People and Language Detail Report Profile Year: 1998 Language Name: Ngumbi ISO Language Code: nui The Kombe of Equatorial Guinea The Kombe people live primarily on the coast of Equatorial Guinea along an 80 km stretch, from the city of Bata in the north to the city of Mbini in the south. They are peaceful fishers and hunter-gatherers. Historically, the Kombe are one of the 18 Ndowe tribal groups. Ndowe means: we united. They all live along the coast of EG and also along the coasts of Cameroon and Gabon. Their language is one of at least 16 Bantu languages in the Bongwe cluster. Possibly as a result of the prominence of the Kombe in favorable relationship with colonial powers, the name Kombe is often used in modern times to group up to ten of the less prominent Ndowe people groups. The language shift among these groups seems to be towards a more united Kombe language. ( Names of these groups are: Asonga, Bomudi, Yandye, Moganda, Bole, Ndama, Mooma, Bobenda, Mapanga, and Kombe. As a result of the colonization, the large majority of the Kombe are nominally Roman Catholic. But less than 3% have personally accepted the Gospel. The New Testament was translated in the mid 1900's and last published in 1975. There is a possible need for revision, as well as for educators (literacy and general), Church planting and evangelism. There are no full time missionaries among the Kombe people (1996) Primary Religion: Christian Roman Catholic Disciples (Matt 28.19): 2.5% Churches: 2 Scripture Status (Matt 28.20): New Testament Population (date): 4,000 (1996)
Have They Heard The Gospel? Call Themselves Christian (%) 90 Believe In Jesus As God & Only Savior (%) 2.5% Prophet/Good Man, But Not God's Son (%) 2.5 Number Of Pastors 2 Comment (Pastors) Number Of Missionaries Working 1 Number Of Communities?? Number Of Churches 2 Is The Word Of God Translated? Translation Medium Any Hinderance To Scripture Distribution? Forms Of Gospel Presentation Available (Summary) What Kind Of Missionaries Are Needed? Population All Countries There are in addition 2 part time pastors. The NT, and Mark printed need for translation revision or at a minimum some checking, Literacy, Scripture in use, Church planting, lack of personnel and resources. No yes World Population For This People 4000 World Population (Date) 1996 World Population (Urban Percent) 2000 Comment (World Population) Countries Where People Group Lives Country Name Country Name Geography & Environment Location Country Ecosystem Type Geological Type Elevation Longitude 9 Latitude 1-2 Climate Comments (Geography & Environment) Language & Linguistics Comment (Language) Alternate Language Names Attitude Towards Mother Tongue Percent Monolingual (%) 1 Second Languages 99 Other Mother Tongues Of This Group Other Mother Tongues Of This Group 50% in small developing towns 50% rural jungle. The Kombe (ngumbi) represent 1% of the population of Equatorial Guinea and live along the coast. Equatorial Guinea Equatorial Guinea West coast of Central Africa, Equatorial Guinea Equatorial Guinea Tropical Forest Coastal 1 to 500 feet/ 150m Tropical, average rainfall 2000 mm The strategic location of the Kombe along the coast and at the mouth of the Uoro Mbini river was probably a major factor in their favorable relationship with colonial powers, and resulting prominence among the Ndowe groups today. Profile Summary The language is used in every domain, except in school and with non Kombe speakers. Combe, Kombe, Bongwe Very receptive SPANISH SPANISH
Comment (On Other Mother Tongues) Linguistically Related Languages Linguistically Related Languages Comments (Related Languages) Neighboring Languages Literacy Adult Literacy Percentage 1 Literacy Attitude Active Literacy Program Publications In Vernacular 3 Comment (Literacy) Economics Subsistence Type Average Annual Income? Occupation Income Sources Products / Crafts Trade Partners Modernization / Utilities Comment (Economy) Community Development Health Care (Quality) Comment (Health Care) Diet (Quality) Comment (Diet) Water (Quality) Comment (Water) Shelter Description Energy/Fuel (Quality) Comment (Energy) Clothing The people seem to be able to speak an astonishing number of languages: practically everybody speaks, some French, many speak Fang and other Ndowe languages. NGUMBI NGUMBI Bantu languages of the Bongwe continuum, from Yasa cluster to Babuku- Benga in the south SPANISH Very receptive Yes 50% of the people are literate in, 10% in Kombe. They have a desire to learn to read in their mother tongue. They have the Gospel of Mark, a hymnbook, and animal stories ( likano na bolo nyama). A literacy program could really help the people. Fishers fishing, sailing, cargo merchants, Hunter- gatherers fish, coconuts, previously also cocoa. wood sculptures, jewelry. Fang, foreigners limited. No public water utility in continental EG. Sporadic electricity i8n Bata. A few diesel generators elsewhere. They trade in exchange for basic foodstuffs from Cameroon, Gabon, or Spain. Fair Need for medical training and medicines. Only the hospital in Bata has trained staff with surgical facilities. The clinics essentially distribute drugs, but are unable to provide more care. Good yucca, greens, malanga, forest meat, peanuts, many fruits Fair poor to fair, fair during rainy season, poor during dry season. It should be boiled or filtered, but few do. Normal African wood houses, always in need of repair and lack of supplies and resources. Poor primary fuel is wood. Electricity only in Bata where some Kombe live. Petroleum products are expensive and limited. western, some African Transportation boats, very few vehicles, some taxies in the bigger cities, cross country bush taxies are dangerously overloaded. Infant Mortality Rate 345 per 1000 Life Expectancy Leading Cause Of Death 48.8 years malaria, trop. diseases
Comment (Community Development) Society & Culture Family Structures Neighbor Relations Authority / Rule Social Habits/Groupings Cultural Change Pace Identification With National Culture Self Image Judicial / Punishment System Celebrations Recreations Art Forms Media Local Language Broadcasting Attitude To Outsiders Attitude To Change Comment (Culture) Youth Labor and tasks (6-12 year olds) Youth Problems (Teens) Youth Greatest Needs (teens) Comment (Youth) Education Percent Of Eligible Students Enrolled 99 Teacher To Pupil Ratio 99 Language Of Instruction Early Years Language Of Textbooks Early Years Language Of Instruction Later Years Language Of Textbooks Later Years Number Of Schools > 90% Homogeneous 99 Comment (Education) Church Growth Reached Status While there is a tremendous need for doctors, dentists, medicines, and medical training, health care seems to be improving in the last few years. The leading causes of death are still some sicknesses which could be prevented or cured: malnutrition, bleeding diarrhea, Mildly patriarchal, single family dwellings, extended family communities. Patrilocal. Good relationships among all. Villages are controlled by village chiefs and by family authority. There is also a paramount chief. The coastal Ndowe groups tend to be monogamous. Typical Ndowe villages tend to be set a bit back from the beach, with one principal entrance/ exit path between the beach and the village. Traditionally the chief's hut is the first hut when you enter the village. Slow Integrated Depressed political and criminal level by government. Social misbehavior, first in the family, then in the village councils, lastly before the paramount chief. Birth and death, both day long events, marriage, Catholic fiesta celebrations, anniversaries of death. dance, swim, canoe races, soccer. wooden sculptures, masks, music, traditional dancing. limited < 20 minutes daily Very receptive Somewhat resistant They have long been open to help and relationships to the outside. Help the parents in every thing, care for younger siblings, cook from 8 years on, fish from 10 years on. Lack of education and especially for funds for higher education, drugs: opium, iboga root, lack of jobs and job training, aids. Spiritual outreach, basic education, training, jobs, higher education The government is open to receive help from those who are sincerely committed to helping, rather than exploiting in some way. There is an open door for professional teachers and health professionals to really help the Kombe people. Ideal situation for Hispanics who want to help and serve. There is a school in every village, most of the children go to school, most schools are more than 90% homogenous. A bilingual literacy program for the Kombe could have tremendous results in their educational advancement and progress in. Evaluated
Total Baptized 99 Lay Leaders 15 Bible Schools 3 Christian Clinics/Hospitals 1 Comment (Church Growth) Religion & Response Religious Practices & Ceremonies Attitude To Christianity Attitude To Religious Change Spiritual Climate And Openness Comment (Religion) History Of Christianity In Group By Whom Significant Events Comments (History of Christianity) Scripture Translation Status Available Scripture Form Of Scripture Available Scripture Use Scripture Use 1 Comment (Scripture) Missions and Churches Organization Name Number Of Adherents 50 Number Of Expatriate Workers 1 Organization Name Number Of Adherents 50 Number Of Expatriate Workers 1 Organization Name Year Started 90 Number Of Expatriate Workers 1 These are the numbers of the Protestant church. The Bible schools are open for all other languages too. The Statistics for the Roman Catholics are not known here. All Catholic practices Somewhat receptive Somewhat resistant good attitude towards missionaries 90% are Roman Catholic 20% of them are active. 2.5% are protestant and there are a few sects Presbyterian Mid 1800's Presbyterian missionaries started work among them which grew gradually until the 1960. Political suffering and total cut off from missionaries at that time led to near extinction of the evangelical witness. Doors reopened in the 1980's, and in the 1990's a slow awakening begun. There is need for training and collaboration, NOT for attitudes of white superiority. Revision New Testament Printed Unknown It would be helpful if somebody could give some consultant help to review the existing Scriptures. Pentecostal Presbyterian Brethren Literacy Christian Literature And Media Status Literature Available only the Scriptures which need revision, a hymnbook and the animal story book
Audio Recordings Available Films Available Radio Programs Available Videos Available Audio Visual Available