Introduction / History

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. Some also live in Mauritania.

What Are Their Lives Like?

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.

What Are Their Beliefs?

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 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.

What Are Their Needs?

The Jola-Fonyi people have unaddressed medical needs.

Prayer Points

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 Guinea-Bissau.