The Alagwa of Tanzania
Population: 40,000
Location and Background: The Alagwa live in in a geographically remote area at 4,000-6,000’ elevation in the hills and mountains of central Tanzania. They live in 15 villages, and although the Bubu river runs through the lower lands, the higher regions suffer from lack of water and they often must walk miles to find water to meet the needs of their families.
History: The Alagwa are a Cushitic group, who migrated south from the horn of Africa. They believe they are descended from Habesh, who was the 10th generation from Noah’s son Ham, and are still living with the curse put on their ancestor.
Culture: The Alagwa are subsistence farmers, growing maize and millet. They also keep cows, goats and sheep. They are very community oriented, living in houses made of burned brick with roofs of thatched grass. The Alagwa speak both Alagwaisa and Kiswahili.
Religion: A tribal legend says that once when some Alagwa visited Mecca they were rejected by the Muslims for having ‘no religion’—only animistic beliefs. They later embraced Islam, so that now well over 90% are Muslims. However, they seamlessly blend their traditional beliefs with their Islamic ones. Allah, Mungu and Lala’a are all used to refer to God. So although they are called Muslims, their beliefs and practices are strongly steeped in their traditional ways of life.
Latest Prayer Updates:
Following Jesus Challenges Our Deepest Loyalties
Alagwa of Tanzania: Please pray for Mama H, a long-time friend and disciple among the Alagwa. Recently, a conversation about her faith became difficult when she was challenged about two areas of her life: the charms she continues to wear and the decision to send her daughters to an Islamic school. Mama H became upset and felt that the questions were going too far. She indicated that if her children’s choices were going to be challenged, she was not interested in continuing to study together. For those serving among the Alagwa, moments like this are both painful and discouraging—especially when they involve people who have been close friends and long-standing disciples. But they also reveal an important reality of discipleship: the Gospel does not simply ask us to learn about Jesus. It calls us to surrender every part of our lives to Him. For Mama H, the areas being challenged are deeply connected to family, community, and identity. These can be some of the most difficult things to surrender.
Please pray for Mama H, that this difficult conversation would ultimately draw her closer to Christ rather than push her away. For courage to follow Jesus, even when doing so creates tension with family, community, or cultural expectations. Ask for wisdom for those discipling her, that they would speak truth with both courage and love, while continuing to demonstrate patience and friendship. For Mama H’s daughters, that they would encounter Jesus for themselves. For many Alagwa believers, that their faith would grow beyond knowledge of Jesus into wholehearted allegiance to Him. Pray also for the many others who are studying Scripture and learning about Jesus. Pray that when the Gospel confronts deeply held loyalties and practices, they would choose Christ—even when the cost is high. May the Lord break every stronghold that keeps people from surrendering fully to Him, and may Jesus receive His inheritance among the Alagwa.
To Know and to Surrender
Alagwa of Tanzania: Please pray for Mama S, a long-time friend among the Alagwa. Mama S has struggled for many years with physical and spiritual difficulties connected to her family’s history. Her father was a well-known and influential witch-doctor. Recently, Mama S came to the Pastor and I asking for prayer. She willingly offered a strong prayer of repentance herself, welcoming Jesus and renouncing all inherited spiritual powers connected with her family history. Yet later, she admitted that her desire was actually to be physically healed. She didn’t intend to follow Jesus or surrender her life to Him. This is a difficult reminder that knowing about Jesus is not the same as surrendering to Jesus. Following Christ can challenge the deepest loyalties, fears, relationships, and beliefs that have shaped a person’s life.
Please pray: For Mama S to genuinely encounter Jesus and recognize Him not simply as the One who can heal her, but as Lord and Savior. For true repentance and surrender, that she would willingly turn away from the spiritual practices and beliefs that have held influence in her life. For freedom from spiritual bondage, and that every influence opposed to Christ would lose its hold as Mama S comes to faith in Him. For wisdom and perseverance for those discipling her, that they would know when to speak, when to listen, and how to walk patiently alongside her. For other Alagwa who are wrestling with similar decisions, that they would understand the cost of following Jesus and yet discover that He is worth everything. Pray that Jesus would not simply become part of Mama S’s life, but that He would become Lord of her life.
