LIBINZA
Writeup
"The Binza is a Bantu people group living in the Equateur Province of Zaire. From the Bomongo zone to the Kungo zone, the territory from the Ngiri and Mwanda rivers, and the Monia and Boniange villages southwards, is where this people can be found.
As they are primarily an agricultural society, bananas, maize and manioc are the staple crops. Other crops such as taro and yams are also cultivated. Some livestock (goats, dogs, cats, and chickens) are kept. Fishing and hunting are done on a small scale. Hunting is exclusively the responsibility of men while women till the fields.
Marriage is confirmed and effected through the paying of a bride price. Unlike other people groups, the bride price consists of about 50 knives and a boy. The boy is not a slave; rather, he is adopted by the bride's father. Polygamy is the rule. Property is inherited by the eldest surviving brother. Widows are divided among the brothers of the deceased husband.
Either a clearing in the forest or the water's edge is used for the building of villages. Villages are palisaded consisting of a double row of huts. Huts are cone shaped.
Each village has a chief governing and exercising authority over it. A chief is succeeded by his brother and not by his son."
- 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? 0.1% Believe Jesus is the Son of God
2. HAVE THEY RESPONDED TO THE GOSPEL?
Believers to population: 1 believer to every 1 000 persons (total believers - 10)(0.1%)
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?
No.
5. ANY HINDRANCE TO SCRIPTURE DISTRIBUTION?
The poor infrastructure of the country.
6. WHAT OTHER FORMS OF GOSPEL PRESENTATIONS ARE AVAILABLE?
Not sure.
7. ARE THEY RECEPTIVE TO CHANGE AND TO CHRISTIANITY?
They are still fairly resistant.
8. DO THEY REQUIRE OUTSIDE (CROSS-CULTURAL) ASSISTANCE?
Yes, a clear gospel presentation is definitely needed."
