The South Makaa of Cameroon

The South Makaa of Cameroon, numbering approximately 238,000 people, are Engaged yet Unreached. They are a Bantu people of Cameroon's East Region around Abong-Mbang, among the first Bantu groups to enter Cameroon from the Congo basin between the 1300s and 1600s, later fleeing south and east from advancing Beti-Pahuin peoples rather than merge with them. They mostly adhere to Roman Catholicism and Makaa is their primary language.

Photo by Google. (2026). Image generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash: South Makaa

Fast Facts:

Affinity Group: Sub-Saharan African Peoples
Country: Cameroon
People Cluster: Bantu, Central-Congo
Primary Language(s): Makaa (mcp)
Primary Religion(s): Roman Catholicism
Population: 238,000
Strategic Progress Index (SPI): Engaged yet Unreached
Global Status of Evangelical Christianity (GSEC): Less than 2% Evangelical, No Recent CP Activity
People Group ID: PG012785
View on Joshua Project

Pray for the South Makaa of Cameroon

Join others around the world in praying for the lost to be saved, the gospel to advance, the global Church to grow, and for laborers to be sent out and sustained in the harvest.

Dig Deeper (Religion):

Primary Religion: Roman Catholicism
Religious Affiliation: Christianity

55%
%
Roman Catholicism Adherents

Dig Deeper (Language):

Primary Language: Makaa
Language Family: Atlantic-Congo

100%
%
Makaa Speakers

Media Resources in Makaa:

Films:
TitleLink
JESUSView Film

1 film

Bible Resources in Makaa:

Bible Name (Translation)VideoAudioText
2014 Bible League International✓✓✓

1 entry

Or check out the Makaa bible at Bible.com

Linked from YouVersion

SPI: Unreached yet Engaged

The South Makaa are Engaged yet Unreached, which means there are less than 2% evangelical Christian populations but there are sustained efforts at establishing self-sustaining churches consistent with evangelical faith and practice.

Next steps for the South Makaa:
Continue prayer and fasting for this group
Continue gospel seed sowing and church planting among this group
Begin training up local leaders to lead and develop strategies to reach their own people

Pray specifically for the South Makaa of Cameroon

When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
readMatthew 9:36

Pray that those who have no hope and are in need of a Savior will be comforted by the Good Shepherd, who seeks to gather the lost and weary into His care.

After this he went out and saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting at the tax booth. And he said to him, “Follow me.” And leaving everything, he rose and followed him.
readLuke 5:27-28

Prat that God will prepare many hearts to meet Him when He says, “Follow Me!” and that they will respond in faith, leaving everything behind to follow Him.

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
readIsaiah 9:6

Pray that as people place their faith in Christ, they will rejoice in the coming of the Prince of Peace because He will bring everlasting peace and rule with justice and righteousness.

After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”
readRevelation 7:9-10

Pray that the promise in Revelation 7:9-10 will encourage believers from among them or from nearby people groups to share the gospel with people who have never learned it.

South Makaa Across Countries (ROP3 - 109448) reported in the following countries:

Strategic Progress Index
All

1 people group

To download a comprehensive people group list in spreadsheet form, visit our Research Data page.

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