Makhuwa in Mozambique

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

Introduction

The Makhuwa are also known as “Nahara” which translates as “fisher” and reflects the occupation of this distinct people group. They live in rural communities on the coast of northern Mozambique and fishing is their main vocation. They prefer a simple lifestyle and do not mind being dependent on others who are more educated and can solve their problems for them.


Ministry Obstacles

The Makhuwa tend towards extremely conservative and suspicious attitudes. They tend to keep to themselves and rarely form friendships with outsiders or other ethnic groups. Although they have an animistic worldview including ancestor worship and divination, the Makhuwa root themselves deeply in Islamic tradition; however, many remain unfamiliar with the details of Islamic doctrine.


Prayer Focus

Ask the Holy Spirit to divinely inspire the handful of Makhuwa churches to find a way to reach the hearts of their people.
Pray for the availability of good schools for the children, and that parents would send them to school.
Ask God to equip teachers and pastors to be available to instruct new believers in the ways of the Lord, to lead them to spiritual maturity and fruitfulness.


Scripture Prayers for the Makhuwa, Nahara in Mozambique.


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Makhuwa, Nahara
People Name in Country Makhuwa, Nahara
Natural Name Makhuwa
Pronunciation MAH-koo-uh
Alternate Names
Population this Country 460,000
Population all Countries 460,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 9
PeopleID3 20820
ROP3 Code 116271
Country Mozambique
Region Africa, East and Southern
Continent Africa
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 37  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country Nampula province: south of Meetto area; border areas in Niassa, Cabo Delgado, and Zambezia provinces.   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Country Mozambique
Region Africa, East and Southern
Continent Africa
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 37  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country Nampula province: south of Meetto area; border areas in Niassa, Cabo Delgado, and Zambezia provinces..   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Map of Makhuwa, Nahara in Mozambique
Ethnolinguistic map or other map

Primary Religion: Islam
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.02 %)
0.02 %
Ethnic Religions
30.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
69.98 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Makhuwa (460,000 speakers)
Language Code vmw   Ethnologue Listing
Primary Dialect Naharra
Dialect Code 30003   Global Recordings Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Makhuwa (460,000 speakers)
Language Code vmw   Ethnologue Listing
Primary Dialect Naharra
Dialect Code 30003   Global Recordings Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Makhuwa
Photo Source Steve Evans - Flickr  Creative Commons 
Map Source Location: IMB. Imagery: GMI, ESRI, Maxar, Earthstar Geographics, ESRI User Community. Design: Joshua Project.  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.