SONGYE

The Songye, or Songe as they are also known, is a Bantu people living in the Kasai Oriental province. Between the Sankuru and Lualaba rivers, mainly in the Kabinda Zone, is where they can be found. Their territory stretches further eastward into the Kongolo and Kabolo zones of the Shaba region.

Primarily an agricultural society, hunting, fishing and gathering is of great subsidiary importance. Manioc is the staple food and maize and groundnuts are next in importance. Other crops such as sweet potatoes, yams, beans, peas, ground peas, millet and bananas are also gown. Goats are numerous while pigs, dogs, and chickens are also common. Dogs are eaten; however, women aren't allowed to eat dog meat. Milk is not used. Clearing the land and collecting palm nuts are the men's responsibilities while women are responsible for the rest of the agricultural work. Men also tend all livestock except for fowls. Land tenure is communal. Inheritance follows a patrilineal line. The preferred heir is the eldest son followed by a brother. If a man has no heir the local headman becomes the heir. Together with livestock, widows are inherited.

Polygamy is the preferred way of life and it is unlimited. Although each wife has her own hut, the first wife is the chief wife. When a woman marries she goes to live with her husband in a new household established close to, but not as a part of, his father's. Children are considered to belong to the father's family.

A typical Songye village consist of a double row of houses along a street with outlying hamlets of 4-30 huts each. Two types of huts are identifiable: circular with low walls and conical thatched roofs or rectangular huts with grass walls and dome shaped grass roofs. Local headman govern the various villages and are assisted by councils of elders. A headman is succeeded by the oldest son. If the headman had no sons he would be succeeded by his younger brother. Petty chiefs rule over districts of villages and are paid tribute."

• Population (year): 41.8 million (1995)
• Major Religion: Christian
• Percent Christian: 95.9%
• Percent Evangelical: 21%
• Openness to Missionaries: Open"

1. HAVE THEY HEARD THE GOSPEL?

Who is Jesus Christ to them: 30% Believe Jesus is the Son of God

2. HAVE THEY RESPONDED TO THE GOSPEL?

Believers to population: 1 believer to every 3 persons (total believers - 300 000)(30%)

3. DO THEY HAVE A CHURCH?

Churches to population: 1 church for every ? persons (total churches - ?)

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

Some Bible portions are available and the New Testament was released in 1978.

5. ANY HINDRANCES TO SCRIPTURE DISTRIBUTION?

The poor infra structure of the country makes distribution more difficult.

6. WHAT OTHER FORMS OF GOSPEL PRESENTATIONS ARE AVAILABLE?

Not sure.

7. ARE THEY RECEPTIVE TO CHANGE AND TO CHRISTIANITY?

Yes.

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

The church do need a greater understanding of the truth."