MWANI

Intermarriage in the eighth century between Swahili speaking traders, mostly Makhuwas, and a banished Arabic Islamic sect led to the birth of the Mwani people group. Only a handful Mwanis were slaves throughout the course of history.

The coastline from Pemba to Palma in the Cabo Delgado province is their territory, not going more than 5km into the interior. Mwanis see themselves as a Muslim ethnic people group far superior to any other group. As a result, they are a fairly closed society with very little interaction between other people. A mutual feeling of dispisement exits between the Mwani and Makonde people groups. Shelter consists of mud and bamboo huts. The roof is normally just a palm leaf covering. Women wear capalana (wrap around cloth) and are veiled while the men wear western style clothing. Fish, maize, fruit, rice, and cassava all form part of the Mwani's basic diet. They are also well known for their sailing abilities. Even though men have virtually no authority in the family, many women are abandoned because of the polygamous family structure. Witch doctors are paid to appease demon possed people, especially women.

Christian witness to the Mwanis was started in 1970 by Hans and Evangeline Casqueiro. A small church was planted with only a handful of converts. However, all of them have backslidden. All forms of change are met with resistance. According to Mwani religion God is unapproachable and salvation is obtained through good works. Trust in magic, indifference to sin, idolatry, and a fear of not getting a proper funeral are also contributing factors that lead to their rejection of Christ."

• 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?

Missionaries to population: 1 missionary for every 20 000 persons. (total missionaries - 5)

Number of mission agencies targeting this people group: 2

Who is Jesus Christ to them:

0.008% Believe Jesus is the Son of God
99.9% Believe Jesus is a Prophet, Teacher, a Good Man, but not God's Son
90% Have never heard the Gospel

2. HAVE THEY RESPONDED TO THE GOSPEL?

Believers to population:

1980: 1 believer to 100 000 persons (total believers - 0)(0%)
1991: 1 believer to 12 500 persons (total believers - 8)(0.01%)

Is there adequate prayer for this people?
Number of churches adopting this people group: 3

3. DO THEY HAVE A CHURCH?

I church for every 100 000 people (total churches - 0)

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

No, but work is in progress.

5.ANY HINDRANCES TO SCRIPTURE DISTRIBUTION?

Literacy Rate: 30%

6. WHAT OTHER FORMS OF GOSPEL PRESENTATIONS ARE AVAILABLE?

Literature: Portions of Scripture are in the process of printing, Gospel of Matthew to be finished by May 1996

7. ARE THEY RECEPTIVE TO CHANGE AND TO CHRISTIANITY?

No, they are a closed society and have strong Islamic rites. Subsequently, all forms of change are met with resistance.

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

A definite yes. They need to be introduced to Jesus and churches need to be planted."