SUBIA

"Subia history is filled with war and subsequent subjugation. Mwanambinyi, younger brother of the first Lozi king, moved away from his brother's kingdom, following the Zambezi river southwards, and established his kingdom at Senanga. As he came into contact with the Mbukushu, Mwanambinyi waged war against them near Katima Mulilo and Longa Island. The Subia split up in two groups, fleeing the Lozi onslaught. Liswane with his band fled Kazungula, while Cheete and his followers fled to Butoka. After Mwanambinyi's death his son, Mulia, continued the expansion of the Lozi kingdom. His campaigns went as far as Sesheke (Mwandi) where he subjugated the Subia and brought them to Senanga. Clashes between the Lozi and the Kololo followed. The Lozi were defeated and lost their kingdom to the Kololo. As a result, the Subia came under the authority of the Kololo. Resistance within the kingdom led to the rise of the second Lozi kingdom. Sipopa, a Lozi prince started this campaign and defeated the Kololo. Again the Subia were subjugated to Lozi rule. In 1909 Hauptmann Streitwolf entered the Caprivi and annexed it as part of German territory. British troops ended German rule in the Caprivi in September 1914 during the first world war. Namibia Became a to South African mandate after the war. The situation remained the same until Namibia's independence in 1990.

Goha Hills in the north of Botswana is said to be the Subia's earliest dwelling place. Incidentally, the Yeyi and Mbukushu also originate from there. Today the Subia can be found near Rakops. Sorghum is the staple food as this people is a primarily agricultural society. Crops such as bulrush millet, maize and sweet potatoes are also cultivated. Roots of aquatic plants are gathered while small numbers of cattle, goats, sheep and chickens are also kept. Hunting and fishing play a vital part in the Subia lifestyle. Hunting, fishing, tending livestock, and clearing the land for agricultural purposes are the men's work while women do the actual agricultural work. Wealth is determined by the number of livestock one owns.

Ten to forty huts form the various villages. Huts are made of reed for the walls and thatched grass for the roofs. Each village is ruled by a village headman."

• Country: Botswana
• Population (year): 1.5 million (1995)
• Major Religion: Christian
• Percent Christian: 62%
• Percent Evangelical: 4.4%
• Openness to Missionaries: Open

"1. HAVE THEY HEARD THE GOSPEL?

Who is Jesus Christ to them: 1.1% Believe Jesus is the Son of God

2. HAVE THEY RESPONDED TO THE GOSPEL?

Believers to population: 1 believer to every 91 persons

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?

No.

5. ANY HINDRANCES TO SCRIPTURE DISTRIBUTION?

6. WHAT OTHER FORMS OF GOSPEL PRESENTATIONS ARE AVAILABLE?

None.

7. ARE THEY RECEPTIVE TO CHANGE AND TO CHRISTIANITY?

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

Yes, a clear gospel presentation is definitely needed."