Kutu in Tanzania

People Name:	Kutu
Country:	Tanzania
10/40 Window:	No
Population:	145,000
World Population:	145,000
Primary Language:	Kutu
Primary Religion:	Islam
Christian Adherents:	3.00 %
Evangelicals:	2.00 %
Scripture:	New Testament
Ministry Resources:	Yes
Jesus Film:	Yes
Audio Recordings:	Yes
People Cluster:	Bantu, East-Coastal
Affinity Bloc:	Sub-Saharan Peoples
Progress Level:

Introduction / History

The Kutu live south of Morogoro in the Mbeta River Buffer Zone on foothills of the Uluguru mountains. Rice, maize (corn) and sorghum are the main crops of this area. Coconut and banana trees are a cash crop. Cotton was a main crop until 1989. Now sesame seed has been introduced to this area.

The roads in this area are scheduled for a major upgrade and this should facilitate the flow of market goods and tourists coming to the north entrance of the Selous Game Reserve at Kisaki. Dakawa is one major Kutu community. There are a few primary schools in the area. A grammar in German is mentioned for this language as well as a German development group in this general area. Communities of the area seem to be multilingual. Some hypothesize that the availability of Scriptures in this language would help to solidify the culture.

Brad Harvey and Pioneer Bible Translators (PBT) are interested in working with this language cluster. The Village Assembly and Village Council will be two key groups to work with in an effective outreach to this group. It seems the Kutu trace their ancestry matrilineally through the sister's line. Women could play a key role in reaching this group and leading in literacy and community development projects.