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People Profile
The Makhuwa of Mozambique
Religion: African Traditional Religion
Population: 5,300,000
Status: 16% nominally Christian (Ethnologue)
Location. The great majority of the Makhuwa people live in northern Mozambique in the provinces of Nampula, Niassa, and Cabo Delgado. They are spread out in an area of 300,000 square kilometers from the Indian Ocean westward to the borders with Malawi and Zimbabwe. There are significant numbers also living in Tanzania and Madagascar.
History. The presence of Portuguese colonists in Mozambique is perhaps the most significant single historic influence on Mozambique as a whole and the Makhuwa in particular. After almost 500 years of colonial presence, the Portuguese were forced out in 1975 after a ten-year war for Mozambican independence. Almost immediately, an internal civil war broke out between Mozambican entities. This terrible guerrilla war lasted until 1992. Only in 1988 was a formal renunciation of Marxism made, thus lessening years of religious persecution. The devastation of war and the influence of Marxism combined to cripple and hinder the development of Mozambique--especially in the north.
Identity. The meaning of the name, "Makhuwa" is obscure. Theories run from a word meaning "barbarian" to "descendent of people from Goa," reflecting Portuguese colonial influence. The Makhuwa have a clear sense of cultural identity, with a great deal of pride in being the largest ethnic entity in Mozambique (35% of the total population). The Makhuwa have a significant linguistic and cultural influence on other tribes in the north.
Language. Makhuwa is a Bantu language. Makhuwa-Makhwana is considered to be "original" Makhuwa. Linguists have identified at least ten variants within Mozambique, some significantly different from Makhuwa-Makhwana as to need a separate Bible translation. A standardization of orthography in printed material is needed to avoid confusion among a people just now with a measure of hope of becoming literate.
Political Situation. The key political word in northern Mozambique is "reconciliation." This acknowledges the continuing state of transition as the articles of the 1992 peace accord are slowly realized or modified. There is widespread distrust between the two largest political parties FRELIMO and RENAMO, who were also the opposing forces of the prolonged civil war. Rumors of a possible resumption of fighting cast a shadow of concern over the sense of relief and hope for the future. Everyone hopes for reconciliation.
Customs. The Makhuwa are a subsistence-agriculture people. Life is closely linked to produce of the land. Even city dwellers maintain agricultural plots in the rural areas. Makhuwa culture is rich in oral literature and proverbs. Woodcarving is a major medium of artistic expression. The culture seems to be lacking in provisions for marital and family stability. Marital relationships, often without legal or cultural sanction, are, in many cases, of short duration.
Religion. African traditional religion is at the base of Makhuwa life. Islam and Christianity have their adherents but traditional religion is deeply, deeply ingrained into Makhuwa life. The Roman Catholic influence was brought by the Portuguese and is of long duration. Protestantism is much more recent. The end of war and a sense of renewed hope for the future now provide an atmosphere in which Makhuwa people are open to change in all areas of life--especially spiritual.
Christianity. God is at work in a visible way among the Makhuwa with spontaneous new church growth among all evangelical denominations. This seems to be God's time of harvest blessing among the Makhuwa. While a Bible in Makhuwa-Makhwana exists, revision is needed and access to the scriptures is limited. Translations are also needed for some of the Makhuwa language variants. Pastoral leadership training is the number one priority of Baptist churches among the Makhuwa as rapid growth demands many Bible-trained leaders.
Prayer Topics:
- Pray for a good evangelical translation of the Bible to be made available to all Makhuwa people.
- Pray for vision and unity among evangelical groups, Mozambican and expatriate missionaries working with the Makhuwa.
- Pray for God to call out and equip many Makhuwa pastors to meet the needs of many new churches.
- Pray for Makhuwa women who are even more deprived of opportunity to hear the Gospel than men are because of illiteracy and isolation in the home.
- Pray for the Makhuwa to not only experience a sweeping movement of many into Christ's kingdom, but for them to also assume responsibility for taking the Gospel to other tribes and even into neighboring countries.
Comments in this report refer to the Makhuwa inside Mozambique.