Kwaya

Murondoro


Kitende


The Kwaya language group is estimated to number about 115,000 people. The area they live in borders on Lake Victoria and includes the city of Musoma. Because of this location many Kwaya men spend their days out on the lake fishing, while the women tend to be at home managing the familes as well as farm plots.

In the past, Kwaya people were encouraged to only marry other Kwaya. But, the mentality has changed. A mentality of unity in the country was encouraged by President Julius Nyerere while he held office from the mid-1960's until the 80's. This impacted most language groups, and Kwaya was one of them. They have also seen a lot of change due to the influx of various people into the Musoma area, resulting in significant diversity of languages and ways of life.

We work with two translators for the Kwaya language: David Murondoro and George Kitende. Though the Roman Catholic church is the most prominent denomination in the Kwaya area, both Murondoro and Kitende are affiliated with the Free Pentecostal Church of Tanzania. Murondoro is an evangelist in the local FPCT church, and Kitende serves as secretary. Kitende and his family (including four children of his own) have lived in the Musoma area since the early 1970's. Murondoro is younger and was engaged to be married just two weeks ago! They had a celebration in the church after the Sunday worship service.

Murondoro and Kitende both speak fondly of Kwaya villages. They claim that good fish is more readily available there than in Musoma, and the opportunity to be able to just speak Kwaya and not have to bother with Swahili is great. Though the big focus of our work is Bible translation, they are also excited about the other materials that will result from Kwaya literacy efforts. They feel like their Kwaya people will be able to take more pride in their culture and language, and will enjoy books that serve as a reminder of cultural stories and sayings.