Mwani in Mozambique

The Mwani have only been reported in Mozambique
Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

The word "Mwani" means "beach" in their language. Mwani tradition states that around 1,100 years ago Arab traders came down the east coast of Africa to trade and to take slaves. Entire people groups along the coast became Muslims because the Arabs, being Muslims, were not allowed to take another Muslim as slaves. In this way the Mwanis also became Muslims. Today, to be a Mwani is to be a Muslim. From when they are children, Mwanis go to the Madrassa, or Islamic school. There they learn about Islam and learn to read and recite the Quran in its original Arabic form (Quran means to recite in Arabic), but many don't understand its meaning. Despite this ability to read Arabic, most Mwani are illiterate in their own language. Many speak only a little bit of the national language, Portuguese, and then not on a level enabling understanding of the Gospel.


Where Are they Located?

The Mwani live along the coast of northern Mozambique, and on islands close to the coast.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Most of them live not far from the sea. Most are very poor. Some make their living from fishing and transporting people by sea, many through trading, baking, and some farming. Many men attend mosque five times a day.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Folk Islamic. Very dedicated to Islam, but with some animistic practices, especially among the women.


What Are Their Needs?

The gospel. Micro enterprise development. Education.


Prayer Points

A breakthrough of the gospel
Breaking down of spiritual strongholds
Wisdom, safety and health for the missonaries


Scripture Prayers for the Mwani in Mozambique.


Profile Source:   Anonymous  

People Name General Mwani
People Name in Country Mwani
Alternate Names Ibo; Lbo; Muwame; Quimuane
Population this Country 158,000
Population all Countries 158,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 3
PeopleID3 13902
ROP3 Code 106980
Country Mozambique
Region Africa, East and Southern
Continent Africa
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 39  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country In the north of Pemba, between Arimba and Palma, Ibo, Mocimba da Praia and the Querimba Islands.   Source:  Field worker
Country Mozambique
Region Africa, East and Southern
Continent Africa
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 39  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country In the north of Pemba, between Arimba and Palma, Ibo, Mocimba da Praia and the Querimba Islands..   Source:  Field worker
Map of Mwani in Mozambique Ethnolinguistic map or other map

Primary Religion: Islam
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.03 %)
1.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
89.00 %
Non-Religious
10.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Mwani
Language Code wmw   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 2
Secondary Languages
Makwe
Primary Language Mwani
Language Code wmw   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 2
Secondary Languages
  Makwe
People Groups Speaking Mwani
Photo Source Iris Global Ministries 
Map Source People Group location: IMB. Map geography: ESRI / GMI. Map design: Joshua Project.  
Profile Source Anonymous 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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