People and Language Detail Report Profile Year: UNKNOWN Language Name: Benga ISO Language Code: bng The Benga people are a peaceful and friendly group of coastal fishermen, sailors and merchants. They are one of the 14 Ndowe people groups living along the coast of Equitorial Guinea (EG). Their traditional home is Corisco island and Elobey Grande and the mouth of the mighty Rio Muni estuary and the south coast of EG. Corisco island is a beautiful tropical paradise, famous for its snow white sand. Presbyterian missionaries from USA began work among the Benga in 1854. The NT was printed in 1893, followed by 18 books of the Old Testament between 1899 to 1902. Time and tropical humidity almost destroyed all existing copies. Revision and reprinting is desperately needed. The last missionary left Benga during WWII, in 1943, but the tiny protestant church started by the missionaries still hangs on. For economic reasons about 90% of the Benga left Corisco island. Primary Religion: Christian Disciples (Matt 28.19): Churches: 1 Scripture Status (Matt 28.20): Needs revision Population (date): 2,200 (1996)
Have They Heard The Gospel? Call Themselves Christian (%) 87 Prophet/Good Man, But Not God's Son (%) 2 Have Not Heard Who Jesus is (%)? Believe Jesus Is A Myth (%)? Number Of Communities 12 Number Of Churches 1 Is The Word Of God Translated? Translation Medium yes, but old and not many copies left printed Any Hinderance To Scripture Distribution? There is no Benga literacy program. literacy has enabled some to use Scripture in that language for the few who have them. For the old translation there are only a few tattered copies still around from the last printings nearly a century ago. Forms Of Gospel Presentation Available (Summary) No What Kind Of Missionaries Are Needed? Population All Countries World Population For This People 2200 World Population (Date) 1996 World Population (Urban Percent) 1100 Comment (World Population) Countries Where People Group Lives Country Name Country Name Geography & Environment Location Country Ecosystem Type Geological Type Elevation Longitude 9-10 Latitude 0-1 Climate Comments (Geography & Environment) yes, it would be wonderful to help them revise and reprint their Bible for the celebration of a 100 years Benga Scriptures. Only about 10% of the still live in their traditional homeland, the Island Corisco. A few live on Elobey islands, about 60% in continental and about 30% in continental Gabon, Libreville and north of it. Equatorial coast of West Africa Tropical Forest Volcanic islands 1 to 100 feet above sea Tropical, coastal with about 2000mm rainfall per year. The Benga love the water and are seldom found far away from the sea. Profile Summary Language & Linguistics Comment (Language) It is somewhat intelligible with Combe and other Ndowe languages. Alternate Language Names Boumba Attitude Towards Mother Tongue Percent Monolingual (%) 1 Second Languages 99 Other Mother Tongues Of This Group SPANISH Other Mother Tongues Of This Group SPANISH Comment (On Other Mother Tongues) some also know French
Linguistically Related Languages Linguistically Related Languages Comments (Related Languages) Neighboring Languages Literacy Literacy Attitude Active Literacy Program Publications In Vernacular 2 Comment (Literacy) Economics Subsistence Type 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 Transportation Combe, Ndowe, Languages of the Bongwe Yasa cluster I mentioned Fang which might not be true for the sake of continuing in the system which would not accept all the related languages mentioned. No They had the New Testament and 18 books of the Old Testament in the beginning of this century and a songbook. A literacy program could really help the people and is perceived as a real need. Fishers Fishermen, sailors, merchants Fish and trade except fish Mainland EG and Gabon, especially Libreville one diesel generator part-time on Corisco Island, Very basic lifestyle. Unemploiment and lack of opportunity has led to migration so that on their homeland the Corisco island life only 10% of the whole population. This had some negative consequences for the social structure of this people group. Poor Only one nurse with limited training, no doctor, no dentist Good There is no lack of food, but there is not always the nutritional balance. Education in this area could improve their health. Good In rainy season it is plentiful, but in dry season it has to be carried from inland and may be a bit stagnant some times Normal African wooden houses, occasional cement Poor Infant Mortality Rate 225 per 1000 Life Expectancy Leading Cause Of Death Comment (Community Development) Society & Culture Family Structures Neighbor Relations Authority / Rule Social Habits/Groupings only one family has part of the time a generator, otherwise fuel for cooking is wood. Outboard diesel fuel is bought in Gabon if possible. It is cheaper there. mostly western, some African mostly canoes and on foot. A few have outboard motors 48.8 years malaria, malnutrition The child death rate is high, but bot known for the Benga which is probably worse than the national figure: 120 to 225 per 1000 children ages 1 to 4 Close knit families, monogamous good, cooperative labor Government officials, president of the island. Military for major issues, local leaders for minor things. extended family communities and single family dwellings
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 Primary Schools 1 Primary School Enrollment 65 Language Of Instruction Early Years Language Of Textbooks Early Years Language Of Instruction Later Years Number Of Schools > 90% Homogeneous 1 Comment (Education) Church Growth Reached Status Medium Distinct Threatened Military/political corporal For the Catholics the catholic celebrations, for the others: birth, baptism, weddings, death swimming, hunting, very little entertainment for young people singing, drums no marketable craft nothing None Indifferent The Benga seem to have a comfortable life except from poverty, unemployment and isolation. Their society seems to run smoothly, no evidence of major tensions Fish, help parents, carry water and gather wood No higher education, no professional training, hardly any entertainment for youth. Spiritual revival, education, training and jobs. Perhaps an activity center A missionary family living and working among them could bring new life and hope to these precious people especially if part of the teaching and encouraging is done for the young people There is a primary school up to 5th grade on Corisco island. Almost all, 65 children participate. There are very few texts and materials in and only one teacher. Evaluated Total Baptized 2200 Lay Leaders 3 Comment (Church Growth) Religion & Response Religious Practices & Ceremonies Attitude To Christianity Attitude To Religious Change Resistance / Receptivity Religious Analogies & Bridges Spiritual Climate And Openness The Bengas had more mission effort in the last century and were more evangelized at that time. At present the vast majority of the Benga have probably not yet heard the Word of God in an relevant presentation. all Catholic practices Somewhat resistant They are extremely receptive to help, especially in the form of Scripture revision, reprinting, literacy, education and training. the Bible to read what they are to believe would make a big difference open
Comment (Religion) Recommended Approaches Current Needs Items For Prayer History Of Christianity In Group By Whom Significant Events Comments (History of Christianity) Scripture Translation Status Available Scripture Form Of Scripture Available Scripture Use 1 Scripture Use Comment (Scripture) Christian Literature And Media Status Literature Available Audio Recordings Available Films Available Radio Programs Available Videos Available Audio Visual Available There are about 40 protestants, evangelicals Less than half of the 84% Catholics are active in church. Some New Apostolics from Germany offer incentives to attend their services and are growing as a group. The Benga would relate to Christ and his disciples as fishermen, and to the simple lifestyle of the Hebrew culture. Also a Spaniard or Latin American might be culturally more able to relate to them and to reach them. The Benga are spiritually needy, nearly lifeless, but open to anyone who sincerely wants to help them. The time is ideal for general revision, and even for finishing up the Old Testament translation which is still remaining. It would be very nice to have them for the centennial celebration, 100 years after the fist printing. for revival of the struggling Benga church. For protection against sects. Pray for somebody to take the time to help them get their Scriptures reprinted and for development workers to help them in all the other aspects needed. Presbyterian William Clemen from the USA was their firs missionary. 1850 a wooden church was built 1893 New Testament published 1898-1902 Old Testament 18 portions published. 1936 current cement church built 1943 last missionary left 1980 affiliation with IRGE A number of missionaries gave their lives for the Benga a century ago and are buried on Corisco island. They did not have the advantage of today's medicine, communication and transportation and technology Revision New Testament Printed Unknown The Benga Scriptures are in a desperate need to be revised. Wycliffe Spain has started to reprint Benga Scriptures. Contact them if you like to contribute or if you know of somebody who could help revise and check them. Scripture portions and a hymnbook.