Rungwas are a Bantu-speaking ethnic group living primarily in the Mpanda District of Katavi Region in western Tanzania, near the northern plains of Lake Rukwa. They speak the Rungwa language (also called Icilungwa), which belongs to the Bantu language family.
Traditionally, the Rungwa practiced hunting and fishing, which shaped their cultural identity and daily life. Over time, they adapted to changing environmental and economic conditions, incorporating agriculture and livestock rearing into their livelihoods.
Today, the Rungwa people rely on agro-pastoralism. Their main economic activities are farming, raising livestock, and beekeeping. Their homeland experiences semi-arid conditions with limited and unreliable rainfall.
Rungwa communities organize around extended family units in rural villages. Social status often reflects a family’s involvement in farming, livestock ownership, and interactions with neighboring groups. Despite environmental challenges, the Rungwa continue to manage their resources with resilience and community cooperation.
Roughly 74% of the Rungwa identify as Christians, with most belonging to the Roman Catholic Church. However, only about 0.10% are considered evangelical believers. While many claim Christian identity, traditional spiritual practices still influence their worldview, creating a mix of biblical and indigenous beliefs.
This syncretism reveals the need for deeper engagement with the gospel. Many Rungwa have not yet heard clear biblical teaching that calls for repentance and new life through Jesus Christ. Few have access to discipleship in their heart language, and many churches lack trained, spiritually mature leaders.
Physical Needs – Rungwa communities face significant infrastructure challenges. Many villages lack clean water, electricity, and access to medical care. Schools are often under-resourced and far from home, making education difficult, especially for girls.
Pray for the development and distribution of evangelical Christian materials in the Rungwa language to aid in discipleship and spiritual growth.
Pray for the training and empowerment of local Christian leaders to effectively share the gospel and shepherd their communities.
Pray for the Rungwa people to experience a deepening of their faith and a move towards a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Scripture Prayers for the Rungwa in Tanzania.
Rungwa language - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rungwa_languageEthnologue+2Wikipedia+2Lughayangu+2
Rungwa in Tanzania people group profile - Joshua Project. https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/14594Joshua Project+1Joshua Project+1
Rungwa - PeopleGroups.org. https://www.peoplegroups.org/explore/GroupDetails.aspx?peid=15029PeopleGroups.org
Community Perceptions and Socio-Demographic Influence on ... https://www.scirp.org/journal/paperinformation?paperid=127722SCIRP
Social Organization and Social Status in Nineteenth and Twentieth Century Rukwa, Tanzania. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/265529871_Social_Organization_and_Social_Status_in_Nineteenth_and_Twentieth_Century_Rukwa_TanzaniaResearchGate+1asq.africa.ufl.edu+1
| Profile Source: Joshua Project |
