MAKONDE

"According to Makonde legend, the founder of this people group was a woman. The legend has it that a man took a block of wood one day and carved a woman from it. She came to life during the night and so the Makonde people were born.

The Makonde people are considered to be the best woodcarvers in East Africa. Most of their carvings are of woman because of their high reverence for females. Even today the women hold high social positions: they are the owners of land, crops, and homes. When a man wants to marry, he has to go and live in his wife-to-be's home for up to two weeks. A rifle is offered to the woman's family as payment.

As recently is a few years ago the Makonde had a reputation as being an aggressive and resistant tribe. However, since then the Makonde's attitude has changed and they are now more open to change.

Until recently, the Makonde were still an unreached tribe. God send a revival through a man named Fernando. After his conversion, Fernando travelled back to his village to tell his family about his new found faith. The gospel has never been preached to the Makondes before. His testimony caused such a stir that the Roman Catholic priest of the Village had him thrown in jail. Since he had broken no law he was released the next day. By this time, however, his arrest created such an interest that many had gathered around him. He started to preach the gospel and a church was planted. Today there are 38 churches among the Makonde."

• 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 to population: 1 pastor for every 8 684 persons

Who is Jesus Christ to them?

21% Believe Jesus is the Son of God
70% Have never heard the gospel

2. HAVE THEY RESPONDED TO THE GOSPEL?

Believers to population: 1 believer to every 5 persons (total believers - 69 300)(21%)

3. DO THEY HAVE A CHURCH?

Churches to population: 1 church for every 8 684 persons (total churches: 38)

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

No

5. ANY HINDRANCES TO SCRIPTURE DISTRIBUTION?

Literacy Rate: ?

6. WHAT OTHER FORMS OF GOSPEL PRESENTATIONS ARE AVAILABLE?

No forms of gospel presentations are currently available

7. ARE THEY RECEPTIVE TO CHANGE AND TO CHRISTIANITY?

Yes, the Makonde traditions are changing rapidly

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

Yes, there is a need for training leadership."