West Central Banda in South Sudan


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

The Banda are the largest group in the Central African Republic (CAR) but they also live in the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan and Cameroon. They are divided by subgroups determined by dialect. They have at least 11 subgroups in the CAR, although that number might not be precise. Among these are the West Central Banda.

Traditionally they didn t have a chief until one was needed for military purposes, much like Israel before the advent of kings. They were adversely affected by the slave trade as early as the 1100s when Muslim traders took them by force. Killings and enslavements during that era left them depopulated or moved to other parts of Africa. The 1800s saw European colonialists who also enslaved them and used them as cheap labor.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Today, the West Central Banda are usually fishermen and farmers who grow cotton, cassava, melons, millet, okra and yams. They are also hunters and gathers who collect timber and honey for sale.

They are well known for their artistic talents. They produce carved goods from wood and drums from animal skins.

As a patrilineal culture, the Bandas give inheritance to the sons of the same father. Marriages involve a dowry, usually metal goods.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The West Central Banda are well-Christianized, and their allegiance is to Catholic or Protestant churches. They maintain animistic beliefs as well, making sacrifices to ancestral spirits that they believe can destroy or help one in times of need, such as harvest time. Some use magic and charms.


What Are Their Needs?

West Central Banda people need to put all their faith in Jesus Christ. They can be used by God to take Christ to those without a gospel witness.


Prayer Points

Pray for a record-high harvest for the West Central Banda as a testimony of God s power and goodness.
Pray for the Holy Spirit to thrust out West Central Banda evangelists and disciplers to draw others to the Throne of Grace.
Pray for a spiritual revival in Banda churches that will give them the peace and joy of the Holy Spirit.
Pray for the Banda people to put all their faith in Jesus Christ and share their faith with others.


Scripture Prayers for the Banda, West Central in South Sudan.


References

https://www.101lasttribes.com/tribes/banda.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banda_people
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Banda-people


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Banda, West Central
People Name in Country Banda, West Central
Natural Name West Central Banda
Alternate Names Dakpa; Eli-Elat; Golo; West Central Banda
Population this Country 5,600
Population all Countries 13,000
Total Countries 2
Indigenous No
Progress Scale 4
Unreached No
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed
PeopleID3 10638
ROP3 Code 100954
Country South Sudan
Region Africa, East and Southern
Continent Africa
10/40 Window No
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Western Bahr el Ghazal Stat, Raga country, between Wau and Mboro.   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Country South Sudan
Region Africa, East and Southern
Continent Africa
10/40 Window No
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Western Bahr el Ghazal Stat, Raga country, between Wau and Mboro..   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Primary Religion: Ethnic Religions
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 3.00 %)
18.00 %
Ethnic Religions
82.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Banda, West Central (5,600 speakers)
Language Code bbp   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Unknown
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Banda, West Central (5,600 speakers)
Language Code bbp   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Banda, West Central

Primary Language:  Banda, West Central

Bible Translation Status:  Translation Needed

Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Map Source Joshua Project / Global Mapping International  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.