MIKEA

"Darkness"" or ""One who loves the dark"" is the meaning of the term Mikea. This is the name given to this people group by the Malagasy people because so little is known about them. In the early history, when Malagasy people were captured and sold as slaves, the Mikea retreated deep into the forest to escape captivity. They made up their own dialect due to their seclusion. Many believe that they use bird calls and animal sounds to communicate to each other.

The Mikea is a people group who regards itself as being small and weak. In general, the Mikea are afraid of other people groups. They see themselves as being inferior to other people and because of this, other people groups look down on them. However, there are different opinions about the Mikea. Some believe that they are pygmies and that they can appear and disappear at will or by magic. Still others believe that the Mikea lives in the forest like animals.

In the forest area from Morombe in the north to Voreha in the centre and still further down to Tulear in the south is where the Mikea can be found. They do not stay in one place as they move around. Planting is done on a small scale and when the land can no longer be cultivated or water supplies dry up, they move on. The Mikea are also good hunters.

Boys between 16-17 years of age and girls aged 14 are given and taken in marriage. Only babies born in the constellatory period (the position of the stars at the time of birth) of the father are allowed to live. Babies born outside of this period are buried alive. During the Mitrambo the child is dedicated to a forest spirit. This spirit then becomes the child's guardian. Charms are worn around the neck as proof of its dedication to the forest spirit. The oldest man in the village is responsible for solving disputes. Mikea people don't like arguments and when no solution can be found they separate."

• Country: Madagascar
• Population (Year): 14.1 million (1995)
• Major Religion: Christian
• Percent Christian: 52.7%
• Percent Evangelical: 6.3%
• Openness to missionaries: Open"

1. HAVE THEY HEARD THE GOSPEL?

Number of mission agencies targeting this group? 1

Who is Jesus Christ to them?

1% Believe Jesus is the Son of God
90% Have never heard His Name

2. HAVE THEY RESPONDED TO THE GOSPEL?

Believers to population: 1 believer to every 103 persons
(total believers - 16)(1%)

3. DO THEY HAVE A CHURCH?

Churches to population: 1 church for every ? persons

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

No

5. ANY HINDRANCES TO SCRIPTURE DISTRIBUTION?

Literacy Rate: 0%

6. WHAT OTHER FORMS OF GOSPEL PRESENTATION ARE AVAILABLE?

Recordings: No
Literature: No
Films: No
Radio: No
Video: No

7. ARE THEY RECEPTIVE TO CHANGE AND CHRISTIANITY?

No. When a person converts to Christianity he is rejected by his family. The Mikea are also afraid and only show a receptiveness to change if they can benefit from it.

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

Yes. They need to be shown that Jesus' power is greater than that of their ancestors and forest spirits."