Makua, Makhuwa-Meetto in Tanzania

Introduction / History

Makhuwa-Meetto is one of the languages of the Makua people. This language is part of the Niger-Congo language family. Makhuwa-Meetto speakers live in southern Tanzania, Mozambique, Zimbabwe and various islands off the coast of East Africa including the Comoros. The Makua cluster is the largest group in Mozambique.

Their ancestors used metal tools. Traditionally, they were hunters, farmers and coastal traders.

What Are Their Lives Like?

The Makhuwa-Meetto Makua are usually farmers who grow corn, but they also fish and hunt for their food supply. Men clear the land and cut down trees followed by women who dig up the tree roots. When the land is ready the women sow the corn seed. Women also make pots and baskets for trade and domestic use.

An important initiation for Makhuwa-Meetto Makua boys is circumcision. At age 12 there is a ceremony where boys in that age bracket are circumcised together. They are deceived into believing the meeting will involve eating honey but then forced to lay down while the foreskin is cut off with a sharp knife. There is prayer and celebration. After this time the boys are mentored by a local chief known as the Mwene. They remain away from their families for a month while they heal and learn about their traditions. They are expected to behave like adults from then on.

At age 12 girls are set apart to learn about their roles. For two weeks girls stay away from their parents and are mentored by two female elders. Even before that time they are trained by their mothers, aunts and other female relatives. A mother must keep her daughter from being trapped sexually and the girl must remain a virgin. If she loses her virginity she becomes an outcast. Both genders are expected to undergo these traditions if they will ever marry.

When a young man is ready for marriage he approaches the girl’s father first. The father first wants to know if the potential son-in-law can support his daughter. There is no bride price since the Makhuwa-Meetto Makua regard this as a commercialization of marriage.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Although some of the Makhuwa-Meetto converted to Islam due to Arab influence, most still practice their traditional religion. In most African ethnic religions, there is a belief in a supreme being, although they don’t offer 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. But his influence is overshadowed by other spirit beings.

The Makhuwa-Meetto 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. They make every effort to provide a quiet, final rest for the dead. Otherwise, the dead will return as wandering ghosts. For this reason, the Makhuwa-Meetto spend much time and resources to ensure their ancestors remain content. They conduct rituals, utter prayers and make sacrifices to ensure the good growth of crops or to ensure good health.

What Are Their Needs?

The Makhuwa-Meetto need spiritual freedom from the spirit world. They need to put all their faith in the one true God who sent his son to die to pay for our sins.

Prayer Points

Pray for Makhuwa-Meetto leaders to have the spiritual hunger it takes to see Christ as he is and open their communities to his lordship.
Pray for the effectiveness of the JESUS Film, with many becoming his disciples.
Pray that God will use Makhuwa-Meetto believers to disciple others who will disciple others.
Ask the Lord to bring forth a vigorous movement to Christ among the Makhuwa-Meetto.

Text Source:   Joshua Project