Tshara-Tshao in Zimbabwe

Introduction / History

The Tshara-Tshao of Botswana and Zimbabwe live in cattle posts and villages among the scrub forests, deserts, and savannas of southwestern Central District and northeast Kweneng District in Botswana.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Few own land. Income for the Tshara-Tshao people derives from working for cattle owners, teen girls working as maids in villages, and others receiving money from the government. The government is rezoning Tshara-Tshao land. The Tshara-Tshao are paid to move and stay in villages where there is no available work. There is widespread boredom and alcoholism.

In the cattle posts, the people build single-room homes, three yards in circumference. The walls are wood post frames and the roof and walls are branches, grass, or discarded metal roofing. About five people live in one home, usually without electricity.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Animism is the Tshara-Tshao people's religion. Some Tshara-Tshao men have a bag of bones, hoofs, and pieces of wood that they shake and throw on the ground to determine the cause of illness. They need a Bible in their Tshuwau language. A lay leader mentio

What Are Their Needs?

They need a complete Bible in the Tshuwau language. As it stands, they do not understand why they need to be devoted to the one true God of the Bible.

Prayer Points

Pray for a complete and accurate Bible translation.
Pray for a movement to Christ among the Tshara-Tshaos.
Pray there will soon come a day when the Tshara-Tshaos will take Christ to their neighbors.

Text Source:   Joshua Project