Nalu in Guinea-Bissau

Introduction / History

The Nalu live along the coastal lagoons of southern Guinea-Bissau and in Guinea near Boke, Katchek Island.

What Are Their Lives Like?

They mainly grow rice in this marshy area that is flooded six months out of the year, when they can only get around is by canoe. The men fish and grow cola nuts; the women grow rice.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Historically, the Nalu people have believed in a single god, known as Kanu, assisted by male and female spirits. To some extent the people converted to Islam in the 1950s. The Nalu people blend their traditional religious practices with Islam. In the 2020s, there has been a resurgence of their earth-centric traditional religion. This is partially a reaction to the dominance of Islam and Christianity, both of which they feel were imposed on them by outsiders.

What Are Their Needs?

Christians need to care for the physical needs of the Nalu people, assisting them and build bridges of friendship. In doing so, they can earn the right to introduce them to the one who provides abundant life.

Prayer Points

Pray for Nalu elders to embrace the King of kings and forsake their traditional spirits.
Pray for the Lord to thrust out teachers to help the Nalu to become firmly established in the faith. Pray they will live upright lives, honoring Christ.
Pray Nalu believers will learn to live in the power of Christ's Spirit, demonstrating the fruit of the Spirit consistently.
Pray that each Nalu person will hear, in their other tongue, who Jesus is, and what he has done for them.
Pray for Nalu disciples, who will make more disciples who will make even more disciples.

Text Source:   Joshua Project