Baga Sitemu, Tchitem in Guinea

The Baga Sitemu, Tchitem have only been reported in Guinea
Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

The Bagas are composed of 7 groups, which speak different dialects: Baga Sitemou (or Sitemu), Baga Mandori, Baga Kaloum, Baga Koba, Baga Fore, Baga de Monchon, Baga Mboteni.

They fled Islam when the people of the Mali Empire brought it, and they also rejected Islam very early when the Fulbe brought it.

They live by rice farming and fishing. They live in rather obvious societal groups. They are open to strangers. They respect the traditions as well as the Muslim and Catholic religions. The women do their work separate from the men, except in a few villages. The women prepare all the food while the men sit down after their day's work. The food is served in three different bowls, one for the men, one for the women, and one for the children. The men share their common bowl, and the women also share a common bowl. After eating, the women gather their leftovers and those of their husbands for the children. At night the women have their meeting to consult the spirits in behalf of the village. They want to learn whether the spirits who are watching or entering the village are evil. If a spirit is present, it will cause a woman to fall to the ground in a trance. Frequently the women look for spirits who will protect their whole village.

Under the light of the moon, with the light filtering through the palms, the bride-to-be is carried in a hammock from her parents' house. Four men carry her above their heads, as she makes a tour of the village. Dancing to her husband's house, the villagers put her down at her new home.


Where Are they Located?

The Bagas are found along the Atlantic coast in northern Guinea


What Are Their Beliefs?

Islam and Catholicism are both mixed with their traditions. Bagas also believe in spirits and in marabouts, Muslim holy men who can make charms to ward off evil spirits. When they have a problem, they first consult the geni and the jinn (spirits), which demand a blood sacrifice. This blood sacrifice is usually a white or red chicken, or a sheep. If no rain comes, they also consult the geni, and each family contributes money in order to buy a cow, which they will kill and give to the wise men. These men will eat this meat alone under the permission of invisible genis in the forest, under a large tree. Usually the requests stir the spirits, but their response is not long-lived. So it is often necessary to renew the sacrifice. One of the largest idols of the region is Nimba, a Baga idol of fertility. Usually painted black, this idol stands on four legs, with the head of a ferocious animal, and large human-like breasts. This figure has been used often to represent Guinea, and one can find them pictured on the money of the country.


Prayer Points

Scripture Prayers for the Baga Sitemu, Tchitem in Guinea.


Profile Source:   Etnopedia  Copyrighted ©   Used with permission  

People Name General Baga Sitemu
People Name in Country Baga Sitemu, Tchitem
Alternate Names Baga; Baga Sitemou; Tchitem
Population this Country 46,000
Population all Countries 46,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 2
Unreached No
Frontier People Group No
Pioneer Workers Needed
PeopleID3 10558
ROP3 Code 100739
Country Guinea
Region Africa, West and Central
Continent Africa
10/40 Window Yes
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Boké region: Port-Kamsar subprefecture, Nunez river south bank; Boffa prefecture, Tougnifil subprefecture.   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Country Guinea
Region Africa, West and Central
Continent Africa
10/40 Window Yes
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Boké region: Port-Kamsar subprefecture, Nunez river south bank; Boffa prefecture, Tougnifil subprefecture..   Source:  Ethnologue 2016

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Ethnolinguistic map or other map

Primary Religion: Islam
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 1.07 %)
7.00 %
Ethnic Religions
18.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
75.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Baga Sitemu
Language Code bsp   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 2
Secondary Languages
Susu
Primary Language Baga Sitemu
Language Code bsp   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 2
Secondary Languages
  Susu
People Groups Speaking Baga Sitemu

Primary Language:  Baga Sitemu

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (2013-2015)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (2022)
Bible-Complete No
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Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Scripture Earth Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Android Bible app: Baga Sitemu YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Baga Sitemu YouVersion Bibles
Text / Printed Matter Download scripture in this language eBible.org
Photo Source Copyrighted © 2024  GoWestAfrica  All rights reserved.  Used with permission
Profile Source Etnopedia  Copyrighted ©  Used with permission 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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