Ndzwani Comorian in Madagascar


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

Comorians live on a group of islands in the Indian Ocean between Madagascar and Mozambique, Africa. The Comoros chain consists of four main islands plus several smaller ones. Comorian communities can be found on all of the islands in the chain, as well as in Madagascar. The different Comorian groups take their name from the particular island on which they live.

The official name of the islands is the Federal and Islamic Republic of the Comoros. Until 1975, all the islands belonged to France. At that time, the three largest islands declared their independence; but Mayotte, the fourth island, chose to remain a French possession.

The Comorians are a blend of settlers from the past: Iranian traders, mainland Africans, Arabs, and Malagasy. Because of poor economic conditions, the islands receive monetary and technical support from other countries.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Most of the islanders work as farmers or fishermen, while a few raise cattle, sheep, goats, and donkeys. A small number work in industry or in jobs relating to tourism. The Comoros Islands are very poor and underdeveloped.

The basic diet of the Comorians consists of rice, potatoes, corn, fish, coconuts, and bananas. Other crops that are grown are sweet potatoes, citrus fruits, and pineapples.

Although young people wear Western style clothing, traditional clothing is still common among the adults. In town, a Comorian man will typically wear a white cotton garment and a knee-length shirt, sometimes with a white jacket and a white skull cap. When he goes out of town, he wears a long cloth sarong (colorful skirt). Most women wear long, colorful cotton dresses, with bright shawls as face coverings. Other women prefer wearing black robes that cover their heads.

Polygamy is an acceptable practice among Comorians. Children are expected to help with the farming, fishing, and caring of the animals. For recreation, Comorians enjoy dancing, singing, and playing instruments, especially horns and drums.

Over one-quarter of all Comorians live in cities; but whether in rural or urban areas, housing on the island is generally of poor quality. Although French and Arabic are the official languages of the islands, Comorians speak their own Swahili dialect.


Most Comorians follow Islam, with a strong emphasis on folk and animistic elements such as charms, magic and trances.
What Are Their Beliefs?

Comorians are Shafiite Muslims, yet mosque attendance is very low. Mixed with their Islamic practices is a strong involvement in occultism and spirit possession.

Traditionally, Comorians have been very resistant to any kind of religious change; however, they are gradually becoming more receptive to other ideas.


What Are Their Needs?

The physical needs of the Comorians are numerous. Major problems on the Comoros Islands include poverty, disease, and hunger. Educational levels are low, and less than half of the population is literate.

There is a shortage of hospitals and doctors, and many people suffer from illnesses and chronic malnutrition. Because of a poor water supply, good hygiene is lacking. Such problems contribute to a high death rate, especially among young children.

The spiritual needs of the Comorians are even greater than their physical needs. Though freedom of religion exists on the islands, evangelism is not well received by these Shafiite Muslims. Their commitment to Islam, coupled with involvement in occultish practices, has made these people difficult to reach.

Christian resources are limited. Consequently, the number of Comorian believers remains small. Prayer is the first step toward seeing these people reached with the Good News that Jesus Christ came to set them free.


Prayer Points

Ask the Lord to call people who are willing to go to the Comoros Islands and share the Gospel with Comorians.
Ask the Lord to grant wisdom and favor to missions agencies focusing on Comorians.
Pray that God will give the small number of Comorian believers boldness to share Christ with their own people.
Ask the Lord to send Christian teachers and medical teams to work among Comorians.
Ask God to raise up an army of intercessors for the Comorians.


Scripture Prayers for the Comorian, Ndzwani in Madagascar.


Profile Source:   Bethany World Prayer Center  

People Name General Comorian, Ndzwani
People Name in Country Comorian, Ndzwani
Natural Name Ndzwani Comorian
Pronunciation n-DZWAH-nee
Alternate Names
Population this Country 16,000
Population all Countries 372,000
Total Countries 3
Indigenous No
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
People ID 19403
ROP3 Code 115068
ROP25 Code 301826
ROP25 Name Comorian
Country Madagascar
Region Africa, East and Southern
Continent Africa
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Country Madagascar
Region Africa, East and Southern
Continent Africa
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Map of Comorian, Ndzwani in Madagascar
Primary Religion: Islam
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
100.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Comorian, Ndzwani (16,000 speakers)
Language Code wni   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Comorian, Ndzwani (16,000 speakers)
Language Code wni   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Comorian, Ndzwani

Primary Language:  Comorian, Ndzwani

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (2011)
Bible-New Testament No
Bible-Complete No
Possible Print Bibles
Amazon
World Bibles
Forum Bible Agencies
National Bible Societies
World Bible Finder
Virtual Storehouse
Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Film / Video God's Story video God's Story
Photo Source Islas Comores - Flickr  Creative Commons 
Map Source People Group location: Library of Congress Madagascar Country Study, Map geography: ESRI / GMI. Map design: Joshua Project.  
Profile Source Bethany World Prayer Center 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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