Safwa in Tanzania
Photo Source:
IITA - Flickr
Creative Commons
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Map Source:
People Group location: IMB. Map geography: ESRI / GMI. Map design: Joshua Project.
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| People Name: | Safwa |
| Country: | Tanzania |
| 10/40 Window: | No |
| Population: | 510,000 |
| World Population: | 510,000 |
| Primary Language: | Safwa |
| Primary Religion: | Ethnic Religions |
| Christian Adherents: | 5.06 % |
| Evangelicals: | 2.06 % |
| Scripture: | New Testament |
| Ministry Resources: | Yes |
| Jesus Film: | Yes |
| Audio Recordings: | Yes |
| People Cluster: | Bantu, Central-Tanzania |
| Affinity Bloc: | Sub-Saharan Peoples |
| Progress Level: |
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Introduction / History
The Safwa (pronounced SAH-fwah) people live in the Mbeya Region of southwestern Tanzania. The city of Mbeya is at the center of their traditional homeland, but most Safwa have fled urbanization. They are concentrated, instead, in villages around the city of Mbeya and extending out some 30 miles into the surrounding mountains and valleys.
What Are Their Lives Like?
The Safwa people in Tanzania are farmers who also herd livestock.
They sometimes kill one of two twins through starvation if the mother dies. Babies are force fed millet mush three days after they are born to prepare them for solid food and a life that will include hunger.
What Are Their Beliefs?
It is estimated that as many as 80 percent of the Safwa people are devout followers of African traditional religion or no religion at all. Commonly they worship their ancestral spirits. They make offerings to these spirits at sacred groves when they need rain.
What Are Their Needs?
Alcoholism is a big problem among the Safwa. As a whole, the Safwa are characterized as "resistant" to the gospel. There are evangelical churches in Safwa villages, but many are filled with people of other groups who have moved into Safwa areas. There is an effort to translate scripture into their language.
Prayer Points
Pray for the Lord to thrust out loving and dedicated workers to the Safwa people.
Pray that the Safwa people will have a spiritual hunger that will open their hearts to the King of kings.
Pray for workers who are driven by the love and boldness of the Holy Spirit to go to them.
Pray for a movement to Christ among them.