People
Who they are
The Keenge Beembe are a subgroup of the Beembe, a Bantu people of the southern Republic of the Congo with ties to the former Kingdom of Kongo. They live mainly in the departments of Bouenza and Pool, in areas such as Mouyondzi, Sibiti, and Kingoué, and northwest of Brazzaville. They speak Beembe, whose dialects include Keenge and Yari, and many people also use Kituba. The language is written in the Latin alphabet.
Where they live
1
Country
153K
Population
| Country | Share of the people | Population |
|---|---|---|
Congo - Brazzaville Partially reached
|
100%
|
150.000 |
How they live
Beembe society is organized into clans traced through the maternal line, whose members may live in several villages, and families usually span three generations. The economy is based on farming, while hunting was the main activity in earlier times. Scarification, marks made on the skin as a sign of beauty and belonging to the community, was common until around 1950 and has now almost disappeared.
What they believe
Most Keenge Beembe identify as Christians, while some follow the people’s traditional religions. In Beembe tradition, there was a creator God, Nzambi, who held power over life and death and was not represented in images. Ancestors maintained ties with the living and received offerings through a priest, who spoke with them using statuettes called kitebi or bimbi. The village chief served as a mediator with the ancestors.
The Bible in this people's language
A people only truly understands the gospel when they hear it in the language of their heart. See how far the translation has come.
Beembe
Complete Bible
- Translation started Done
- Portions Done
- New Testament Done
- Whole Bible Current stage
Audio recordings Available
Jesus Film Available
Translation data: Joshua Project.
Gospel progress among the unreached
Christians (all traditions)74.8%
Evangelicals3%
Needs
The complete Bible in Beembe was finished in 2023, and the New Testament between 2013 and 2014. Since the Bible is recent, churches need to help families become familiar with it and read it in their own language. As Christianity and traditional religions coexist among the people, there is also a need for clear biblical teaching and leaders from their own people who will support Christians.
What to pray for
Intercede for this people
Pray for the complete Bible in Beembe to be used in churches and families.
Pray for Keenge Beembe leaders who will teach the Scriptures clearly.
Pray for Keenge Beembe Christians to follow Jesus with confidence.
Pray for families who still follow traditional religions to come to know Jesus.
Pray for Keenge Beembe
Intercede for this people alongside Christians around the world.
Open the Prayer Calendar