About the Chikunda

The Chikunda people were not formerly a tribe. Chikunda is a word for soldier; the Portuguese used these people as soldiers on their plantations. Over the years as the Portuguese influence waned between Tete and Zumbo, several slaves ran away and several of the warlike soldiers who had traded their services for helping their masters catch slaves also ran away. They were warlike and over the years raided neighboring tribes like the Nsenga and Soli and captured wives. They carved out a small section for themselves there on the confluence of the Luangwa and Zambezi. They are now a tribe in their own right, with their own Chief, culture, and  language.  They were once the most warlike of tribes found in our area and David Livingstone tells of a frightful night he spent in present day Luangwa Boma negotiating with them for canoes. He says that it was the most afraid he ever was while traveling in Africa. Now, the Chikunda are some of the most responsive people to the gospel and are considered unreached. There is not a bible translation in their language however most Chikunda who can read, understand Chinyanja and there is that translation of the bible.  The Luangwa area and surrounding areas of Mozambique and Zimbabwe are extremely receptive to the gospel. People there have a great desire to hear and accept the gospel, but there is very little gospel witness.