Ganja Balanta in Guinea-Bissau


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

Balanta means those who resist. Ganja is one of the Balanta dialects. They came to live in Southern Senegal in the 1800s, though some now live in Guinea-Bissau.


Where Are they Located?

People who speak the Ganja Balanta language live either in Guinea-Bissau or Senegal.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Balanta have a council of elders who make big decisions. A person has to take part in an initiation ceremony to become an elder. The Balanta play a type of lute called a Kusunde. They are usually fishermen, farmers or cattle herders. They grow crops such as rice and nuts with cashews being their main crop.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Balanta people, be they in Senegal or Guinea-Bissau, have their own ethnic religion. This involves worshipping and appeasing spirits and spiritual forces that are at war with the Lord. They believe God is far away. Some are marginally Muslim.


What Are Their Needs?

Like most people in this part of the world, Balanta speakers in Guinea-Bissau need running potable water and electricity.


Prayer Points

Pray that Balanta council of elders will come to Jesus Christ and lead others to Him.
Pray that God will give them dreams and visions leading them to salvation.
Pray for believers to go to them with the JESUS Film and tools for discipling them in the ways of Christ.


Scripture Prayers for the Balanta, Ganja in Guinea-Bissau.


References

https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/20067/PU
https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/11819/SG
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uo9BeBcSNWg
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balanta_language


Profile Source:   Keith Carey  

People Name General Balanta, Ganja
People Name in Country Balanta, Ganja
Natural Name Ganja Balanta
Pronunciation GAHN-jah bah-LAHN-tah
Alternate Names Alante; Balanta; Bandal; Belanda; Ganjawo; Kandawo
Population this Country 2,100
Population all Countries 135,000
Total Countries 2
Indigenous No
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
People ID 11819
ROP3 Code 103209
ROP25 Code 300757
ROP25 Name Balanta

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Primary Religion: Ethnic Religions
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 1.00 %)
5.00 %
Ethnic Religions
82.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
13.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Balanta-Ganja (2,100 speakers)
Language Code bjt   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Balanta-Ganja (2,100 speakers)
Language Code bjt   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Balanta-Ganja

Primary Language:  Balanta-Ganja

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (2019)
Bible-New Testament No
Bible-Complete No
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 Balanta-Ganja Jesus Film Project
General Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
Photo Source Anonymous 
Profile Source Keith Carey 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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