People
Who they are
The Nyemba live mainly in Angola, in the southern and southeastern interior, and also in Namibia. There are churches among them, mostly Catholic, but many families maintain traditional beliefs related to protecting the family and their relationship with the dead. Few are Evangelicals.
The name Ngangela was first given to a small group and later used for several neighboring peoples, each with its own language and identity. As a result, not everyone who bears this name shares the same customs. Nyemba life centers on farming and kinship ties, and the war that began in 1975 affected them more deeply than colonial rule.
History and origin
Ngangela was the name of a small people group, but it came to be applied to other groups east of the Bié Plateau. The Portuguese had little success entering their land, and the Nyemba were not forced to work for the colonial government or pay taxes. What affected them most was the Angolan civil war.
The war forced families to flee. A group of Nyemba refugees from Cuando Cubango Province settled near the town of Rundu in northern Namibia. There, many avoided talking about ethnicity so they would not be treated as foreigners.
Where they live
2
Countries
1.2M
World population
| Country | Share of the people | Population |
|---|---|---|
Angola Superficially reached
|
98.5%
|
1.192.000 |
Namibia Superficially reached
|
1.5%
|
18.000 |
How they live
Most grow crops to feed their families. They raise small livestock and gather wild fruit and honey. Women cook, plant crops, make pottery and weave; they dry food in the sun and prepare drinks. Men hunt, fish, clear land, build huts and keep bees.
The whole family shares in raising children, and the whole village cares for the elderly. Rules of etiquette guide greetings and respect for elders.
What they believe
Most are Catholic, but Catholicism is blended with ancestral beliefs. Many believe that the spirits of deceased relatives stay with the family and can affect their health and well-being, so they offer prayers and offerings. Nature is also seen as carrying divine power.
Churches need to take into account how families understand illness, death and protection. Bible teaching can help Christians know Jesus better and live out their faith with respect for their elders.
Language and the Bible
The older Ngangela Bible translation was produced by missionaries almost 60 years ago and has become difficult to understand. As a result, many churches began reading the Scriptures in Portuguese. In 2019, the New Testament was released in contemporary language, in print and digital formats, and there is also a dramatized audio recording. A complete Bible is not yet available: the Old Testament is in preparation.
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.
Nyemba
New Testament complete
- Translation started Done
- Portions Done
- New Testament Current stage
- 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%
Evangelicals0.2%
Barriers to the gospel
When the Bible is available only in an old text, its message feels distant from everyday speech, and Portuguese ends up taking the place of the language of the heart. Another challenge is supporting Christians as they address issues such as relying on the spirits of the dead for protection. Teaching needs to be clear and closely connected to family life.
Needs
For families who live by farming, water is a problem at certain times of the year, and some need reliable irrigation. In many communities, medical care is too far away in an emergency.
Churches also need support to teach the Bible in the people’s language and bring the New Testament to every family.
Signs of hope
The translation team took ten years to complete the New Testament and persevered despite technical problems, illnesses and accidents. The book has been printed and is being distributed to communities, and the audio recording allows families to listen to it, including those who read very little.
What to pray for
Intercede for this people
Pray for water for the fields and for the livelihoods of Nyemba families.
Pray for Nyemba communities to have access to health care, especially in emergencies.
Pray for the distribution and study of the New Testament in Nyemba, in written and audio formats.
Pray for the translators and teachers working on the Old Testament in Ngangela.
Pray for Nyemba Christians to mature in faith as they face illness, death and fear of spirits.
Pray for Nyemba churches to teach all generations about Jesus in the people's language.
Pray for Nyemba Ngangela
Intercede for this people alongside Christians around the world.
Open the Prayer Calendar