Loko in Sierra Leone

The Loko have only been reported in Sierra Leone
Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

The Loko were among the slaves shipped to America while slavery still existed. Today, they are close neighbors of the Bande tribe. They speak a Niger-Congo language that is also called Loko. The Loko occupy a large section of Sierra Leone and a small area in Guinea below the Fouta Djallon region.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Loko live on a land of gently rolling coastal plains broken by rocky spurs of the Fouta Djallon highlands. Loko villages are grouped together at the bases of hills, in the open plains, or on the valley floors. Usually, a small group of compact huts makes up a village. These huts are round, with wooden walls and cone-shaped, thatched roofs. In this tropical region, the average temperature is about 82º F. , with 65 to 95 inches of rain falls annually. Baboons, hyenas, and antelope are common in the area, as are snakes and crocodiles.
Like most of the tribes in West Africa, the Loko are primarily farmers. Rice, the staple crop, is grown both in the swamps and on the hillsides. Other important crops include manioc, corn, potatoes, peppers, and bananas. In addition, house gardens supply other vegetables, fruits, and nuts for each family.
Oil palms flourish in this region of Sierra Leone. The trunks, branches, palms, nuts, and sap of these trees are all used and highly treasured. Soap, wax, wine, oil, and baskets are just some of the items produced from the palms.
The Loko are engaged in several crafts, such as basketry, cabinet making, and net making. In addition, they participate in many important ritual festivities and ceremonies throughout the year. Much dancing accompanies these events.
The Loko are divided into nine districts, with each being ruled by a chief. Each village in the district is ruled by a headman, who answers to the chief. The Loko are a family-oriented people, and a village is generally made up of a family lineage. The Loko are also said to be open-minded, cooperative, and open to outside influences.
Loko society is basically patrilineal, which means that they trace their lineage through the males. Polygyny (having more than one wife) is practiced by many of the men. Before a Loko man marries, he must first pay a bride-price to the girl's parents.


What Are Their Beliefs?

A small segment of the population is Christian, but most of the Loko are ethnic religionists. Many believe in witches who can be either male or female. These witches are believed to derive pleasure from causing accidents and spreading sickness among the tribe. As a result, many Loko fear witches and carry charms or medicines with them to ward off their evil acts.


What Are Their Needs?

There are serious efforts to reach the Loko people for Christ. The New Testament is available in their language. Leadership development and discipleship materials for new believers are essential in order to continue the growth of the Church among the Loko.


Prayer Points

Pray for the Lord to bless the Loko people physically and spiritually in such a way they will be drawn to Christ.
Pray for the Loko people, especially their headmen and chiefs, to have a hunger for the truth and righteousness that only Jesus Christ can provide.
Pray for efforts to take Christ to the Loko people will result in a Disciple Making Movement.


Scripture Prayers for the Loko, Landogo in Sierra Leone.


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Loko
People Name in Country Loko, Landogo
Natural Name Loko
Alternate Names Landogo
Population this Country 236,000
Population all Countries 236,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 4  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 5
PeopleID3 13090
ROP3 Code 105827
Country Sierra Leone
Region Africa, West and Central
Continent Africa
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Northern province: Bombali district; Koya, Ribbi, and Bumpe chiefdom areas; Sanda Loko chiefdom.   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Country Sierra Leone
Region Africa, West and Central
Continent Africa
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Northern province: Bombali district; Koya, Ribbi, and Bumpe chiefdom areas; Sanda Loko chiefdom..   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Primary Religion: Ethnic Religions
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.90 %)
5.00 %
Ethnic Religions
57.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
38.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Loko
Language Code lok   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Loko
Language Code lok   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Loko

Primary Language:  Loko

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1983)
Bible-Complete No
FCBH NT (www.bible.is) Online
Possible Print Bibles
Amazon
World Bibles
Forum Bible Agencies
National Bible Societies
World Bible Finder
Virtual Storehouse
Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Film / Video God's Story video God's Story
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Loko Jesus Film Project
Film / Video LUMO film of Gospels Bible Media Group/LUMO
Film / Video Walking with Jesus video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Scripture Earth Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
Photo Source Copyrighted © 2024  Kerry Olson  All rights reserved.  Used with permission
Map Source Bethany World Prayer Center  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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