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Last summer Dan Andrade left Toronto to work on a TIMO team among the Zaramo people of coastal Tanzania.
The Zaramo are not generally counted among Tanzania’s wise, learned, or cultured. They aren't famously known for skill in any specific craft, and are not really given to building vast or beautiful homes (10ft x 12ft tatched huts about does it).
Throughout most Zaramo territory (as in Tolkein’s Shire) the people take pleasure in well tilled earth; they grow vegetables, enjoy dried fish and the brewing of fine ales (or, in the absence of fine ales, ugimbi— the local millet beer.) Virtually every man smokes, the number of cigarettes depending on his pocketbook. There are, perhaps, a couple dozen believers out of more than 600,000 people.
Life is pretty relaxed here—at least for the men. The young sit around all day in the dukkas (shops), shooting the breeze; the old sit in the village center. There are exceptions, of course, but the women, in fact, do most of the work.
The Zaramo are mostly Islamic (99%). Over the years, Western missionaries to Tanzania have preferred the cooler, safer climates to the oppressively hot, disease-ridden coastal areas. There are, perhaps, a couple dozen believers out of more than 600,000 people.
Theologically, the Muslim faith is a thin overcoat to deep-seated animistic beliefs. Many Zaramo have built small shrines to their ancestors in or about their homes. They routinely visit witch doctors to buy blessings, medicines, charms and curses – often at the expense of education, medicine, hygiene, housing and even food.
But Ngomas are what truly define the Zaramo. An Ngoma is an all-night dance party, sometimes held for young women (aged 13-16) ready to be married, but more often an attempt to appease spirits or communicate with the dead. The festivities usually start one afternoon and last until the next, and accounts for a slew of Zaramo pregnancies.
Despite Islam, the Zaramo are very promiscuous; virtually every relationship ends because someone is cheating on someone else. Zaramo men are not really men if they haven't slept with at least four women. Zaramo women are told they cannot be truly satisfied without at least three men at any given time: one as a husband, for respect; one who is rich, to give them gifts; and one for love, someone they can truly relate and talk to. Few have met all three needs in one man.
And yet, despite bondages to spiritism, to Islam, to alcoholism and other vices, the Zaramo are aPlease join us in praying. Much, much prayer is needed warm and friendly people. They are hospitable and welcoming; they can be patient, friendly, and generous. With the exception of some teasing from groups of girls (matriarchal culture- women have the power), I have enjoyed working here.
This is the culture in which we are immersed. I yearn and long and pray to see the Gospel spread amongst the Zaramo—to see this culture redeemed and lives transformed.
Please join me in praying. Much, much prayer is needed.
CLICK HERE to read more about the Zaramo on Dan's blog |
