Many centuries ago, the vast number of Fulani tribes migrated from northern Africa and the Middle East into Central and West Africa. Today, most of them are semi-nomadic shepherds who travel with their flocks, always searching for better grazing land. The Sahara Desert forms their northernmost boundary, while the tsetse flies limit their movement to the south. Over the years, some of them have moved from being exclusively shepherds, to being scholarly, influential leaders in their communities.
The Fulani tribes are grouped and named according to their locations, occupations, and dialects. The Liptako Fula are a branch of Fulani living in the Macina district of central Mali and northern Burkina Faso. They have lighter skin, thinner lips, and straighter hair than other African groups that live near them. This suggests that they are of Caucasian origin. They speak Masina, a Niger-Congo language.
The hot, tropical climate of the Macina district provides wet and dry seasons, and these seasons dictate the lifestyle of the Liptako. They are a semi-nomadic people, mixing farming with shepherding. During the dry season, which lasts about four months, the young men usually move the herds of cattle, sheep or goats to the flood plains in search of better grazing land. They camp in portable shelters made of poles or branches covered with straw, leaves, or mats.
While the young men are migrating with the herds, their wives, and the younger children stay at the homestead with the family elders, tending to the gardens. They raise a variety of vegetables, but their staple crops are rice and millet. A few animals such as horses, donkeys, chickens, and dogs also live on the farms.
In the wet season, the herds and the families remain in the villages. Villages are made up of extended families who form a compound. Their homes are made of flexible poles and a center post supporting a thatched roof. Around every compound is a thorn fence. Each of the Liptako bands, whether nomadic or settled, is governed by an elder. The elder answers to a village chief who lives in the center plaza of the village.
The herds are a very important asset to the Liptako. Milk from the cattle and goats provides the main portion of their diet. Butter is made and also sold at the markets. Meat is only eaten at important festivals or ceremonies. The Liptako raise both long-horned and short-horned cattle. Two types of sheep are also raised: one with hair and one with wool. The wool sheep are important for trade, and indicate the economic status of their owners.
Values such as valor, bravery, and strength are important to the Fulani. This is shown in one interesting Liptako custom known as sharo. This custom tests a young man's adulthood. If two young men desire to marry the same woman, they must beat each other with canes until the less persistent suitor is eliminated.
Virtually all of the Liptako are Muslims. Children are taught religious foundations in Islamic schools. However, the elders are responsible for teaching them tribal values and traditions. The elders thrive on telling tribal stories to the next generation. To the Fulani, children are the future. They do not believe in an afterlife, so children are the only means by which they can live on from generation to generation. They believe that through their sons, their names and features will remain. If a Fulani dies with no children, it is as if he dies twice.
The New Testament has been translated into Masina, the Liptako language. The Jesus film and audio recordings are also available. However, very few of the people have accepted Christ. Much prayer is needed to break the Islamic stronghold that is over their lives.
* Scripture Prayers for the Fulani, Maasina in Burkina Faso.
* Ask God to raise up prayer teams who will begin breaking up the soil through worship and intercession.
* Pray for God's wisdom and favor to surround missions agencies focusing on the Liptako.
* Pray that God will strengthen, encourage, and protect the Liptako believers.
* Ask the Lord to give these converts a vision to share Christ with their own people.
* Ask the Holy Spirit to soften the hearts of these precious people to the Gospel message.
* Ask the Lord to raise up strong local churches among the Liptako Fula.
Profile Source: Bethany World Prayer Center |
Link Up Africa |
People Name General | Fulani, Maasina |
People Name in Country | Fulani, Maasina |
Natural Name | Maasina Fulani |
Population this Country | 9,600 |
Population all Countries | 1,772,000 |
Total Countries | 4 |
Indigenous | No |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
Unreached | Yes |
Frontier People Group | No |
GSEC | 6 (per PeopleGroups.org) |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 1 |
Alternate Names | Fula Kita; Fula Macina; Fulani; Fulbe Maasina; Fulfulde Masina; Liptako; Maasina; Macina; Macina Fula; Macina Fulani; Niafunke; Peuhala |
People ID | 11773 |
ROP3 Code | 103078 |
Country | Burkina Faso | ||
Region | Africa, West and Central | ||
Continent | Africa | ||
10/40 Window | Yes | ||
National Bible Society | Website | ||
Persecution Rank | 28 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) |
Country | Burkina Faso |
Region | Africa, West and Central |
Continent | Africa |
10/40 Window | Yes |
National Bible Society | Website |
Persecution Rank | 28 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) |
Primary Language | Fulfulde, Maasina |
Language Code | ffm Ethnologue Listing |
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
Primary Language | Fulfulde, Maasina |
Language Code | ffm Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
People Groups | Speaking Fulfulde, Maasina |
Primary Language: Fulfulde, Maasina
Bible Translation ▲ | Status (Years) |
---|---|
Bible-Portions | Yes (1934) |
Bible-New Testament | Yes (2005-2016) |
Bible-Complete | No |
Bible-NT Audio | Online |
Bible-NT Text | Online |
Possible Print Bibles | |
---|---|
Amazon | |
World Bibles | |
Forum Bible Agencies | |
National Bible Societies | |
World Bible Finder | |
Virtual Storehouse |
Resource Type ▲ | Resource Name |
---|---|
Audio Recordings | Audio Bible teaching (GRN) |
Audio Recordings | Online New Testament (FCBH) |
Film / Video | Jesus Film: view in Fulfulde, Maasina |
Text / Printed Matter | Bible: New Testament: Gospel of Jesus the Messiah |
Text / Printed Matter | Download scripture in this language |
Text / Printed Matter | Online Bible text (Scripture Earth) |
Primary Religion: | Islam |
Religion Subdivision: | Sunni |
Major Religion ▲ | Percent |
---|---|
Buddhism |
0.00 %
|
Christianity (Evangelical 0.15 %) |
0.20 %
|
Ethnic Religions |
0.00 %
|
Hinduism |
0.00 %
|
Islam |
99.80 %
|
Non-Religious |
0.00 %
|
Other / Small |
0.00 %
|
Unknown |
0.00 %
|
Christian Segments ▲ | Percent |
---|---|
Anglican |
0.0 %
|
Independent |
0.0 %
|
Orthodox |
0.0 %
|
Other Christian |
0.0 %
|
Protestant |
80.0 %
|
Roman Catholic |
20.0 %
|
Photo Source | Erik Laursen, New Covenant Missions |
Map Source | Bethany World Prayer Center |
Profile Source | Bethany World Prayer Center |
Data Sources | Data is compiled from various sources. Read more |