Zinza in Tanzania

The Zinza have only been reported in Tanzania
Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

The Zinza people live on the remote south-western shores and islands of Lake Victoria in northwest Tanzania.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Many are fishermen, working at night and tending towards a semi-nomadic lifestyle. The remainder are agriculturalists growing a variety of crops such as millet, beans, plantains, and a wide range of tropical fruits. They also raise cattle, sheep, and goats.

During the late 1940s, the government successfully eradicated the tse-tse fly problem in the area on and around the Lake. This led to large-scale migration of neighboring people groups into land traditionally dwelt by the Zinza, who were scattered around the southwest corner of the lake and live in a heterogeneous situation among the Sukuma, Haya, Kerewe and Jita peoples.

Although Swahili is used as the main language of communication between the different people groups, the Zinza are proud of their mother tongue and interested in learning to read and write in Echizinza (the language of the Zinza people).


What Are Their Beliefs?

Response to who Jesus is has been varied. Some see Jesus as the Son of God. Others see Him as a prophet; teacher; a good man, but not God's Son. Many have never heard His name.

Today, with the heterogeneous situation in which many Zinza live, there are several churches with Zinza members. These churches use Swahili, the national language of Tanzania, and Sukuma, a large neighboring language. Scripture portions were translated into Echizinza, but some of these portions were done as early as 1930 using an alphabet which has been very difficult to read. Significant language research has been completed and a revised alphabet is now in use. The "Way of Salvation" tract is completed and being distributed. They are a part of a translation cluster of 9 language groups in a region around the north east side of the Lake Victoria) that is moving forward together translating the book of Luke. The book of Genesis was completed in September 2009 and is being distributed.


Prayer Points

At the time of writing there was 1 pastor or evangelist for every 10,000 persons, 1 missionary for every 14,000 persons and 1 believer per 200.
There is a need for literature development, literacy and health care.


Scripture Prayers for the Zinza in Tanzania.


Profile Source:   Anonymous  

People Name General Zinza
People Name in Country Zinza
Alternate Names
Population this Country 445,000
Population all Countries 445,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 4
Unreached No
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed
PeopleID3 16108
ROP3 Code 111183
Country Tanzania
Region Africa, East and Southern
Continent Africa
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Mwanza and Kagera regions: Lake Victoria southwest shore; area islands.   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 Mwanza and Kagera regions: Lake Victoria southwest shore; area islands..   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Primary Religion: Ethnic Religions
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 3.00 %)
25.00 %
Ethnic Religions
73.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
2.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Zinza (445,000 speakers)
Language Code zin   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Zinza (445,000 speakers)
Language Code zin   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Zinza

Primary Language:  Zinza

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1930-2013)
Bible-New Testament No
Bible-Complete No
FCBH NT (www.bible.is) 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 Zinza Jesus Film Project
Film / Video My Last Day video, anime Jesus Film Project
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Scripture Earth Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
Mobile App Android Bible app: Biblia katika Kizinza Internet Publishing Sevice
Photo Source Atranus Mkago 
Map Source Anonymous  
Profile Source Anonymous 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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