The Yeke Beliefs

Throughout their history, the Yeke people have remained monotheistic. It is worth noting that their belief in an omnipotent God does not begin with the arrival of Europeans or missionaries; however, it dates to their origin in Tanzania, where they were and are still known as Basumbwa ni Linze, which means “creatures of god.”

To the Basumbwa, the name ‘God’ had different meanings. To better illustrate this point, here are some other names that the Basumbwa had for god:

– Aliho: the one who is, He exists

– Likazyoba: the sun or bright sunshine

– Litayomba Muntu Kabi: the one who never speaks ill of anyone

– Likube: the one to whom everything is subject

– Kube Nyangasa: the sovereign lord and creator

– Libwelelo: the universe, the one that is

– Seba: the master, the great leader

– Katabi: the shaper, the builder

– Mwenekili: the one who owns the world, the master, the owner

It must be stressed that the monotheistic belief of the Bayeke (Basumbwa) is combined with the cult of ancestors, whom the Bayeke call ‘Misambwa. Although aware of the almighty god, the Basumbwa invoke their ancestors for a multitude of reasons, because they serve as a link between the living and God.

The first Yeke king to be baptized in the Christian faith was the Mwami Mwenda Kitanika Mabumba Mushalila Numa Albert. He was the first to usher in the syncretism between the Christian and Yeke faiths. Apart from Mwami Mwenda Munongo Musamfya Ntanga, the subsequent yeke kings have been Christian Catholics.

This month, we have included in the newly added section called “LEARN SHISUMBWA the “Our Father” prayer in Shisumbwa. Found in the Gospel of Mathew, chapter 6, 9-13, this prayer is central to the Christian faith.