Northern Birifor in Burkina Faso

The Northern Birifor have only been reported in Burkina Faso
Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

The people name is Birifor and the language they speak is Birifor which is found in two dialects, the northern dialect, spoken in the Malba region, and the southern dialect, spoken in the Batie region. It is a Voltaic language related to the Dagara language with which it shares part of the vocabulary. The Birifir are found in the south west of Burkina Faso, and also in the north west of Ghana, in the Wa region. Their Birifor dialect again is different. It is believed that the Birifor in Burkina migrated from Ghana many years ago.


What Are Their Lives Like?

They live in extended families, in very large mud houses. At some point the sons with their wives and children move away from their father's house and start living on their own. They live off the land and sometimes have small cattle and chickens. Their economy is one of exchange; on the market that takes place every fifth day, they sell their surplus goods and buy what they need. Main products are local home-made goods and livestock. Some goods are still paid for with cowry shells. Malaria is common.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The main religion is Animism. Mission activity took place from 1961 onward and a Protestant evangelical denomination is now established in Burkina Faso as well as in Ghana. The language was analyzed and exists in writing. Literacy classes are organized every year in many villages. The New Testament is translated in the northern Birifor dialect (1993) and in the Ghanaian dialect.


What Are Their Needs?

Primary needs are economic. Harvests are not sufficient to feed the people all year round. Many other needs stem from this economic need.


Prayer Points

Strengthening of the leadership in the church
Discipling of new believers
Better crops and larger harvests
Good health care


Scripture Prayers for the Birifor, Northern in Burkina Faso.


Profile Source:   Albert Aartsma  

People Name General Birifor, Northern
People Name in Country Birifor, Northern
Natural Name Northern Birifor
Alternate Names Malba
Population this Country 255,000
Population all Countries 255,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 4
Unreached No
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed
People ID 10870
ROP3 Code 101480
ROP25 Code 301252
ROP25 Name Birifor
Country Burkina Faso
Region Africa, West and Central
Continent Africa
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 20  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country Sud-Ouest region: Ioba, Bougouriba, Noumbie and Poni provinces. West of Volta Noire.   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Country Burkina Faso
Region Africa, West and Central
Continent Africa
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 20  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country Sud-Ouest region: Ioba, Bougouriba, Noumbie and Poni provinces. West of Volta Noire..   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Primary Religion: Ethnic Religions
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 6.00 %)
16.00 %
Ethnic Religions
82.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
2.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Birifor, Malba
Language Code bfo   Ethnologue Listing
Primary Dialect Birifor
Dialect Code 1721   Global Recordings Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Birifor, Malba
Language Code bfo   Ethnologue Listing
Primary Dialect Birifor
Dialect Code 1721   Global Recordings Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Birifor, Malba
Map Source Anonymous  
Profile Source Albert Aartsma 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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