TABWA

In the eighteenth century some Tabwas moved south over the border of Zaire into Zambia. They occupied the area from the Zairian border in the north to the Lufubu river in the south. From west to east their area covers 150km of land with Lake Tanganyika being the eastern border. In time they intermarried with some of the people groups in the area. As a result they developed their own ""language""; it is a unique blend of Tabwa and Bemba called the Shila dialect. Because of their lack of education the Tabwa used to have a minority complex, but this is changing. Other tribes interact quite easily with the Tabwa and neighbour relations are good.

Only 15% of the population lives in the urban areas. Farming is their main source of income and they trade produce with the Haushi and Bemba speaking people. They are a polygamous society and live in groups of 20 people. Shelter consists of little huts made out of mud.

Conflicts are handled by the chiefs or local presidents. An offender either has to pay a fine or suffer a couple of lashes with a hippopotamus tail. The chief of the area normally calls upon the ancestral spirits to bless the land and make the soil fertile."

• Country: Zambia
• Population (year): 10.2 million (1995)
• Major Religion: Christian
• Percent Christian: 75%
• Percent Evangelical: 12.5%
• Openness to Missionaries: Open"

1. HAVE THEY HEARD THE GOSPEL?

14% Believe in the Virgin Mary as mediator between God and man
7% Believe Jesus is the Son of God
70% Have never heard the Name of Jesus

2. HAVE THEY RESPONDED TO THE GOSPEL?

Believers to population: 1 believer to every *14 persons (total believers - *4 200)(7%)

3. DO THEY HAVE A CHURCH?

There are churches in the Tabwa area, although no indigenous Tabwa church exits.

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

The Bible has been translated into the Bemba language and some radio programmes are also being broadcasted in the same language.

5. ANY HINDRANCES TO SCRIPTURE DISTRIBUTION?

Literacy Rate: 35%

6. WHAT OTHER FORMS OF GOSPEL PRESENTATIONS ARE AVAILABLE?

Literature: Portions of the Bible, The Gospels, Hymnal
Films: Jesus film
Radio: Christian Voice broadcasts preaching, worshipping and Bible reading programmes in Bemba.

7. ARE THEY RECEPTIVE TO CHANGE AND TO CHRISTIANITY?

Yes, they seem keen to listen to westerners and are open to accept new ideas.

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

Yes. The whole gospel needs to be presented to them in a clear, effective and understandable way.

*All figures are estimates"