Makua, Makhuwa-Meetto in Mozambique

Introduction / History

The Makua speak a language that is part of the Niger-Congo language family. People who speak this language live in Mozambique, the Comoro Islands, Zimbabwe and Mayotte. By far the largest population is in Tanzania.

In the past they have been slaves and seafaring traders.

What Are Their Lives Like?

They are farmers who hunt for some of their meat supply.

As an ethnic group they are organized into small sub-groups, but they have no central authority. The Makua engage in scarring of their bodies and faces in elaborate patterns.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Although some of the Makua have converted to Islam due to Arab influence, most still practice their traditional animistic religion. In most African ethnic religions there is a belief in a supreme being, although they don’t give him regular worship. In many regions, there is the belief that at one time, this supreme being lived near the earth, but due to human familiarity, he withdrew himself from close involvement. He is still reverenced, however, as the one who sends rewards or punishments.

The Makua also believe in other spiritual beings that take the form of nature spirits or the spirits of dead ancestors. Powerful cults of the dead are the dominant feature of religious life, providing a basis for social life in East Africa. The dead are regarded as heads of their families. Once they have left their human bodies, they are thought to possess additional powers. These spirits receive much more formal worship and attention than the creator god. Every effort is made to assure a quiet, final rest for the dead. Otherwise, they will return as wandering ghosts. Time and resources are spent to make sure that the ancestors remain content and that the spirits are pacified. Certain rituals are conducted in conjunction with prayers and sacrifices to ensure the good growth of crops or to ensure good health.

What Are Their Needs?

With so little known about the Makua, they have easily remained a hidden people. The Makua need to be set free from the fear that comes from their pagan beliefs. Only through the cross of Jesus can they experience such freedom. Intercession is the key to seeing this become a reality in their lives.

Prayer Points

Ask the Lord to call full-time workers to make sure the Makhuwa-Meetto people can hear and respond to the lifesaving gospel.
Ask the Holy Spirit to grant creative ideas of evangelism to mission agencies focusing on the Makua Makhuwa-Meetto.
Pray for effectiveness of the JESUS Film among them.
Pray that God will use Makua Makhuwa-Meetto believers to share Christ with their own people. There are many Christians among them in Zimbabwe and Tanzania that can reach them in Mozambique.

Text Source:   Joshua Project