TWA PIGMIES

The Twa pygmies of Zaire live in the rain forest of the Equateur Province. A key town in their area is Mbandaka. Only a few leave the forest in search of a better life.

Being a very shy people it is difficult to reach them with the Gospel. They are animists and estimates show that less than one percent of their population is Christian. Living in the forest caused them to be hunters. The Twa either lives in tree houses or in little huts made out of clay. These huts are situated near water resources. Wood is used for fuel and their diet consists of rise, kasawa, fruit, and monkey meat.

The Twa lives closely together in family groupings. This may vary from 5-10 families per group. Each group has a chief who governs them. As far as we know, they don't have any sort of relationships with the other people groups of Zaire."

• 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?

< 1% Believe Jesus is the Son of God > 99% Have never heard His Name

2. HAVE THEY RESPONDED TO THE GOSPEL?

Believers to population: 1 Believer to every ? persons. (< 1%)

3. DO THEY HAVE A CHURCH?

Churches to population: There are no churches serving this people group.

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

The Bible has not yet been translated, neither are there any Scripture portions available.

5. ANY HINDRANCES TO SCRIPTURE DISTRIBUTION?

The literacy rate is very low as less than one percent of the children attend school. Only those children living in the towns attend school. Their shyness also makes it very difficult to reach them.

6. WHAT OTHER FORMS OF GOSPEL PRESENTATIONS ARE AVAILABLE?

Recordings: None
Literature: None
Films: None
Radio: None
Video: None

7. ARE THEY RECEPTIVE TO CHANGE AND CHRISTIANITY?

No, they are a threatened society and do not relate to other groups. The Twa living in the towns seems to be more open to Christianity.

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

Yes. The few Twas that have converted to Christianity need to be trained so that they could be send back to their own people. This would be the best way of reaching the Twa."