MAKHUWA
Writeup
"The Makhuwa of Mozambique is the largest ethnic entity in Mozambique, making up 35% of the country's total population.
Being the largest people group, they are a proud people. They exercise great linguistic and cultural influence on the other tribes in the north of Mozambique.
The majority of the Makhuwa lives in Northern Mozambique in the provinces of Nampula, Niassa, and Cabo Delgado. They are spread over an area from the Indian Ocean extending toward the borders of Malawi and Zimbabwe. There are also significant numbers of Makhuwa in Tanzania and Madagascar.
Although the exact meaning of the name ""Makhuwa"" is obscure, there are different theories. They vary from a word meaning ""barbarian"" to ""descendant from Goa"", reflecting Portuguese colonial influence.
The Makhuwa is a substance-agricultural people. Even the city dwellers have plots in the rural areas. Woodcarving is a major medium for artistic expression. In many cases marital relationships are of short duration.
Traditional African religion is at the base of Makhuwa life, although the many years of civil war caused them to be open spiritually."
- 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?
Pastors/ evangelists to population:
1 pastor/ evangelist for every 3 000 persons (total pastors-1566)
1 missionary to every 61 250 people
total missionaries: 77
Who is Jesus Christ to them?
16% Believe Jesus is the Son of God and are nominally Christian
2% Believe Jesus is the Son of God and have accepted Him as their personal Saviour
2. HAVE THEY RESPONDED TO THE GOSPEL?
Believers to population: 1 believer for every 6 persons.
(total believers - 752 000)(16%)
These figures include a large number of nominal Christians.
3. DO THEY HAVE A CHURCH?
Churches to population: 1 church for every 1 470 persons.
(figure includes an estimate of Catholic churches)
4. DOES THIS PEOPLE HAVE THE WORD OF GOD TRANSLATED INTO THEIR MOTHER TONGUE?
A Bible which includes the apocryphal books is available, as well as a separate New Testament. There is much discussion on how good this translation is. Plans are currently in progress for a translation into one of the Makhuwa dialects.
5. ANY HINDRANCES TO SCRIPTURE DISTRIBUTION?
The literacy rate among the Makhuwa is very low. Only a few are literate in Portuguese which makes access to any scriptures difficult. The availability of the Makhuwa scriptures is restricted by the Catholic Church. Non-Catholics find it difficult to gain access to the scriptures.
6. WHAT OTHER FORMS OF GOSPEL PRESENTATIONS ARE AVAILABLE?
Recordings: A few
Literature: Limited
Films: Jesus Film
Radio: One daily programme
Video: Jesus Film
7. ARE THEY RECEPTIVE TO CHANGE AND TO CHRISTIANITY?
Yes. The sense of freedom since the end of the war makes the Makhuwa open to all sorts of change. Islam and various cult groups are growing. The time for Christians to move is now!
8. DO THEY REQUIRE OUTSIDE (CROSS-CULTURAL) ASSISTANCE?
Yes. Modelling the Christian life in the church is crucial. The Makhuwa people desperately need trained Makhuwa pastors. This is a key role for cross-cultural missionaries."
