Kamwe, Higi in Cameroon

Introduction / History

The Mənta and Higi Kamwe live in Adamawa State, Nigeria along the Cameroonian border (some Hya people live in Cameroon as well). The Mənta (known also as Mukta) originated from a nearby mountain of the same name. Although they speak the same language as the Higi Kamwe, culturally the Mənta are part of the Fali people along with the speakers of Kəryə, Konzəl, Madzara, Vin, Huli, šwin, and Zhilvu. The common name for the language spoken by the M?nta and Hya is Higi, a term sometimes used for the Kamwe and Psikye as well.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Currently there are no literacy programs available for the Higi Kamwe in their local language, but the village leaders say that the people would be interested in learning to read and write their own language.

Hausa is the official church language among the Higi Kamwe. Many church-goers own Bibles, but only in English or Hausa. Although there is a New Testament in Kamwe, few understand it. Some Christian radio programs are broadcast in the area in Hausa and several other languages.

What Are Their Needs?

A deacon from a Baptist church in one Higi Kamwe village states that Bible translation is needed because people understand their heart language more easily than Hausa or English. The Hya in Cameroon are using the Psikye New Testament. Little is known about the Hya in Nigeria. Perhaps they are using the Kamwe New Testament; perhaps it is too difficult for them to understand.

Prayer Points

Pray for loving gospel workers to catch a vision for reaching the Higi Kamwe people for Jesus and that in God's sovereign timing the hearts of these people would be open and ready to follow him.

Pray for Jesus movements to bless extended families so the gospel will spread rapidly.

Pray for the spiritual lives of the Higi Kamwe people to become fruitful so others will be drawn to Jesus Christ.

Text Source:   Joshua Project