MOUNTAIN PEOPLE
Quite clearly indicated by their name, the Mountain People live in the Maluti mountains of Lesotho. Some of the remote villages can only be reached by either horseback or by foot. However, the Highlands Water Project is bound to change that as roads will have to be build.
Villages may be as small as three families only, but they can be as large as forty families. Built on high ground, villagers can keep a watchful eye on their livestock. Crops such as maize, pumpkin, and even peach trees are planted and cultivated. Because the Mountain People are pastoralists, kraals form very much part of their villages. Cattle are driven into these kraals at sunset and at sunrise they are taken to the scanty pastures. Usually a tap or a spring would not be far from the village as this is their water supply.
Unlike most other tribes, a man who wants to get married will tell his mother about his intensions after he has declared his love to his wife to be. His mother will then tell his father about it who in turn then will tell the girl's parents. An uncle of the boy and a representative from the village will accompany his father. After agreeing on the lobolla (bride price), the wedding date will be set. Under no circumstances may a wife use the name of her father-in-law and she may not touch him either. Another name that would refer to him would be used by her.
Birth to the first child will always be given at the home of the maternal grandparents. Before returning home, the mother will stay at their place for three months. At the age of four months the baby is put naked out in the rain. This is done because they believe that the child will become a thief if he comes into contact with the rain before that age. Sheep's liver chewed by the most honest man in the village will be placed in the child's mouth, signifying that the child should become like him.
Initiation is done through a special initiation school. During this time the boys are not allowed to have any contact with women, including their mothers. The witch doctor makes an incision using a razor blade and puts muti (potion) in the cut. After this the boys will go into the mountains for three months to receive instruction. During the initiation period the families of the boys refrain from cutting their nails, hair and beards.
Being animistic, the Mountain People believe that one becomes an badimo after death. It is then one's responsibility to carry the prayers of one's people to the older gods."
- Country: Lesotho
- Population (year): 2 million (1995)
- Major Religion: Christian
- Percent Christian: 93%
- Percent Evangelical: 3.9%
- Openness to Missionaries: Open"
1. HAVE THEY HEARD THE GOSPEL?
Who is Jesus Christ to them:
14% Believe Jesus is the Son of God
2.5% Are truly born again
33% Have never heard his Name
2. HAVE THEY RESPONDED TO THE GOSPEL?
Believers to population: 1 believer to every 7 persons (total believers - 94 220)(14%)
3. DO THEY HAVE A CHURCH?
Evangelical witness is only established in one village. Another village has a strong Roman Catholic presence.
4. DOES THIS PEOPLE HAVE THE WORD OF GOD TRANSLATED INTO THEIR TONGUE?
The Bible was released in 1989. Work on the Braille Scripture is currently in progress.
5. ANY HINDRANCES TO SCRIPTURE DISTRIBUTION?
Accessibility into the mountains is extremely difficult.
6. WHAT OTHER FORMS OF GOSPEL PRESENTATIONS ARE AVAILABLE?
Jesus Film: Yes
7. ARE THEY RECEPTIVE TO CHANGE AND TO CHRISTIANITY?
The older people are resistant; however, the younger generation are becoming more and more open as they seek employment in the cities and in South Africa.
8. DO THEY REQUIRE OUTSIDE (CROSS-CULTURAL) ASSISTANCE?
Yes. The Mountain People do not have a clear understanding of God."
