The Eastern Teke (Ibali) are a Bantu ethnic group found primarily in the Democratic Republic of Congo in rural Kinshasa and in the Bandundu Province. Others live in the Republic of Congo. They speak Teke language, Mosieno dialect. Their name means to sell, which aptly describes them as traders. One person is called a Moteke, while a group is called Bateke. They are related to other Teke groups in the Republic of Congo and Gabon, and to the Kongo and Yansi peoples of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
A powerful Teke kingdom was established in first century A.D. in what is now the Republic of Congo. It flourished until the 12th and 13th centuries with its capital at Mbé. By the 15th century it became a vassal of the Kingdom of Kongo, and many other people groups began to press in on them. They then pushed north into what became (and is still) known as the Bateke Plateau. During the Republic of Congo's colonial period under the French (1880's-1960), they lost land to the government with a massive displacement of people. A treaty with the French in 1883 took more of their land in return for protection. In the 1960's, the Teke regained some of their independence, and traditional life started to flourish again. Ngalifourou (1864-1956) was one of their famous queens.
The Teke have a family-centered social structure. The chief or 'mfumu' is head of the family, his prestige growing with the size of family. In the past, chiefs sometimes took on slaves to increase their prestige. Sometimes the Teke chose blacksmiths, a tradition passed down from father to son, as chiefs. Their traditional clothing is made of raffia from a native palm tree, the same raffia which is used to make hats, baskets, mats, and houses. They also use leopard and cheetah furs, which are a symbol of authority. Traditional body paint called kaolin, made of white clay, is used for face and body decoration. The Teke are known for their artistic pieces, particular, their masks.
Most Teke are farmers raising maize and millet, working two plantations annually: forest (ngwunu) for the dry season, and savanna (antieni) for the rainy season, where yam, groundnuts, tobacco, sesame are raised. Small vegetable and medicinal gardens yielding eggplant, hot pepper, taro, and tomatoes are also grown around houses in the village. Banana trees are planted to commemorate births. The placenta is buried under the tree, and if the person later becomes very ill, he can have a healing ceremony conducted under the tree. Fruit trees—mango, avocao, or oil palm—are often planted over homesteads of deceased relatives. Extensive cultivation of pineapple for wine making began in the 1950's.
The Teke are also passionate about hunting. Using traps, guns, and nets, they sometimes camp out to hunt, in groups of 6-7 men. They also breed domesticated dogs and cats.
Almost all Eastern Tekes identify as Christian, but under it all, there are traditional animistic practices. They worship spirits of nature and have a deep connection with their ancestral spirits. The village chief is their most immediate religious leader, considered an intermediary between spirits and living, a keeper of potions and bones used in traditional ceremonies. Each new chief undergoes a series of enthronement rites over a period of two years. His role is to keep the tribe safe through traditional ceremonies, and to keep peace in the community. Many voodoo practices like spells, curses and sacrifices are part of their religion. The chief is called 'mfumu mpugu', and his decisions are never doubted. He has the absolute right of life and death over family members. They also worship their ancestors under the supervision of a diviner (nganga). He owns a small statue containing the soul of an ancestor called Tamakuwi. Ancestors are believed to live in sacred forests, near rivers, in clearings and caves. The Teke fear the ancestors will torment them if they do not give them enough attention. The nganga is also believed to be capable of discovering witches. In addition to village chiefs, clan chiefs are also important. They guard a large wooden fetish figure called 'father of the earth.'
Masks, symbols of families, clans and tribes, are used in traditional ceremonies like weddings, funerals and male initiation ceremonies. Teke masks are roundish, flat, disk-like, made of wood with abstract geometrical patterns painted in earthtones as well as dark blue and black. All have triangle-shaped noses and narrow eye slits that enable to wearer to see out, pierced with holes along the edges to allow for attachment of a woven raffia dress with feathers. It is held in place by a bite bar in back that the wearer holds with his teeth.
Because the Teke live in rural isolated villages, they lack adequate access to health care. Communication is difficult, and poor roads and lack of adequate transportation make it challenging to get their crops to market.
Although evangelical churches have been planted amongst the Teke, most lack adequate leadership to make disciples. Many villages have no evangelical witness
Pray for strong, godly, leaders with a heart for the Teke people.
Pray for adequate employment for pastors and for the upcoming generation that is often discouraged by lack of opportunity.
Pray that the stronghold of African Traditional Religion may be broken so that believers may live and witness confidently in Christ.
Scripture Prayers for the Teke, Eastern in Congo, Democratic Republic of.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teke_people
https://www.101lasttribes.com/tribes/teke.html
| Profile Source: Joshua Project |
