Swahili Bantu of East Africa Coast
Population: 720,000 (Joshua Project)
“Behold, the former things have come to pass, and new things I now declare; before they spring forth I tell you of them. Sing to the Lord a new song, His praise from the end of the earth, you who go down to the sea, and all that fills it, the coastlands and their inhabitants.” Isaiah 42:9&10
Location: Along the Indian Ocean coast of Kenya, Tanzania, & Mozambique
Religion: Folk Islam; Less than 1% of the Swahili are Christian.
History: The Swahili people came into existence after Bantu tribes along the coast of East Africa were invaded by and intermarried with Arab traders who settled permanently along the coast around the 11th century. The Swahili developed their own trade language which was a mixture of Bantu tribal languages and Arabic. The name Swahili even comes from the Arabic word meaning “coast.” The Swahili refer to themselves as the “Waswahili” – People of the coast. The Swahili seamlessly syncretized their traditional animistic beliefs when they converted to Islam, creating their own unique culture.
Culture: The Swahili-Bantu are predominately small scale fisherman, subsistent farmers, and tradesmen. Although the Swahili-Bantu identify primarily as the “Waswahili” (the people of the coast), a majority still know their traditional Bantu tribal ancestry. All Swahili speak Kiswahili as their primary language, but a few of the older generation know some of their traditional tribal language as well.
What remains of their ancestral Bantu ceremonies, rites and rituals has been syncretized with Islam and is performed in Swahili &/or Arabic. They are known throughout East Africa for their witchcraft and witchdoctors who have incorporated Arabic & the Koran into their rituals & incantations. They live in fear of their Islamic leaders and being cursed by one another.
Many spend their meager incomes to ward of the evil spirits and the curses they bring. Women and girls are quite vulnerable and are seen predominately as objects to be possessed or traded by men. Although there are Christian resources (including the Jesus Film) and multiple Bible translations available in the Swahili language, the Swahili are known for their strong resistance to churches, missionaries, and traditional ways of sharing the gospel. There are churches throughout the Swahili coast, especially in towns and cities, but their membership consists of a high majority of non-local Christians from reached tribes who have sojourned into the area for business or government work. These churches have been mostly ineffective in reaching the lost Swahili around them.
Latest Prayer Updates:
Beacons of Light
Swahili Bantu of East Africa Coast: Ten years ago, before our team settled there, a survey found almost 80 villages in Kilwa District with no Christian witness. This summer, a follow-up survey indicated that 82 churches have been planted since that report! These churches are now beacons of light and truth in 40 of the previously unreached villages. All glory to God! Praise the Lord for the evangelists who are living in these remote villages to be a light to a small congregation. Praise Him for the church leaders who identify, train, and encourage the evangelists to send to new places. Our team’s role has primarily served to mentor pastors, and to support and encourage the church leaders. Many people working together fulfill God’s purposes. Praise the Lord for His grace to persevere over the past decade. Pray that these 82 congregations will hold fast to the faith and become multiplying communities of witness into the remaining areas unreached by the gospel.
New Believers Along the Coast
Swahili Bantu of East Africa Coast: Praise God for the many young people who heard the Gospel during a recent outreach in coastal Tanzania! More than forty people responded to the invitation to follow Jesus. During a week-long sports camp, believers had opportunities to build relationships with children and young people and share the good news. What began as a gathering of about 100 youth grew to more than 200 by the final day. Praise God for the doors He opened and for the seeds of the Gospel that were planted. Please pray especially for the local church as it comes alongside these new believers. Pray for church leaders to have wisdom, strength, and perseverance as they shepherd those who are beginning to follow Jesus. Pray that these new brothers and sisters will be firmly established in their faith and grow into mature disciples. Pray also for the young people in these coastal communities—that the seeds planted through these relationships and outreaches would take deep root and bear lasting fruit. May the local church become strong and increasingly equipped to carry the work forward.
