Introduction / History

The Anufo trace their roots to an area in present-day Cote d'Ivoire which they call Anou or Ano. Hence, they refer to themselves and their language as Anufo "people of Anu." It appears that migrations in the early 1700s brought together Mande horsemen and their malams from the North and Akan peoples from the East.
Together with the indigenous Ndenyi people, they were amalgamated into one people with a mixed language and culture. In the mid 1700s, a small band of mercenaries left Ano to assist the chiefs of the Gonja and Mamprusi peoples in present day Ghana. The band consisted of Mande horsemen, Akan musket-toting foot soldiers, and some Muslim scholar amulet-makers (Kirby 1986:34). These groups provided the basis for a society divided into three classes or estates: Nobles, commoners and Muslims.
Eventually, the small army established a camp on the shores of the Oti River where the town of Mango in Togo stands today. Since they were warriors and not farmers, they made their living by conducting raids into the farming communities around them. This provided them with wives and slaves as well as foodstuffs and livestock. (Holman 1990:9-12) Eventually the people settled in the surrounding farming communities, and assimilation took place.

What Are Their Lives Like?

The soil is poor, but the main occupation of the people is farming. Communal labor is still called for many tasks between men and women. Markets in the area follow a six-day cycle, and they provide social interaction as well as economic activity. People bring their local produce to sell to buy such things as soup ingredients (women) or bicycle parts (young men). It is a patrilineal society.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Most are Muslim. Fortunately, the church has seen some growth among the Anufo people, so there are believers among them. The good news is that in 2007, the Anufo New Testament became available in their language for the first time.

What Are Their Needs?

The Anufo people need better farming techniques and modern irrigation so they can enjoy a large yield of crops.

Prayer Points

Pray for the Lord to provide them with a huge harvest this year as a testimony of his mercy and love.
Pray for the Church to win, equip and send workers to the Anufo people in Benin.
Pray for them to have intense Bible studies where they learn to obey the Lord.
Pray for Anufo disciples who will make more disciples.
Pray for many Anufo people to go as missionaries to those who are spiritually lost without Christ.

Scripture Prayers for the Chokosi in Benin.