Introduction / History

The Fon are a large West African people group. Their ancestors were with the 17th century Dahomey Kingdom. The Fon are closely related to the Aja people, whom they broke away from during a dispute regarding a king.

In the 1700s the slave trade was prominent in the parts of West Africa where the Fon live. They were both victims and victimizers. Some Fon people were captured and enslaved while others did the same to neighboring tribes.

Starting in the mid 1800s, France had extensive colonial holdings in much of West Africa. Those areas included places where the Fon people lived. When France lost her colonies after WWII and they needed help rebuilding, Africans were often allowed to come to France. Fon and other peoples came to France, and they live there to this day. However, most live in Benin, but they also live in Gabon, Ghana and Togo.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Like the ethnic groups around them, the Fon people grow okra, yams, maize, taro, millet, sesame, sorghum and cotton. Owning cattle is a sign of wealth. They have markets to sell their goods once or twice a week. Women are more active than men in market activities. They also sell bush meat and crafts on market days. The Fon people are known for their wooden statues which are often used for ancestral worship.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Officially the Fon people are Christian. Like other Christians in West Africa, their version of Christianity is clouded by animistic practices.

What Are Their Needs?

Like other Christianized peoples in West Africa, the Fon need to center their spiritual lives around Jesus Christ and him crucified. They need to put all their faith in the one who has victory over death and sin.

Prayer Points

Pray for the Fon people to put all their faith in Jesus Christ instead of ancestral spirits.

Pray for the Lord to give them an abundant harvest this year, and for them to respond with gratitude to the Lord.

Pray for a powerful disciple making movement among every Fon community in Africa.

Scripture Prayers for the Fon in Benin.

References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fon_people
https://www.101lasttribes.com/tribes/fon.html
https://www.gateway-africa.com/tribe/fon_tribe.html