Bembe or Wabembe are Bantu people, occupying the whole coast of Lake Tanganika of the Kigoma Region. All of them are descendants of those who came from the Democratic Republic of the Congo a long time ago. Some of them changed the tribe name and are now called Wamanyema, others mixed with the Waha tribe (the majority ethnic group of the Kigoma region). They have their own language by the same name, Bemba.
They now live in Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Democratic Republic of Congo, and even Canada.
Bemba villages in the Democratic Republic of Congo usually consist of between 30 to 50 huts. Larger villages usually involve a chief who lives there.
Each family cultivates, harvests, and dries millet, cassava, and maize to make flour. They cook it with water to make a thick porridge called ubwali. In addition to this staple food, they grow pumpkins, squash, cabbage, spinach, and cassava leaves. Because of tsetse flies, Bembas do not raise cattle. They get their protein from fishing, wild game, and eating chicken and goat meat. They sell some of their crops, especially maize and cassava, at local markets. The Bembas also sell handcrafted goods such as clay pots, stools, drums, fishing nets, and farming tools. Men are responsible for burning plants and clearing the way for a new field. Women must plant and harvest crops. Women also pound grains into flour. They find wild mushrooms and caterpillars for eating. Wives teach their children household skills and farming techniques. Children have much freedom, but they must respect their elders. Kids must also attend school.
Their ancestors believe in a deity they see as the living God - the Yehova. Ancestors used to give offerings through prayers which they call "Iyela or Lo 'elo" when famine or illness come into the village. They also strongly believed in the spirit of the dead which they call "Oci". Oci are considered as the messenger from ancestors which come to visit the surviving children and grandchildren. Oci comes in the form of a spirit talking to people through a human being. For the Oci to come every time, a small round house must be built in the form of Msonge- which serves the purpose of invoking the ancestor.
The Bembas are usually Christian, but they blend Christian doctrines with animistic ones. Some of their denominations stay closer to the Word of God than others.
Bembas use bark, fruit, and plant extracts as medicine. If these don’t work, they go to an herbalist. They need medical clinics to provide modern medicine.
Pray for Bemba churches and church leaders to learn and embrace the teachings of Christ and turn away from destructive teachings.
Pray for Bemba Christians to make disciples who will make even more disciples.
Pray for the Holy Spirit to move powerfully in Bemba families and churches.
Scripture Prayers for the Bemba, Shila in Congo, Democratic Republic of.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bemba_people
https://iloveafrica.com/here-is-what-you-should-know-about-bemba-in-zambia/
https://www.101lasttribes.com/tribes/bemba.html
| Profile Source: Joshua Project |
