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The Sawfa
The fifth people group from the Mbeya, Tanzania region where Jonathan and I will be working is The Safwa. This article is from www.thetask.net. To see the first four people groups, click on the ‘Mbeya People Groups’ category on the right sidebar.
Many Safwa live in fear of the many occult groups and do not know what it means to be protected by Jesus Christ. Because of this, there is much enthusiasm among the Safwa about the translation work that is happening in their language. Pastors are especially excited about the hope of transformed lives that a Bible translation in their heart language will bring. The community is vastly supportive of the project; they value their language highly and are anticipating having the Word of God, which is the power of God giving freedom for those living in fear.
Geography and Climate: Mountains reach to over 2,700m with Safwa villages found from the plains up to the highest elevations. At 2,100m there are frosts in June and July. The rainy season, November-April, receives 90% of the year’s rainfall and during this time many of the roads are impassable to vehicles.
Population: Approximately 200,000
Cultural Information: Farmers of maize, rice, sunflowers, cassava, wheat, peas. Cash crops include cotton, potatoes, and coffee. Livestock is raised for subsistence and bride wealth and consists mostly of cows, goats, and sheep. The young men often go to find jobs in Mbeya town to supplement their income. The money they earn from farming would not be enough to live on. Most houses are of mud brick with either grass or corrugated iron roofing.
Religion: Traditional religions, about 50% Christians. Non-Christians are very open to the Gospel but also to joining occult groups.
Safwa Translation Team: The team has people from the Moravian Church, Free Pentecostal Church, and Evangelical Church.
The Safwa Church: There is strong desire for a Safwa Bible in both the community and among church leaders. Pastors are very enthusiastic about the project and they hope it will bring a major change to the way people live in the region. The manner in which they support their language team and the project shows their vision for God’s Word in their mother tongue.