Introduction / History

During the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries as many as a third of the Mandinka population were shipped to the Americas as slaves. A significant portion of the African Americans in the United States are descended from the Mandinka people.

Today the Mandinka people live in most of the countries of West Africa including Benin.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Mandinka villages are fairly autonomous and self-ruled, being led by a chief and group of elders. Mandinkas live in an oral society. Learning is traditionally done through stories, songs and proverbs. Western education's impact has been minimal. However, more than half the adult population can read the local Arabic script.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The majority of the Mandinka were still animists at the beginning of the 18th century, but today most practice Islam mixed with traditional beliefs.

What Are Their Needs?

Workers should remember that the Mandinka are an oral society and oral means of communicating will be most effective. The full Bible and many other gospel resources are available in the language of the Mandinka. Workers need to take these to the Mandinka people.

Prayer Items

Pray the few followers of Christ among the Mandinka will hate what is evil and cling to what is good.
Pray they will be sent teachers to instruct them, especially using oral methods.
Pray for an improved literacy rate, and for parents to see the importance of providing an education for their children.

Scripture Prayers for the Mandinka in Benin.