS ARE AVAILABLE?

Recordings: ?
Radio: ?
Literature: ?
Video: ?
Films: ?

7. ARE THEY RECEPTIVE TO CHANGE AND TO CHRISTIANITY?

No. Many of the older people agree that the Christian faith is the right way, but see themselves as to old to change.

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

Yes. The gospel needs to be presented to them in an effective and clear way."