Significant Facts - Safwa in Tanzania

• 1. The Safwa are an ethnic and linguistic group based in the mountains of the Mbeya Region, Tanzania.

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  Alternate names for Safwa are Ishisafwa, Cisafwa, and Kisafwa.The Safwa language is a member of the large Niger–Congo language family group. The city of Mbeya is at the center of their traditional homeland, but most Safwa have fled urbanization. They are concentrated, instead, in villages around the city of Mbeya and extending out some 30 miles into the surrounding mountains and valleys.This people group is only found in Tanzania.
• 2. The Safwa people are primarily farmers

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  growing crops of maize, rice, sunflowers, cassava, wheat and more. They also grow cash crops such as cotton, potatoes and coffee. Livestock — primarily cows, goats and sheep — is raised for their livelihood and for bride price. Since they don’t earn enough money from farming, the young men often go into Mbeya towns to supplement their income.
• 3. Some tradition and customs have remained, such as allowing new born children to die of hunger with the death of their mother.

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  Giving birth to twins was a severe shock to parents who then normally allowed one to die of hunger, thus avoiding the fear of the possible death of the parents due to two angry spirits.Alcoholism is a big problem among the Safwa.
• 4. There are evangelical churches in Safwa villages

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  but many are filled with people of other groups who have moved into Safwa areas.The Safwa people are becoming more open to the gospel of JESUS CHRIST. However, a large number of them remain traditionalists, especially the older generation.