Kxoe, Xun in Angola

Introduction / History

The Khwe live in various parts of southern Africa that straddle Angola, Botswana, Namibia, South Africa and Zambia.

What Are Their Lives Like?

They traditionally were a hunter/gatherer community but have recently been settled by governments and prohibited from practicing their traditional lifestyle. They still gather some food in the form of nuts, plants and fish. The Xun Kxoe use canoes on the river for transportation and in the bush, they employ donkey carts or walk.

Their dwellings are constructed of sticks covered with either grass or a mud/manure mixture.

Their family structure is patriarchal, meaning that the lineage of a family is traced through the father, and patrilocal, meaning that when married, the couple resides in the husband's father's village. The community is egalitarian with decisions requiring a consensus.

For enjoyment the people sing and play traditional instruments such as the mouth violin, a hunting bow strung with wire and hit with a stick. Overall, the people are depressed due to settlement, marginalization and persecution by the society at large.

What Are Their Beliefs?

They practice traditional forms of religion including ancestor worship characterized by the trance dance. Yet there is a gospel witness among the Xun Kxoe in each country where they reside.

What Are Their Needs?

The needs of the community include medical care due to the high rate of HIV/AIDS infection among the group, education, a means of livelihood, and evangelism. All they have are Bible portions.

Prayer Points

Pray for accurate translations for the Xun Kxoe people.

Pray for the Holy Spirit to draw entire Xun Kxoe families to Jesus Christ.

Pray for Xun Kxoe disciplers to disciple many others in the ways of the Lord.

Text Source:   Joshua Project