People
Who they are
The mixed-race Saotomense live on the island of São Tomé, in São Tomé and Príncipe, mainly north of Santa Cruz, and a smaller community lives in Portugal. From the 1480s onward, Portugal sent people it did not want in the country to the island as exiles, known as degredados, and later brought enslaved people from Africa. The children of these couples, who were promised freedom, became the ancestors of this people. They are also called filhos da terra, meaning children of the land.
The Saotomense language, a Portuguese-based creole, is part of their identity. The mixed-race Saotomense are distinct from the contract workers from Angola, Mozambique and Cape Verde who arrived after independence.
Where they live
2
Countries
201K
World population
| Country | Share of the people | Population |
|---|---|---|
São Tomé & Príncipe Partially reached
|
95.1%
|
187.000 |
Portugal Partially reached
|
4.9%
|
9.700 |
How they live
Stories, folklore and poetry help keep the culture alive. Elders are highly respected, and people seek their wisdom. Important life events center on the Catholic Church: babies are baptized and couples marry in church, and these occasions are celebrated.
What they believe
Most mixed-race Saotomense are Catholic, and there are also Evangelicals among them. Some blend the Catholic faith with ancient African religious practices, such as venerating the spirits of deceased ancestors, and some sacrifice goats to these spirits.
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.
Saotomense
Portions translated
- Translation started Done
- Portions Current stage
- 3 New Testament Still ahead
- 4 Whole Bible Still ahead
Audio recordings Available
Jesus Film Not available
Translation data: Joshua Project.
Gospel progress among the unreached
Christians (all traditions)85.1%
Evangelicals5.9%
Needs
Churches need to support families beyond baptism and marriage, and to teach the gospel clearly to those who still blend the Catholic faith with veneration of the spirits of the dead. There is also a lack of Christian teaching in the Saotomense language, both on the islands and among those living in Portugal.
What to pray for
Intercede for this people
Pray for gospel teaching in Saotomense on the islands and in the community in Portugal.
Pray that the portions of the Bible already translated into Saotomense will reach families.
Pray for mixed-race Saotomense Christians to trust in Jesus rather than the spirits of the dead.
Pray for churches to continue supporting families after baptisms and weddings.
Pray for Mixed-Race Saotomense
Intercede for this people alongside Christians around the world.
Open the Prayer Calendar