SANDAWE

Whereas most of the people groups in Tanzania are Bantu peoples, the Sandawe is part of the San people who were the original inhabitants of the Great Rift Valley of Africa. Oral traditions of the Kikuyu of Kenya refer to the Athi, or the ground people, whom they had to pay for the right to move into their land. It is thought that the Athi is the same people group we know as the Sandawe. Today these people can be found in the Kondo District in north central Tanzania, between the Mponde and Bubu rivers. Kondoa is the main town in the area.

Traditionally the Sandawe were hunters and gathers. However, the Tanzanian government forced them to limit their movement and settle down. As a result the Sandawe lost their hunting areas and their sources of food diminished. Farming was introduced by the government, but the Sandawe found it difficult to make the transition. Today many people own cattle and cultivate crops; however, they still maintain there hunting-gathering lifestyle to some degree. The men hunt anything from pig to elephant while the women gather wild fruit and vegetables. Music plays an important part in the social life of the Sandawe people. Each area of life is celebrated with its own style of music. Stories of the past are told to the children by the elders, conveying their history, traditions, and wisdom. In many of the traditional stories the Sandawe identify with the small animals whose cunning and intelligence gives them victory over their more powerful enemies.

Cave spirits living in the hills, ancestor worship, and divination form part of the Sandawe religion. Fear of these cave spirits cause the Sandawe not to hunt, herd the cattle, or gather wood near the caves. Annual sacrifices are made to appease the hill spirits. As they climb towards the sacrificing areas, they shout out prayers. They believe in one High God called Warongwe, but he is perceived as a distant spirit that is not active in their lives. Similar to other San people groups, they see certain animals (like the praying mantis) and the celestial bodies as symbols of divinity. The moon is believed to be the source of rain and fertility. Dancing near sacred fires will bring healing."

• 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?

5% Believe Jesus is the Son of God
95% Have never heard His Name

2. HAVE THEY RESPONDED TO THE GOSPEL?

Believers to population: 1 believer to every 20 persons (total believers - 2 000)(5%)

3. DO THEY HAVE A CHURCH?

Churches to population: 1 church for every 40 000 people (total churches - 0)

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

Only portions of Scripture are available through the medium of gospel recordings. A Bible translation project is underway.

5. ANY HINDRANCES TO SCRIPTURE DISTRIBUTION?

There are only a few workers and written Scriptures aren't available.

6. WHAT OTHER FORMS OF GOSPEL PRESENTATIONS ARE AVAILABLE?

Recordings: Yes

7. ARE THEY RECEPTIVE TO CHANGE AND TO CHRISTIANITY?

The transition from a nomadic lifestyle to a more settled way of living has proved difficult for the Sandawe and they are quite resistant to the gospel.

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

Yes, effective strategies need to be developed and church planters are needed."