Introduction / History

Off the west coast of Equatorial Guinea is the island of São Tomé, named after St. Thomas by the Portuguese. Starting in the 1480s, the Portuguese sent those they did not want in their country, starting with Jewish people, then others. They were given the derisive term, degradados. Eventually, they brought slaves from Africa, whom the “degradados” eventually married. Their children were promised liberty from slavery. These children and the ones who came after them eventually morphed into six ethnic groups, including the Saotomense Mesticos. They are defined in part by their language, Saotomense.

Saotomense Mesticos live in São Tomé and Príncipe, with a smaller population in Portugal.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Most Saotomense Mesticos today are fishermen, though they also do other kinds of work. In their spare time, they enjoy stories, folklore, and poetry, which they use to keep their culture alive. They have great respect for the elderly and look to them for wisdom.

They live in poverty; their homes are often made from local materials such as mud or wooden planks. Commonly, their homes lack indoor electricity and running water.

Saotomense Mestico rites of passage are centered in Roman Catholicism. They celebrate when they baptize a baby, for example. Weddings are done in Catholic churches.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Saotomense Mesticos are primarily Roman Catholics, but there are Evangelicals among them. Some mix ancient African religious practices with their form of Roman Catholicism. For example, they revere the spirits of their dead ancestors; some make sacrifices of goats to ancestral spirits.

What Are Their Needs?

Saotomense Mesticos need a Christ-centered faith that will drive them to share him with those who haven’t heard.

Prayer Items

Pray for the Lord to provide for the physical and spiritual needs of the Saotomense Mesticos.
Pray for the Holy Spirit to send a mighty revival to the homes and churches of Saotomense Mesticos.
Pray for Saotomense Mestico Christians to be filled with the fruit of the Holy Spirit.
Pray for the Saotomense Mestico Christians to excel in love, joy, and peace as they take Christ to others.
Pray for them to have patience and kindness as they minister the gospel.

Scripture Prayers for the Saotomense, Mestico in São Tomé and Príncipe.

References

https://www.encyclopedia.com/humanities/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/sao-tomeans