The Bambara are among the most powerful, influential, and populous people groups in Mali. They speak Bamana, which is one of the Manding languages. Bamana is widely spoken in Mali, especially in the realm of business and commerce. It is related to the Bantu language, which includes Swahili and Zulu. They often speak French as well, which is very helpful for those who have moved to Canada.
During the 1700s, there were two Bambara kingdoms: Segu and Karta. In the 1800s, militant Muslim groups overthrew these kingdoms, leaving only a few anti-Muslim Bambara warlords to resist their occupation. This lasted 40 years, until the arrival of the French colonialists. A very small number of the Bambara had converted to Islam by 1912. After World War II, the number of Muslim converts grew due to their resistance to the French and their exposure to Muslim merchants. Today, the Bambara are mostly Muslim, and those who have migrated to North America are no exception.
Though the majority of the Bambaras live in West Africa, those with advanced education and needed skills are able to migrate to Canada and the United States.
Those who come to Canada use part of their earnings to build up their villages in West Africa.
On a social level, all African Muslim peoples in North America tend to come together for social and religious events. They worship at the same mosques and often attend the same festivals.
The Bambara people are Sunni Muslim, but they mix a liberal amount of pre-Islamic beliefs with Islam. There is also the pressure to become more secularized in Canada, especially for the younger generation.
Several mission agencies are currently focusing on the Bambara in Africa, and some progress has been made. Bambara people in Canada are living among other Africans. They need more workers to be thrust out to reach them for Christ in this secularized environment. Prayer is the key to tearing down the remaining strongholds that are keeping them from knowing the only savior.
Pray that God will raise prayer teams who will begin breaking up the spiritual soil of Bambara families through intercession.
Pray for the effectiveness of the JESUS Film among the Bambara people both in Africa and Canada.
Pray that the Holy Spirit will complete the work begun in the hearts of the Bambara believers through adequate discipleship.
Pray that God will give the Bambara believers boldness to share the love of Jesus with their own people.
Ask the Lord to raise up strong local churches among the West African Muslims in Canada.
Scripture Prayers for the Bambara in Canada.
https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/10617/ML
https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/10617/FR
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/11/world/africa/for-mali-villagers-france-is-a-workplace-and-lifeline.html?_r=0
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malians_in_France
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2015/11/20/what-mali-means-to-france/
http://www.ibtimes.com/mali-when-france-ruled-west-africa-1015854
Profile Source: Joshua Project |
People Name General | Bambara |
People Name in Country | Bambara |
Pronunciation |
BOM-buh-ruh
|
Alternate Names | Bamanakan; Kpeera; Noumou |
Population this Country | 3,600 |
Population all Countries | 7,210,000 |
Total Countries | 12 |
Indigenous | No |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
Unreached | Yes |
Frontier People Group | No |
GSEC | 1 (per PeopleGroups.org) |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 1 |
People ID | 10617 |
ROP3 Code | 100925 |
ROP25 Code | 300783 |
ROP25 Name | Bambara |
Country | Canada | ||
Region | America, North and Caribbean | ||
Continent | North America | ||
10/40 Window | No | ||
National Bible Society | Website | ||
Persecution Rank | Not ranked |
Country | Canada |
Region | America, North and Caribbean |
Continent | North America |
10/40 Window | No |
National Bible Society | Website |
Persecution Rank | Not ranked |
Primary Religion: | Islam |
Major Religion ▲ | Percent |
---|---|
Buddhism |
Unknown
|
Christianity (Evangelical 1.60 %) |
4.00 %
|
Ethnic Religions |
Unknown
|
Hinduism |
Unknown
|
Islam |
96.00 %
|
Non-Religious |
Unknown
|
Other / Small |
Unknown
|
Unknown |
Unknown
|
Primary Language | Bamanankan (3,600 speakers) |
Language Code | bam Ethnologue Listing |
Primary Dialect | Bambara |
Dialect Code | 10 Global Recordings Listing |
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
Primary Language | Bamanankan (3,600 speakers) |
Language Code | bam Ethnologue Listing |
Primary Dialect | Bambara |
Dialect Code | 10 Global Recordings Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
People Groups | Speaking Bamanankan |
Primary Language: Bamanankan
Bible Translation ▲ | Status (Years) |
---|---|
Bible-Portions | Yes (1923-1942) |
Bible-New Testament | Yes (1933) |
Bible-Complete | Yes (1961-1996) |
FCBH NT (www.bible.is) | Online |
Possible Print Bibles | |
---|---|
Amazon | |
World Bibles | |
Forum Bible Agencies | |
National Bible Societies | |
World Bible Finder | |
Virtual Storehouse |
Photo Source | Copyrighted © 2023 GoWestAfrica All rights reserved. Used with permission |
Map Source | People Group location: peoplegroups.info. Map geography: ESRI / GMI. Map design: Joshua Project. |
Profile Source | Joshua Project |
Data Sources | Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more. |