The night’s rest at a lodge in Lindi, Tanzania, was refreshing. Following a breakfast of scrambled eggs, toast and hot tea, I looked at a map with my tour guide as he pointed out the location of the Makonde village we were to visit. I was excited! The Makonde ethnic group is one of the five largest people groups in Tanzania, and its population of more than 1.1 million is the largest of any group whose homeland touches the coastline
The village is located on the shore of the Indian Ocean, about 25 kilometers from the Lindi/Mtwara paved road. The map identifies the access route as a “village trail,” and the journey took us about an hour. Making this jaunt in a four-wheel drive vehicle with good seat belts was a definite advantage!
Upon our arrival, we were led immediately to the village chairman’s house. As we sat with him on short stools about 6 inches high, I explained the purpose of our visit. The chairman was open to our moving through the village to visit with people and take a few photographs. A young man from his yard volunteered to give us a tour.
The first stop was for pictures at an old man’s house and watching children play. Their homemade toys were simple to construct, yet they provided great enjoyment. Next we took a look at fishing boats that were used for the village’s primary source of income. Two hours slipped by while we visited with craftsmen, shop owners and families, and drank tea at the village restaurant.
Muslims lived on one side of the village while Christians and pagans lived on the opposite side. We
learned that when someone converted to Islam, they moved to the Muslim side of the village and took a Muslim name.
We spoke to a Muslim youth and asked if he was from the Makonde tribe. He responded, “I am a Muslim.” Islam taught him to reject his Makonde heritage because his people group was “unclean.” This is vastly different from a Christian believer whose faith teaches that Jesus reveals himself through an individual’s culture.
One Makonde youth accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior while living in a town on the main road. He was discipled by a Makonde pastor, who encouraged him to return to the village to preach the gospel. In response to God’s leading and his pastor’s advice, he accepted the challenge. He has been in the village for three years and has led his parents and brother into the kingdom of God. Today they hold services in a small church, and about 15 believers attend.
The Makonde are best known internationally for their carvings of their family tree—or lineage—from black ebony wood.
Below the surface of Islam, Makonde worship centers on the veneration of their ancestors. This dominant theme is depicted in the family tree carvings as the older generation on the bottom supports today’s generation, both literally and symbolically.
Please join me in this prayer: “May the Makonde be introduced to Jesus, the Savior, a solid rock on which to build one’s life for the present and for eternity. Amen!”
Makonde Profile