The Chopi people speak Chichopi, which is a Bantu language, and the younger generation also speak Portuguese, the official language of Mozambique.
They are well known for their use of the timbila instrument and their accompanying skill in traditional dancing.
They are mainly located on the coast between Chidenguele in the province of Gaza and Inharimme in the province of Inhambane. The center of the Chopi people group is the Zavala district, and specifically the town of Quissico.
The Chopi generally live a life of subsistence agriculture growing staples such as cassava, corn, and peanuts, and they also fish. They eat what they grow and go to local markets to sell their produce and buy other things. Their stretch of the Mozambican coast has an abundance of coconut palms as well as many cashew trees.
Many of the men work over the border in South Africa in the mines, leaving many households with several generations of women. The women work in the fields, take care of children, get water, cook, clean, and sell produce at the markets.
The majority of Chopi function under a traditional animistic belief system where local witchdoctors and healers have spiritual authority in the communities. Ancestors are worshipped, and pacified when angered. Animal sacrifices are important to obtain favor with spirits that one may have good crops, health, peace, and success. Ropes, strings, and cords are also tied around the body under the clothes (especially at the neck and waist, and for babies also at the wrists) for spiritual protection and success.
There are also many Chopi that belong to the African independent church called Zione (locally mazione) which combines teachings of the Old Testament of the Bible and traditional rituals for purification, different forms of "baptisms" and demonic exorcism. The prophets where colorful robes and utilize spiritual objects that are said to contain power, such as special ropes and staffs. Most are polygamist and they do not eat pork.
There are a few Catholic and Protestant churches, but many of the church members would continue to function, at some level, under traditional animistic belief system alongside of their church practices.
The Chopi need to know that the Creator God is all powerful and that He loves them. They need to truly and deeply understand His salvation in Christ and His victory over Satan, demons, and darkness. They, like all other people, need incarnational missionaries who enter in and dwell amongst them to be, do, and speak God's grace and truth in Christ Jesus.
Scripture Prayers for the Chopi in Mozambique.
Profile Source: Anonymous |
People Name General | Chopi |
People Name in Country | Chopi |
Population this Country | 1,226,000 |
Population all Countries | 1,226,000 |
Total Countries | 1 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Progress Scale | 4 ● |
Unreached | No |
Frontier People Group | No |
GSEC | 1 (per PeopleGroups.org) |
Pioneer Workers Needed | |
Alternate Names | Lengue |
People ID | 11368 |
ROP3 Code | 102188 |
Country | Mozambique | ||
Region | Africa, East and Southern | ||
Continent | Africa | ||
10/40 Window | No | ||
National Bible Society | Website | ||
Persecution Rank | 32 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) | ||
Location in Country | Inhambane province: south Zavala district; Gaza province: 100 km coastal strip between Inharrime and Chidunguela; Maputo province. Center is Quissico. Source: Ethnologue 2016 |
Country | Mozambique |
Region | Africa, East and Southern |
Continent | Africa |
10/40 Window | No |
National Bible Society | Website |
Persecution Rank | 32 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) |
Location in Country | Inhambane province: south Zavala district; Gaza province: 100 km coastal strip between Inharrime and Chidunguela; Maputo province. Center is Quissico.. Source: Ethnologue 2016 |
Primary Religion: | Ethnic Religions |
Major Religion ▲ | Percent |
---|---|
Buddhism |
0.00 %
|
Christianity (Evangelical 3.84 %) |
35.00 %
|
Ethnic Religions |
65.00 %
|
Hinduism |
0.00 %
|
Islam |
0.00 %
|
Non-Religious |
0.00 %
|
Other / Small |
0.00 %
|
Unknown |
0.00 %
|
Primary Language | Chopi |
Language Code | cce Ethnologue Listing |
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
Primary Language | Chopi |
Language Code | cce Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
People Groups | Speaking Chopi |
Primary Language: Chopi
Bible Translation ▲ | Status (Years) |
---|---|
Bible-Portions | Yes (1910-2011) |
Bible-New Testament | Yes (2000) |
Bible-Complete | Yes (2016-2017) |
Bible-NT Audio | Online |
Possible Print Bibles | |
---|---|
Amazon | |
World Bibles | |
Forum Bible Agencies | |
National Bible Societies | |
World Bible Finder | |
Virtual Storehouse |
Resource Type ▲ | Resource Name | Source |
---|---|---|
Audio Recordings | Audio Bible teaching | Global Recordings Network |
Audio Recordings | Online New Testament | Faith Comes by Hearing |
Audio Recordings | Story of Jesus audio | Jesus Film Project |
Film / Video | Jesus Film: view in Chopi | Jesus Film Project |
Film / Video | LUMO film of Gospels | Bible Media Group/LUMO |
Film / Video | World Christian Videos | World Christian Videos |
General | Bible for Children | Bible for Children |
General | Gospel resources links | Scripture Earth |
Mobile App | Download audio Bible app as APK file | Faith Comes by Hearing |
Mobile App | Download audio Bible app from Google Play Store | Faith Comes by Hearing |
Text / Printed Matter | Bible: Chopi | YouVersion Bibles |