ZARAMO

The Zaramo is a Bantu people living in the coastal area of central Tanzania north of the Rufiji river. In the past this people group used to be slave hunters. A major source of wealth, slaves were sold to Arab traders. However, since the ban on slave trade the Zaramo has become an agricultural society. Manioc is the staple crop but other crops such as maize, beans, sorghum, peanuts, and sesame are also grown. Only a few cattle are kept; however, sheep and goats are raised. Chickens and ducks are fairly common too.

Bride prices are paid in cloths near the coast while farther inland it is paid in livestock. Polygamy is the norm. Neighbourhood settlements consisting of isolated compounds dispersed in the fields is what a typical Zaramo village looks like. Two forms of huts can be identified, the usual cylindrical type as well as rectangular shaped huts. Both have saddled roofs.

Zaramo territory is divided into small districts. A headman governs each district but in reality he has little authority. No tribute is paid to him but he does exercise judicial powers."

• Country: Tanzania
• Population (year): 32.9 million (1995)
• Major Religion: Christian
• Percent Christian: 51%
• Percent Evangelical: 9.7%
• Openness to Missionaries: Open"

1. HAVE THEY HEARD THE GOSPEL?

Who is Jesus Christ to them?

0.1% Believe Jesus is the Son of God
95% Believe Jesus is a Good Man, a Prophet, a Teacher, but not God's Son

2. HAVE THEY RESPONDED TO THE GOSPEL?

Believers to population: 1 believer to every 1 000 persons (total believers - 458)(0.1%)

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 were published in 1967 while the New Testament was published in 1975.

5. ANY HINDRANCES TO SCRIPTURE DISTRIBUTION?

Islamic beliefs are quite strong.

6. WHAT OTHER FORMS OF GOSPEL PRESENTATIONS ARE AVAILABLE?

Don't know.

7. ARE THEY RECEPTIVE TO CHANGE AND TO CHRISTIANITY?

No, because of their Islamic faith they are resistant.

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

Yes, they need to be introduced to the truth."