Matengo in Tanzania
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| People Name: | Matengo |
| Country: | Tanzania |
| 10/40 Window: | No |
| Population: | 484,000 |
| World Population: | 484,000 |
| Primary Language: | Matengo |
| Primary Religion: | Christianity |
| Christian Adherents: | 80.00 % |
| Evangelicals: | 14.00 % |
| Scripture: | New Testament |
| Ministry Resources: | Yes |
| Jesus Film: | Yes |
| Audio Recordings: | Yes |
| People Cluster: | Bantu, Chewa-Sena |
| Affinity Bloc: | Sub-Saharan Peoples |
| Progress Level: |
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Introduction / History
The Matengo people live in Tanzania and Mozambique, a country that gained her independence from Portugal in 1975.
What Are Their Lives Like?
The Matengo are primarily an agricultural people. The men grow coffee as a cash crop while the women cultivate cassava, beans and maize for regular consumption. Ugali is a thick corn porridge; that is their staple meal. They raise livestock as well, but that is secondary. They have developed a method of farming on hillsides which prevents soil erosion and allows for soil nutrients to remain.
Their family structure allows for a man to marry more than one wife and the lineage is through his side of the family. She must rent land from her father-in-law to grow their staple crops. Matengo homes are usually one room which includes the kitchen and sleeping areas. Matengo folklore often involves talking animals and families.
What Are Their Beliefs?
In Tanzania the gospel has made great inroads into Matengo society. Though there is a large Christian minority among them in Mozambique, their spiritual lives are primarily about the spirit world.
What Are Their Needs?
The Matengo people need to put all their faith and hope in Jesus Christ, King of kings.
Prayer Points
Pray for the Lord to provide them with abundant crops this year as a demonstration of his love and power.
Pray for the gospel to have a greater impact on the Matengo people in Mozambique.
Pray for Matengo disciplers to make more disciples.