TWA

"Related to the pygmies of the Congo River basin, the Twa are the earliest known inhabitants of Burundi. Roaming the forests, they lived in bands of four to six families. Typical of all Pygmy people groups the Twa were hunters of game and gatherers of berries. At the start of the seventh century Bantu people groups migrated to Burundi from the west. The first of these were the Hutu. Vastly outnumbering the Pygmy people, the Hutu dominated the Twa quite easily. Most of the Twa retreated deeper into the forest although some intermarriage did occur. Hutu farmers also introduced the Twa to a culture of farming and villages.

Being slightly larger in stature, the Twa prefers to dwell in the forest like the Pygmy peoples of Zaire. An average Twa man weighs about 47 kilograms and is about 1.53 meters tall. Although the majority of the Twa population still follows a lifestyle of hunting and gathering in the few remaining forests of Burundi, some have become craftsmen, settling in villages near their Hutu and Tutsi countrymen. Coming back to those following their traditional way of life, the men do the hunting and the women do the gathering.

Kirundi is, like the other people groups of Burundi, spoken by this Pygmy people. However, it differs slightly from the Kirundi spoken by the Hutu and Tutsi.

As is mentioned before, the Twa contributes to Burundi's economy by making ceramics."

• Country: Burundi
• Population (year): 6.3 million
• Major Religion: Christian
• Percent Christian: 91.8%
• Percent Evangelical: 14%
• Openness to Missionaries: Fairly open (Some restrictions on Christian activities. Because of the current civil war the country closed its borders)

"1. HAVE THEY HEARD THE GOSPEL?

Who is Jesus Christ to them: 9% Believe Jesus is the Son of God

2. HAVE THEY RESPONDED TO THE GOSPEL?

Believers to population: 1 believer to every 11 persons (total believers - 5 782)(9%)

3. DO THEY HAVE A CHURCH?

No indigenous Twa churches, but they integrate well into existing churches when converted.

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

The Bible was released in 1967.

5. ANY HINDRANCES TO SCRIPTURE DISTRIBUTION?

The forests are quite remote which makes finding the Twa so much more difficult.

6. WHAT OTHER FORMS OF GOSPEL PRESENTATIONS ARE AVAILABLE?

Literature: Yes, but it is scarce. However, some organizations and agencies are working on this.
Radio: Trans World Radio are broadcasting from the capital Bujumbura.

7. ARE THEY RECEPTIVE TO CHANGE AND TO CHRISTIANITY?

Those living in the forest areas seem to be resistant; however, the Twa living near their Hutu and Tutsi neighbours seem to be more open to the gospel.

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

Yes, outreach to the forest dwelling Twa is needed."