Mandyak, Manjaco in Guinea-Bissau

Mandyak, Manjaco
Photo Source:  Anonymous 
Map Source:  People Group location: IMB. Map geography: ESRI / GMI. Map design: Joshua Project.
People Name: Mandyak, Manjaco
Country: Guinea-Bissau
10/40 Window: Yes
Population: 260,000
World Population: 499,000
Primary Language: Mandjak
Primary Religion: Ethnic Religions
Christian Adherents: 3.00 %
Evangelicals: 0.84 %
Scripture: New Testament
Online Audio NT: Yes
Jesus Film: Yes
Audio Recordings: Yes
People Cluster: Atlantic
Affinity Bloc: Sub-Saharan Peoples
Progress Level:

Introduction / History

The Mandya, Manjaco in Guinea-Bissau are best known as the Manjack people. Their name means, "I tell you."

Where Are they Located?

The Manjaco people mainly live in northwestern Guinea-Bissau, though others live in southern Senegal or The Gambia. Some have migrated to France, a country that once held their homeland as a colony.

What Are Their Lives Like?

They are a rural people who make their living by subsistence farming like most people in their part of West Africa.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The Mandya, Manjaco people hold to traditional religion that centers around the spirits of their ancestors. They believe these ancestral spirits are selfish and vindictive, yet they have power to bring good or bad fortune. During their many rituals Manjacos have been known to demand that the ancestral spirits do them favors in return for the gifts and offerings they bring. They sometimes refer to these spirits as "workers" and the Manjacos are the "employers" who will only pay them with offerings if the spirits produce blessings.

The Manjaco people believe that funerals are essential to ensure that these spirits treat them well. Manjacos who move to cities will return to their rural homelands to participate in funeral rituals.

What Are Their Needs?

The JESUS Film is available in the Manjaco language. Someone needs to go throughout the Manjaco homeland and show them this film about the life of Jesus Christ. Then they will have the chance to chose the Lord of lords or their capricious ancestral spirits.

Prayer Points

Pray for a team of people to show the JESUS Film in Manjaco villages.
Pray for the Manjaco people to put their faith in Jesus Christ rather than fallen, wicked spirits.
Pray for a disciple-making movement among the Manjaco people.

Text Source:   Global Prayer Digest