The Jola are a friendly people who are very relaxed and known for their charm towards strangers. They have no caste system like some do in Mauritania. They have subgroups that speak different dialects. One of these dialects is Jola-Fonyi.
The Jola-Fonyi people live in southwestern Senegal in isolated, forested regions of the Casamance with smaller concentrations in the southern part of the Gambia and northern Guinea-Bissau.
Using basic tools they grow rice, millet, corn, mangoes, and peanuts. They also raise sheep, cattle and goats. Women gather kola nuts, berries and palm nuts. The women are responsible for gardening, rice, food preparation and care of the house and children. The men cultivate and produce the cash crops. They strongly depend on each other for their survival.
Family is central to the Jola culture. Polygamy is common. They prefer to marry cousins and ask for the bride price in the form of livestock. Young people are taken to "bush schools" when they reach puberty, at which time they are circumcised.
The great majority of the Jola claim to be Muslim, although African traditional practices are mixed with it. They have changed the traditional Islamic beliefs from the true meaning in order to fit pre-existing fears and beliefs. Their desire to follow Allah is out of fear, not love for him.
The Jola believe in both good and evil spirits. The good spirits protect houses from curses and other troubles while the evil ones demand sacrifices. Shrines are also very prevalent, with various meanings attached to each one. A small percentage are Christian.
Pray that the medical and nutritional needs of the Jola-Fonyi people will be met.
Pray that the Lord of the harvest will send out laborers to the Jola people.
Pray that the Jola-Fonyi people will hear and understand the word of God in their heart language.
Pray that respected leaders and elders of Jola-Fonyi villages their people to Christ.
Scripture Prayers for the Jola-Fonyi in Mauritania.
Scripture Prayers for the Jola-Fonyi in Mauritania.
Profile Source: Joshua Project |
Other PDF Profile |
People Name General | Jola-Fonyi |
People Name in Country | Jola-Fonyi |
Alternate Names | Diola; Dyola; Feleupe; Felupe; Fogny |
Population this Country | 5,000 |
Population all Countries | 509,000 |
Total Countries | 4 |
Indigenous | No |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
Unreached | Yes |
Frontier People Group | No |
GSEC | 1 (per PeopleGroups.org) |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 1 |
People ID | 11568 |
ROP3 Code | 102625 |
Country | Mauritania | ||
Region | Africa, West and Central | ||
Continent | Africa | ||
10/40 Window | Yes | ||
Persecution Rank | 20 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) |
Country | Mauritania |
Region | Africa, West and Central |
Continent | Africa |
10/40 Window | Yes |
Persecution Rank | 20 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) |
Primary Religion: | Islam |
Major Religion ▲ | Percent |
---|---|
Buddhism |
0.00 %
|
Christianity (Evangelical 0.50 %) |
5.00 %
|
Ethnic Religions |
18.00 %
|
Hinduism |
0.00 %
|
Islam |
73.00 %
|
Non-Religious |
4.00 %
|
Other / Small |
0.00 %
|
Unknown |
0.00 %
|
Primary Language | Jola-Fonyi (5,000 speakers) |
Language Code | dyo Ethnologue Listing |
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
Primary Language | Jola-Fonyi (5,000 speakers) |
Language Code | dyo Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
People Groups | Speaking Jola-Fonyi |
Primary Language: Jola-Fonyi
Bible Translation ▲ | Status (Years) |
---|---|
Bible-Portions | Yes (2000) |
Bible-New Testament | Yes (2011-2012) |
Bible-Complete | No |
Bible-NT Audio | Online |
Possible Print Bibles | |
---|---|
Amazon | |
World Bibles | |
Forum Bible Agencies | |
National Bible Societies | |
World Bible Finder | |
Virtual Storehouse |
Resource Type ▲ | Resource Name | Source |
---|---|---|
Audio Recordings | Audio Bible teaching | Global Recordings Network |
Film / Video | Jesus Film: view in Jola-Fonyi | Jesus Film Project |
Film / Video | LUMO film of Gospels | Bible Media Group/LUMO |
Film / Video | World Christian Videos | World Christian Videos |
General | Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text, audio, video | Faith Comes by Hearing |
General | Gospel resources links | Scripture Earth |
Mobile App | Download audio Bible app as APK file | Faith Comes by Hearing |
Mobile App | Download audio Bible app as APK file | Faith Comes by Hearing |
Text / Printed Matter | Literacy primer for Jola-Fonyi | Literacy & Evangelism International |
Photo Source | Link Up Africa |
Map Source | Bethany World Prayer Center |
Profile Source | Joshua Project |
Data Sources | Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more. |