Doma, Vadoma in Zimbabwe
Photo Source:
Flummox ftm - Wikimedia
Creative Commons
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Map Source:
People Group location: Encyclopedia of Indigenous Peoples, Map geography: ESRI / GMI. Map design: Joshua Project.
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| People Name: | Doma, Vadoma |
| Country: | Zimbabwe |
| 10/40 Window: | No |
| Population: | 21,000 |
| World Population: | 21,000 |
| Primary Language: | Shona |
| Primary Religion: | Ethnic Religions |
| Christian Adherents: | 0.30 % |
| Evangelicals: | 0.30 % |
| Scripture: | Complete Bible |
| Online Audio NT: | Yes |
| Jesus Film: | Yes |
| Audio Recordings: | Yes |
| People Cluster: | Bantu, Shona |
| Affinity Bloc: | Sub-Saharan Peoples |
| Progress Level: |
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Introduction / History
The Doma people, also known as Vadoma, live in the Kanyemba region in the north of Zimbabwe. They speak Dema and Shona. They used to live in the mountains and are the only non-agricultural people in Zimbabwe. Many of them have gone to live in the lowlands.
What Are Their Lives Like?
They are hunter gatherers who have little contact with other Zimbabweans. They live off the land by hunting, fishing, trapping, and by gathering honey, wild fruits, and roots. Zimbabwe's government has made efforts to assimilate the Doma people into the rest of Zimbabwe's society by providing health clinics and schools, but so far, the Doma have not been convinced that integration is in their best interest. A commonly used nickname for the Doma people is "two toed" or "ostrich foot." This is due to the physical condition many of them suffer from called ectrodactyly, which is where the middle three toes are absent, and the two outer toes are turned inward. This is because of a chromosome mutation, and it has affected the Doma people for many years. This is partly because of a tribal law that forbids the Doma to marry outside their group. These Doma with this condition are not looked down on and are accepted by other members of their community.
What Are Their Beliefs?
They follow their ethnic religion though there are some who are Seventh Day Adventists. Ethnic religions put them at the mercy of the spirit world.
What Are Their Needs?
The Doma people need good schools and hospitals. As Muslims, they need to find grace and mercy in the loving arms of Jesus Christ, and him crucified.
Prayer Points
Pray for the Lord to thrust out workers to the Doma people. Pray that the Doma 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 to begin this decade.