Red Bobo, Bwa in Mali
Photo Source:
Angeline A. van Achterberg - Wikimedia
Creative Commons
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Map Source:
People Group location: IMB. Map geography: ESRI / GMI. Map design: Joshua Project.
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| People Name: | Red Bobo, Bwa |
| Country: | Mali |
| 10/40 Window: | Yes |
| Population: | 352,000 |
| World Population: | 496,000 |
| Primary Language: | Bomu |
| Primary Religion: | Islam |
| Christian Adherents: | 5.00 % |
| Evangelicals: | 0.00 % |
| Scripture: | Complete Bible |
| Ministry Resources: | Yes |
| Jesus Film: | Yes |
| Audio Recordings: | Yes |
| People Cluster: | Gur |
| Affinity Bloc: | Sub-Saharan Peoples |
| Progress Level: |
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Introduction / History
The Jula word Bobo-Oule means Red Bobo and differentiates it from the Black Bobo. They call themselves Bwa or Bwaba. They speak Bwamu which is a Voltaic language. In their history they show no record of earlier peoples in the land where they live.
The Bamana of Segou occupied much of the land in Mali in the 1700s. This weakened the Red Bobo. When the power of the Bamana lessened, the Fulani came into the Red Bobo country destroying things and making slaves of the people. When the French came in 1897, they used the Fulani to help them conquer the region. Many Red Bobo came against the French but the fight against them came to nothing as the French defeated them in six months and the Red Bobo had to rebuild.
The Red Bobo live in Mali and Burkina Faso. Some of the main towns of the Red Bobo are Boni, Bagassi, Dossi and Hounde.
What Are Their Lives Like?
The Red Bobo live in villages that do not have central political authority. They do not like outside control. Ccouncil of male elders make their decisions. The Bwa are very receptive to changes that they find helpful for their own needs. They want to remain faithful to their ancestors. The Red Bobo are now paid individually for their crops and cooperative work in the fields has come to an end causing problems for them.
They are mainly farmers, cotton being the main crop they sell. They also have crops such as rice, millet, peanuts and yam.
What Are Their Beliefs?
The god they believe in is called Wuro (or Difini or Dobweni). The Red Bobo especially in the north worship Dwo who they believe is a go between with man and nature. The religious leader of every village is the oldest man of the village named the Labie.
The Red Bobo use masks. The Red Bobo in the south in particular use masks to do with the Nuna religion which they decided to be followers of late.
Prayer Points
Pray for a spiritual hunger among Red Bobo family leaders that will drive them to embrace Christ no matter what.
Pray for Red Bobo leaders to have dreams and visions of the Christ.
Pray for Red Bobo disciples who will make more disciples.