Introduction / History

The Syem, or Western Karaboro, are one of the many small groups inhabiting the southwestern corner of Burkina Faso. As far as culture is concerned, they are similar to the Kai, or Eastern Karaboro. They speak a different language, so they are a different people group.

What Are Their Lives Like?

The Western Karaboro live in a beautiful region. Their homeland is dotted with hills and small lakes. While the Kai are noted for their millet and maize farming, the Western Karaboro focus on growing rice. They are also involved in various crafts and money making trades. They produce palm wine, grow vegetables to sell at the local market, make pottery, weave baskets, and produce other crafts.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The Western Karaboro are almost entirely Muslim. Their occupation as merchants turns them towards this religion; non-Muslims have a hard time establishing themselves in the local markets. They also adhere to traditional religion. The gospel has had very little success in penetrating the Western Karaboro culture.

What Are Their Needs?

As far as development needs of the group, the Western Karaboro are better off than many peoples of Burkina Faso. There is a hospital within 10 miles of most of their villages, and at least five of eleven Western Karaboro villages have elementary schools. Middle and high schools are close to their villages. However, they still have needs for better health care and education.

Prayer Items

Pray that the Lord opens Western Karaboro hearts to his truth.
Pray for gospel materials in the Western Karaboro language.
A further complication is that the gospel will probably only be presented to them in the Jula language, which is a second language to them. Pray that the Western Karaboro will be stimulated to become literate in Jula, a larger language that has gospel materials. This will greatly help them in all basic education, learning about agriculture, health and biblical spiritual truths.

Scripture Prayers for the Karaboro, Western in Burkina Faso.