POKOMO

The Pokomo are an agricultural and fishing group who live in the flood plain of the Tana River from its mouth at Kipini to Mbalambala, north of Garissa. Inhabiting the area since the 17th century, these people have learned to accommodate themselves to the flooding river and benefit from the silt and water which these floods provide. The approximately 50,000 Pokomo are divided into two distinct groups along religious lines. They are the Upper Pokomo who are predominantly Muslims and Lower Pokomo who are Christians.

The first Christian missionaries came to the Pokomo in 1887. The Pokomo who were living in the lower part of the Tana readily accepted the Gospel and adopted Christianity by 1914. The Upper Pokomo adopted lslam between 1920 and 1940 and only few are Christians. The Upper Pokomo makes up about 75% of the Pokomo people and there is a need to minister to them.

The traditional marriage and dowry system is still practiced among the Pokomo. Marriages are often arranged by parents and is considered permanent once the dowry has been paid. The exception is the Upper Pokomo, where the Muslim practice of divorce has been introduced.

The substantial cultural changes which came about as a result of the introduction of Christianity and Islam, all but wiped out the older people who still hold traditional beliefs.

Pokomo are about 75% Muslim, 20% Christian and 1% traditionalists. This reflects the significantly larger population of Upper Pokomo over Lower Pokomo."

• Country: Kenya
• Percent Christian: 82.1%
• Percent Evangelical: 34%
• Population (Year): 30.8 million (1995)
• Major Religion: Christianity
• Openness to Missionaries: Open"

1. HAVE THEY HEARD THE GOSPEL?

Ratio of pastors/evangelists to population: 1 pastor/evangelist for every 2 367 persons (total pastor/evangelists - 30)

Ratio of missionaries to population: 1 missionary for every I4 200 persons (total missionaries - 5)

Who is Jesus Christ to them?

20% Believe Jesus is the Son of God and are nominally Christians
20% Believe in the Son of God and have accepted Him as their Saviour
55% Believe Jesus is a Prophet, Teacher, a Good Man, but not God's Son
15% Believe Jesus is a myth 5% Have never heard His name

2. HAVE THEY RESPONDED TO THE GOSPEL?

The Upper Pokomo have not responded.

3. DO THEY HAVE A CHURCH?

Ratio of churches to population: 1 church for every 600 persons (total churches - 83)

Total number of communities (cities, towns, villages): 1 church for every ? community (communities without church - ???)

4. DO THEY HAVE THE WORD OF GOD TRANSLATED INTO THEIR MOTHER TONGUE?

There is an overly literal translation published in 1901 which is unreadable to present Pokomo.

5. ANY HINDRANCES TO SCRIPTURE DISTRIBUTION?

Literacy Rate: 30 %
None, except for cost of transportation.

6. WHAT OTHER FORMS OF GOSPEL PRESENTATIONS ARE AVAILABLE?

Recordings: No
Literature: No
Films: No
Radio: No
Video: No
Audio-Visual: No

7. ARE THEY RECEPTIVE TO CHANGE AND TO CHRISTIANITY?

The Pokomo are receptive to Christian work in the lower Tana River region, but not up-river.

8. IS OUTSIDE (CROSS-CULTURAL) ASSISTANCE REQUIRED FROM MISSIONARIES?

The church that exists should be able to do most of what is needed, but will need to develop a vision for their Muslim neighbours. Continuing prayer, financial assistance and support for the translation for literacy promotion and teaching is also needed."