ZINZA

The Wazinza people live on the remote south-western shores and islands of Lake Victoria in north-west Tanzania. Many are fishermen, working at night and tending toward a semi-nomadic lifestyle. The remainder practice subsistence agriculture growing a variety of crops such as cassava, corn, sweet potatoes and a wide range of tropical fruits.

During the late 1940's the government successfully eradicated the tsetse fly problem in areas on and around the Lake. This led to large-scale migration of neighbouring people groups into land traditionally dwelt in by the Wazinza, who were slowly forced out Today, the people are scattered around the south-west corner of the lake and live in a heterogeneous situation amongst the Sukuma, Haya, Kerewe and Jita peoples.

Although there has been missionary activity among them for about one hundred years, the people have not readily accepted Christianity. There is still a widespread belief in diviners, fetishes and potions which substantiates their fear of illness and death. They have a triune god who, along with evil ancestral and clan spirits, can cause illness and misfortune as a capricious act.

Although Swahili is used as the main language of communication between people of different groups, the Wazinza are proud of their mother tongue and interested in learning to read and write Kizinza."

• 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?

Ratio of pastors/evangelists to Population: 1 pastor or evangelist for every 67 000 persons (total pastors or evangelists - 3)

Ratio of missionaries to population: 1 missionary for every 14 000 persons (total missionaries - 14)

Who is Jesus Christ to them?

?% Believe Jesus is the Son of God and are nominally Christians
perhaps 0.5% Believe in the Son of God and have accepted Him as their Saviour
perhaps 0.5% Believe Jesus is a Prophet, Teacher, a Good Man, but not God's Son
0% Believe Jesus is a myth
20-30% Have never heard His name

2. HAVE THEY RESPONDED TO THE GOSPEL?

Less than 1 believer to every 200 persons (total believers - < 1,000). Many, perhaps a majority, have been baptized as Roman Catholics but church attendance is extremely low. The traditional religion dominates

3. DO THEY HAVE A CHURCH?

In the 1940's and 50's there was a Wazinza church which has since declined. Today, with the heterogeneous situation in which many Wazinza live, there are several churches with Wazinza members. These churches use Swahili, the national language of Tanzania. Some Wazinza keep Catholic Missals, published in 1957, in their homes.

4. DO THEY HAVE THE WORD OF GOD TRANSLATED INTO THEIR MOTHER TONGUE?

Portions of scripture have been translated into Kizinza, but they are now mostly archive copies, none are in print or in current use.

5. ANY HINDRANCES TO SCRIPTURE DISTRUBUTION?

Literacy Rate: 70%

Although the Swahili literacy rate is very high, hardly anyone can read Kizinza. The quality of the orthography (alphabet and spelling system) and of the translated portions is not yet known.

6. WHAT OTHER FORMS OF THE GOSPEL PRESENTATIONS ARE AVAILABLE?

There are several churches and evangelists working in areas where Wazinza are found. While the books of Acts, Gospel of John and 1 John along with an African Inland Mission songbook and a Catholic Missal have been translated into Kizinza none are in use. There is also a pre-1960 audio tape of a Gospel message.

7. ARE THEY RECEPTIVE TO CHANGE AND TO CHRISTIANITY?

In general the Wazinza are reluctant to embrace Christianity. Two generations ago there was a church and limited outreach activity, but generations since have left the faith due to lack of teaching, evangelism, etc.

8. IS OUTSIDE (CROSS-CULTURAL) ASSISTANCE REQUIRED FROM MISSIONARIES?

Yes, in literature developments, Bible translation, literacy, community development and health care."