Ligbi in Côte d'Ivoire


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

The Ligbi (AKA, Banda) are a subgroup of the larger Mande people. The Ligbi people speak the Ligbi language. The Ligbi live in northwestern Ghana and northeastern Cote d'Ivoire. Specifically they live in Numasa, northwest Brong-Ahafo; east of Sampa and northwest of Wenchi. In Cote d'Ivoire they live in the Eastern Department, Bineto village; Bouna community; Slil town near Boundoukou; Ourodougou near Malinke [loi] territory.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The main source of income for the Ligbi Banda in Cote d'Ivoire comes from farming. Sorghum and manioc (a shrubby plant with a thick, starchy root) are their main crops. They also grow potatoes, peanuts, bananas, corn, peas, rice, and melons. The Ligbi do not raise many cattle because of the tsetse flies. However, they do keep goats, dogs, chickens, and some sheep. Hunting is also important because the meat provides most of the protein in their diet. Very little fishing is done because of the dangerous insects swarming around the rivers. The men generally clear the land, while the women do most of the planting and harvesting. The older men hunt and the younger men perform the required "bride service." This entails tending to their in-laws' farms. Polygyny (having multiple wives) is common among the Ligbi. Wives live in their own private huts, to which the husband rotates. There is a "chief wife" who has authority over all the others. A Ligbi village is arranged in a circle around a central court. Each neighborhood has from three to ten huts. A typical house is round with low walls of beaten dirt and a thatch roof that is supported by a central post. Each community has a headman, or a clan chief who lives in the central court of the village. He handles the affairs of the people by acting as judge. The Ligbi people have many enemies in the world of nature; their homeland is awash with mosquitoes, tsetse flies, and blackflies that carry diseases like malaria, yellow fever, sleeping sickness, and river blindness. They also live in an area where there is wild game to hunt. Though they are mainly a farming people, but the Ligbi are noted for their artwork which is desired by people in other parts of the world.


What Are Their Beliefs?

They belong to any of five Muslim sects. This Ligbi people in Cote d'Ivoire are officially Muslim though they believe that the spirit world can harm them in many ways. The non-Muslim Ligbi practice ethnic religions such as ancestor worship (praying to deceased ancestors for help or guidance). When a person dies, the family sets up a special shrine in his honor. Every important step in a man's life is recorded at his shrine. The ancestral spirits are worshipped at the shrines, usually by the men. They believe these to be "guardian spirits" over the family's children. The Ligbi also believe in bush spirits or fairies. They believe the fairies are small creatures with large heads covered with rough hair. They are rarely seen and act as humans would act. The fairies are said to take revenge on people who offend them, by either making them insane or killing them. The Ligbi wear magical charms and make medicines to protect themselves from curses or diseases. When a woman has twins, they view this as a punishment or a curse on the family. Parents of twins must be purified. The Ligbi believe that anyone who defies the magical charm or purifying medicine will be cursed.


What Are Their Needs?

The Ligbi people in Cote d'Ivoire need help in eliminating dangerous pests in their area that cause debilitating diseases. Believers with the right skills can go to their homeland and help them with these problems that lead to serious health issues. They also need to put their faith in Jesus Christ, who is the only firm foundation.


Prayer Points

Pray for the Lord to bless the Ligbi people in Cote d'Ivoire with an abundant harvest as a demonstration of his power and goodness. Pray for the Lord to thrust out workers to the Ligbi people. Pray for the Ligbi people to have a desire for truth and righteousness only found in Christ. Pray for a Disciple Making Movement among the Ligbi people in Cote d'Ivoire.


Scripture Prayers for the Ligbi in Côte d'Ivoire.


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Ligbi
People Name in Country Ligbi
Alternate Names Banda; Jogo; Ligwi; Nigbi; Nigwi; Nwela; Tuba; Vwela; Weela; Wela
Population this Country 8,700
Population all Countries 35,000
Total Countries 2
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 4
Unreached No
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 5  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed
People ID 10637
ROP3 Code 100952
ROP25 Code 304709
ROP25 Name Ligbi
Country Côte d'Ivoire
Region Africa, West and Central
Continent Africa
10/40 Window No
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Eastern Department, Bineto village; Bouna community; Slil town near Boundoukou; Ourodougou near Malinke [loi] territory   Source:  Ethnologue 2010
Country Côte d'Ivoire
Region Africa, West and Central
Continent Africa
10/40 Window No
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Eastern Department, Bineto village; Bouna community; Slil town near Boundoukou; Ourodougou near Malinke [loi] territory.   Source:  Ethnologue 2010

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Ethnolinguistic map or other map

Primary Religion: Islam
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 2.67 %)
3.00 %
Ethnic Religions
37.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
60.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Ligbi (8,700 speakers)
Language Code lig   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Unknown
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Ligbi (8,700 speakers)
Language Code lig   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Ligbi

Primary Language:  Ligbi

Bible Translation Status:  Translation Started

Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Film / Video God's Story video God's Story
Photo Source Erik Laursen, New Covenant Missions 
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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