People group profile · PG015687
The Zambezi Tonga of Zimbabwe
The Zambezi Tonga of Zimbabwe, numbering about 161,000 people, are Unengaged and Unreached. They are a Bantu‑speaking ethnic group of southern Africa whose traditional homeland lies along the Zambezi River and its escarpments, mainly in southern Zambia and northern Zimbabwe.
They are an indigenous people in the Bantu, Central-South people cluster of the Sub-Saharan African Peoples. Their primary religion is Ethnoreligion, and they primarily speak Tonga (Zambia).
Fast facts
- Country
- Zimbabwe
- Population
- 161,000
- Affinity group
- Sub-Saharan African Peoples
- People cluster
- Bantu, Central-South
- Primary language
- Tonga (Zambia) (toi)
- Primary religion
- Ethnoreligion
- Strategic Progress Index
- Unengaged and Unreached
- Evangelical
- Less than 2%
- GSEC
- Less than 2% Evangelical, No Recent CP Activity
- Lostness priority
- Pioneer Unreached People Group
- Also known as
- Tonga, BaTonga
- Region
- Eastern Africa, Africa
Where they live
Gospel status
The Zambezi Tonga are Unengaged and Unreached, which means fewer than 2% are evangelical Christians, and there has been no reported church planting activity in the past two years. In GSEC terms, this people group is less than 2% evangelical, some evangelical resources are available, but there has been no active church planting among them within the past two years.
- Congregations exist Yes
- Church planting in the last two years No Churches Planted
Next steps for the Zambezi Tonga
- Pray that God would send workers to this people group
- Begin sowing the gospel and seek out people of peace
- Plant the first churches consistent with evangelical faith and practice
Primary religion
Primary language
Tonga (Zambia) · Atlantic-Congo family
100% speak Tonga (Zambia)
Gospel resources in Tonga (Zambia)
- Bible available
- JESUS Film available
- Radio programs not available
- Gospel recordings available
- Audio resources available
- Bible stories not available
Films
Bibles
- 1963 Bible Society of Zambia · video, audio
Find more at the JESUS Film Project, Bible.com and Faith Comes by Hearing.
Pray for the Zambezi Tonga
- Revelation 7:9. Pray for the day when people from this group stand before the throne with every nation, tribe, people and language.
- John 17:3. Pray that many will come to know the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom he has sent.
- Psalm 27:1. Pray that new believers will be strengthened in the face of persecution, with the Lord as their stronghold.
- Romans 12:4–5. Pray that believers from many cultures will work together as one body so that the church is built up.
Tonga, Zambezi in other countries
The same people (ROP3 111137) is reported in 1 other country.
| People group | Country | Population | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zambezi Tonga | Zambia | 2,110,000 | Engaged yet Unreached |
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