Ngwo, Ngwaw in Cameroon

Ngwo, Ngwaw
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People Name: Ngwo, Ngwaw
Country: Cameroon
10/40 Window: No
Population: 36,000
World Population: 36,000
Primary Language: Ngwo
Primary Religion: Christianity
Christian Adherents: 73.00 %
Evangelicals: 2.00 %
Scripture: New Testament
Online Audio NT: Yes
Jesus Film: No
Audio Recordings: Yes
People Cluster: Bantu, Cameroon-Bamileke
Affinity Bloc: Sub-Saharan Peoples
Progress Level:

Introduction / History

The Ngwo people are somewhat isolated, living in several valleys of a mountainous area. They are primarily farmers, growing their own food. They also export coffee for cash to buy things they cannot get locally. The Ngwo live in a semi-tropical area and there are two seasons: the cool rainy season and the warm dry season.

Germans began colonization of the area in the late 1800s, later followed by the English after World War I. Since then the Catholic Church has proliferated and Presbyterian, Baptist, and Apostolic groups have emerged among the Ngwo as well. Today, many are Christian by name, but traditional religion is so fundamental in their culture they do not see the contradiction between the two.

The Ngwo speak Pidgin for communicating with outsiders, and Ngwo, their mother tongue, within the group. Many Ngwo have a primary education, but few go on to secondary school. Since there is a small number of Ngwo that are literate and the only Scriptures available to them are in English, access to the Word of God is difficult. The Ngwo have a great need for a translation of the Bible in their language, for literacy, and a clear Christian teaching, so they can disciple believers, and teach them effectively.

Text Source:   Anonymous