Gobu in Congo, Democratic Republic of

Introduction / History

The Gobu are a little known Adamawar-Uangi people group, one of a number of Bantu peoples of Africa. The Bantus settled across Africa, going from west to east. Some settled along the Congo River. Eventually the river gave its name to two Congos, the larger of which is the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Gobus live in both Congos. In DRC, they live in Equator Province along the Ubangi River, which facilitates trade with other groups.

The DRC is the former Belgian Congo, once owned by the Belgian monarch, but taken away from him by Belgium's parliament because he mistreated the people of Congo. With the Belgians, Christianity entered Congo, as did French as a government language. Unfortunately, with Belgian rule came cultural dislocation. With independence came ethnic strife, which did not affect the Gobu because of their small size and isolation.

What Are Their Lives Like?

The Gobu live in extended families in small villages led by elders. They have strong communal ties.They are primarily a rural people who farm casava, maize (corn), plantains, and beans. Hunting and fishing provides protein. There is some trading with other groups, using Lingala as a trade language. Their houses are of mud, wood, and thatch.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Some Gobus practice African Traditional Religion, with an emphasis on ancestors and nature spirits, shamans and healing. However, a high percentage of the Gobu are nominally Christian, Roman Catholic, or Protestant. Since sometime during the last third of the twentieth century, African Independent/Initiated Churches, with no missionary connections. However, because they are just now getting Scripture in their language, whatever the denomination, Gobu Christianity is primarily an oral faith. It lacks much discipling and theologically trained leaders. Furthermore, many cannot read their language, a trade language or French.

What Are Their Needs?

Gobus need health care, malaria treatments and antimalarial netting, safe drinking water due to water-borne diseases, and improved nutrition. They need infrastructure: roads, electricity, and water distribution. They need literacy. In a word, development.

There are also spiritual needs. They need the Bible in their language, discipleship, biblically trained local church leaders.

Prayer Points

Pray that the Holy Spirit will produce strong biblically literate churches focusing on discipleship and outreach to non-Christians.
Pray for Bible translation and literacy progress.
Pray that soon Gobu Christians will be taking the name of Christ to those without a gospel witness.
Pray for good health care, clean water, and improved nutrition.
Pray that God will send Christian health care workers, sanitation experts, and hydrologists to the Gobu.
Pray for stability and peace when there is regional conflict.

Resources
Resources are not specific to the Gobu. See People of the Ubangi Basin. For African Initiated/Independent Churches (AIC) see David Barrett, Schism and Renewal in Africa (Oxford, 1968).

Text Source:   Joshua Project