Introduction / History

Malinke people are also called Maninka, and you will see them referred to either way. They are closely related to a number of other groups in the area. Like most major people groups, the Maninka have subgroups that speak different dialects. Within Senegal there are those who speak Western Maninkakan. We call them the Western Maninka. Most Maninka can trace their roots back to the once great Mali Empire. This empire was created by several Maninka clans in the second millennium. It grew in power in the thirteenth century under the rule of Sundiata, the "lion king," who unified the kingdom and began to conquer surrounding peoples. In the fifteenth century, Portuguese explorers reached the coast and began trading in slaves and ivory.

Starting in the 19th century, France had extensive colonial holdings in much of West Africa. Those areas included places where the Western Maninka people lived. When France lost her colonies after WWII and they needed help rebuilding, Africans were often allowed to come to France. Western Maninka and other peoples came to France, and they live there to this day.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Many of the Western Maninka in France hold low-paying jobs and they live in places where others will not go. There is much segregation in France’s urban centers. Typically, sub-Saharan African peoples live together, so the Maninka groups have regular contact with people from other ethnic and linguistic backgrounds.

Other Africans have a good education and they have found high paying jobs in France, the United States and other Western nations.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Officially the Western Maninka people are Sunni Muslim. Like other Muslims in West Africa, their version of Islam is clouded by animistic practices. In France, they are having regular contact with Muslims who have more orthodox forms of Islam.

What Are Their Needs?

There are some believers among them. Prayer is the first step towards seeing a full movement to Christ among this Muslim people group.

Prayer Items

Pray for Western Maninka leaders in France to open the door to Christ's ambassadors.

Pray for the Lord to thrust out Holy Spirit anointed workers among the Western Maninka people in France.

Pray for a powerful disciple making movement among every Maninka community that has migrated to the West.

Scripture Prayers for the Maninka, Western in France.