MBARAKWENGO

'The San, also known as the Bushmen, were the first people to occupy the Great Rift Valley of Africa. Relatives of the Hukwe Bushman, the Mbarakwengo is part of the widely dispersed San people of Southern Africa. Being non-aggressive hunters and gatherers, they moved further south as they came under pressure from the Cushites, Nilotes, and the Bantus. Many of them were absorbed into these groups through intermarriage while others were killed during these invasions. In 1975 the war between the South African Defense Force and the Southwest Africa Peoples Organization escalated greatly along the border with Angola. It was during this time that the Mbarakwengo was moved from their homeland to a safer distance from the Angolan border. Many of the Bushmen joined the South African Defense Force. After Namibia's independence and the withdrawal of the SADF many Mbarakwengo returned to their old homes in the Babatwa area while the rest established a new village called Omega 3.

Still holding on to their tradition, the Mbarakwengo is a mobile society. Although national borders have stopped much of the migrations, they still move around in search of food and good fortune. Staying only a few months in a permanent dwelling place, they establish new homes where food is found more abundantly. Their territory is the western part of the Caprivi Game Park. Scattered settlements along the main tar road to Katima Mulilo can also be found.

Another name by which they are also known is the Water Bushman. This can be related to their location: an area where the desert sands mingle with three major rivers. They live in huts constructed of mud and grass. A low literacy rate has led to slow work among this people.

When a man wants to marry he usually takes some friends with him to the woman's father to ask permission. He would then remain with them for up to a year before returning home with his wife. Only women attend a birth and assist the mother in giving birth. Men are allowed to come and visit after the birth. Name giving may take as long as month and is done without much ceremony.

The dead are buried in holes. Some of the person's blankets and clothes are buried with him. His grave is also covered with branches of the Mukumu tree. Leaves and roots of this tree are taken home, put in water, and then used to wash the people who buried the person with. The spirit of the dead goes to the heavens to await Judgment Day.

Meat from carnivorous animals may not be eaten. Snakes are also on the forbidden list.

Being traditionalists, they are very resistant to Christianity. There are two "great chiefs" in their dualistic religious belief system. One is a good god while the other is an evil one. Yasema is the powerful good god who lives in the east and causes the sun to rise. He is also the creator of all things and the stronger of the two. Yasema is the father of all people on earth and he is called upon for healing. Rain is sent by him to cause growth. Spirits of the dead go to him to be judged and they become his servants. These servants provide all the good things on earth. Chevangani is the evil lesser god who lives in the west. He causes the sun to set, sickness, and death. Not having any helpers, Chevangani causes men, animals, and phenomena to have evil air. Criminals have evil air. Animals such as lions, hyenas, snakes, and chameleons are also seen as having evil air. Twisters, called kakundakundas, are also caused by Chevangani.

• Country: Botswana
• Population (year): 1.5 million (1995)
• Major Religion: Christian
• Percent Christian: 62%
• Percent Evangelical: 4.4%
• Openness to Missionaries: Open

"1. HAVE THEY HEARD THE GOSPEL?

Pastors/ evangelists to population: 1 pastor/ evangelist to every 1 000 persons. (total pastors/ evangelists: 11) Who is Jesus Christ to them? 10% Believe Jesus is the Son of God

2. HAVE THEY RESPONDED TO THE GOSPEL?

Believers to population: 1 believer to every 100 persons. (total believers: 110)(10%)

3. DO THEY HAVE A CHURCH?

Churches to population: 1 church for every 579 persons. (total churches: 19)

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

No, the Xun language is not a written language. The Bible is available in secondary languages such as English, Afrikaans, and Lozi.

5. ANY HINDRANCES TO SCRIPTURE DISTRIBUTION?

Literacy is very low.

6. WHAT OTHER FORMS OF GOSPEL PRESENTATIONS ARE AVAILABLE?

An audio cassette project has been submitted to the Southern Baptist Foreign Mission Board, but still awaits response.

7. ARE THEY RECEPTIVE TO CHANGE AND TO CHRISTIANITY?

Change has been forced upon them. They are quickly losing their culture and are adapting to Western and Bantu culture. The church is viewed as a welfare organization.

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

Yes, the Mbarakwengo Christians can't explain the gospel to others mainly because of their own shallow understanding of it."

*All figures are estimates