PEMBA

Over many centuries different people groups from the African mainland came to Pemba island and mixed with the earliest inhabitants called the WaPemba. Arab ivory and slave traders came to Pemba island and the island too became a port of slave trading. Further intermarriage took place and today the population of Pemba island is known as the Pemba people.

Also known as the green island, Pemba is the richest agricultural region in east Africa. In earlier centuries the Portuguese as well as the Swahili sent grain and cattle from Pemba to feed the people of Mombasa. Because of its economic importance the Portuguese made special efforts to keep political control of the island during their 200 year rule of the east African coast.

Almost entirely based on plantation agriculture, Pemba's economy suffered heavily as a result of the ban on slave trading. For Arab plantation owners it was difficult to make ends meet with salaried labour as they had been accustomed to having slaves work on their plantations. As a result many of them sold their clove plantations. Following the revolution of 1964, Pemba island was closed to all outsiders. Having met the revolution with fierce resistance, the former socialist leader of Tanzania restricted the import of food to Pemba. In desperation the Pemba people started to smuggle cloves, coconuts, peppers, and seashells to other parts of the mainland. At least seven years of schooling for all children are compulsory. However, in practice this does not always work out.

Still mostly an agricultural society, the people of Pemba cultivate crops such as rice (especially in the lower lying areas), bananas, and mangoes. Elevated huts are found in the village of Ndagoni. The reason for the elevated huts is to prevent flooding of huts during the heavy rains. Huts are made of mud and poles with palm leave roofs. Bull fights used to be an annual highlight on the social calender. It is thought that this tradition is a direct result of the Portuguese influence."

• Country: Tanzania
• Population (year): 32.9 million (1995)
• Major Religion: Christian
• Percent Christian: 51%
• Percent Evangelical: 9.7%
• Openness to Missionaries: Open"

1. HAVE THEY HEARD THE GOSPEL?

Who is Jesus Christ to them?

2% Believe Jesus is the Son of God
98% Believe Jesus is a Good Man, a Prophet, a Teacher, but not God's Son

2. HAVE THEY RESPONDED TO THE GOSPEL?

Believers to population: 1 believer to every 50 persons (total believers - 14 466)(2%)

3. DO THEY HAVE A CHURCH?

Churches to population: 1 church for every 241 100 persons (total churches - 3)

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

The Bible was released in 1952 and work on the Braille Scripture is in progress.

5. ANY HINDRANCES TO SCRIPTURE DISTRIBUTION?

Anti-Christian propaganda hampers distribution efforts.

6. WHAT OTHER FORMS OF GOSPEL PRESENTATIONS ARE AVAILABLE?

Literature: Yes
Radio: FEBA broadcasts 21 hours per week in Swahili

7. ARE THEY RECEPTIVE TO CHANGE AND TO CHRISTIANITY?

No, the use of anti-Christian propaganda and Islamic resurgence have slowed down outreach to the Pemba.

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

Yes. Church planting efforts are needed."