The Wanji people live in southwest Tanzania in the southern mountains of Iringa Region between the Bena, Sangu and Kinga people. Some live on the Usangu wetlands near the village of Mahongale. Some Wanji may attend the secondary (high school) at Makambako, a trading center in the area. There is a corn (maize) grinding mill, waddle and eucalyptus tree project and farm for maize (corn) at this former Lutheran school. Also a local brick factory/kiln.
One of the early Gospel messengers was Sam John Nierendra. One of the people who became a Christian was Samwaili from the mountain village of Msalimwani. The women of this village still wear the skins of animals to ward off the biting cold of mountain mornings. They worship spirits of their ancestors and fear the leopard that stalks at night.
Samwaili attended the Tanzania Bible School where he studied hard. After graduating he traveled the Usangu plains telling folks about his Savior and established other churches. ( 2001 report by David Caskey who lived in Wanji area) In time some of the Bible was provided for this group, 1979-1985. This language needs to be reassessed to see why the translation work stopped and if more translation work is needed for this isolated group. Some appear to have moved down out of the mountains on to the Usangu plains. Their interaction with other larger near by groups will need to be checked to see if they can now use any of these groups' Scriptures. Lutherans, Anglicans and Presbyterians work in this general area as well as perhaps some RC from Njombe.
Scripture Prayers for the Wanji in Tanzania.
Profile Source: Anonymous |
People Name General | Wanji |
People Name in Country | Wanji |
Alternate Names | Vwanji |
Population this Country | 57,000 |
Population all Countries | 57,000 |
Total Countries | 1 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Progress Scale | 5 ● |
Unreached | No |
Frontier People Group | No |
GSEC | 1 (per PeopleGroups.org) |
Pioneer Workers Needed | |
People ID | 15856 |
ROP3 Code | 110676 |
Country | Tanzania | ||
Region | Africa, East and Southern | ||
Continent | Africa | ||
10/40 Window | No | ||
National Bible Society | Website | ||
Persecution Rank | Not ranked | ||
Location in Country | Iringa region: Makete district, Kipengere mountain range. West of Bena [bez], south of Sangu [sbp], north of Kinga [zga] language areas. Source: Ethnologue 2016 |
Country | Tanzania |
Region | Africa, East and Southern |
Continent | Africa |
10/40 Window | No |
National Bible Society | Website |
Persecution Rank | Not ranked |
Location in Country | Iringa region: Makete district, Kipengere mountain range. West of Bena [bez], south of Sangu [sbp], north of Kinga [zga] language areas.. Source: Ethnologue 2016 |
Primary Religion: | Ethnic Religions |
Major Religion ▲ | Percent |
---|---|
Buddhism |
0.00 %
|
Christianity (Evangelical 12.00 %) |
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 | Vwanji (57,000 speakers) |
Language Code | wbi Ethnologue Listing |
Primary Dialect | Wanji |
Dialect Code | 1042 Global Recordings Listing |
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
Primary Language | Vwanji (57,000 speakers) |
Language Code | wbi Ethnologue Listing |
Primary Dialect | Wanji |
Dialect Code | 1042 Global Recordings Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
People Groups | Speaking Vwanji |
Primary Language: Vwanji
Bible Translation ▲ | Status (Years) |
---|---|
Bible-Portions | Yes (1979–2014) |
Bible-New Testament | Yes (2019) |
Bible-Complete | No |
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 |
Film / Video | Jesus Film: view in Vwanji | Jesus Film Project |
Film / Video | LUMO film of Gospels | Bible Media Group/LUMO |
General | Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text, audio, video | Faith Comes by Hearing |
General | Gospel resources links | Scripture Earth |
General | YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio | YouVersion Bibles |
Mobile App | Android Bible app: Vwanji | YouVersion Bibles |
Mobile App | iOS Bible app: Vwanji | YouVersion Bibles |
Profile Source | Anonymous |
Data Sources | Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more. |