Kolsi, Ko in Burkina Faso

The Kolsi, Ko have only been reported in Burkina Faso
Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

The Kolsi live primarily in the Mouhoun province of central Burkina Faso. They are part of the Gur cluster of peoples, and their language, Ko, is a part of the Niger-Congo family.

Very little is known about the Kolsi in particular; thus, some assumptions have been made about their lifestyle based on groups living near them. They are thought to be similar in language and culture to the neighboring Sissala.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Burkina Faso consists of an extensive plateau slightly inclining towards the south and home to approximately 80 distinct ethnic groups. The Kolsi represent only a tiny fraction of the population. They practice subsistence farming primarily growing millet, yams, peanuts, rice and beans. Women tend household gardens, growing okra, onions, tomatoes and red peppers. They raise cattle, sheep, goats, pigs and chickens. The Kolsi also gather nuts and wild fruits, fish and hunt.

The Kolsi feel that being poor reflects on the entire kinship group as well as on the individual. Therefore, the whole household shares work duties. The elder men supervise and control the production and consumption of crops, while the younger men do the heavy farm work, such as clearing the land and tilling. Men also produce medicines and do wood carving and blacksmithing. Women may help with planting, weeding and carrying crops back home. Women prepare the food, care for the household and children, gather items from the bush and make pottery.

Kolsi villages, composed of compounds, are compact and range in size from 200 to 3,000 people. Compounds are households that include an extended family or jaw. The janwuo averages about fifty people and is divided into family households. Extended families that are related paternally live close to one another, separated only by a narrow passageway. This compact organization provides for common defense and for protection against wild animals and witches.

The Kolsi rejoice over the birth of children which ensures the continuity of the extended family. A girl is considered a woman when she gives birth to her first child. Additional children further cement the bond between husband and wife and increase the woman's status. An infant is always near its mother and is coddled and shown affection by other family members, including the father. Babies are very much loved and indulged since they can do no evil. Girls remain with their mothers until they are married. Boys, however, live with a senior male member of the janwuo from the age of six.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Although some of the Kolsi have become Muslim, about three-quarters are ethnic religionists, still following their traditional religion. They believe that their own moral behavior and rituals are necessary to maintain the order of the universe. They believe that the universe cannot exist without humans.


What Are Their Needs?

The Kolsi need gospel resources in their own language. Kolsi believers need further evangelism and discipleship to firmly establish the Church among them.


Prayer Points

Ask the Lord of the harvest to send additional workers to join the few already working among the Kolsi.
Pray for the Kolsi elders and family leaders to lead their people into a vibrant relationship with the only Savior.
Pray for the Kolsi people to take up their position as ambassadors for Christ.


Scripture Prayers for the Kolsi, Ko in Burkina Faso.


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Kolsi, Ko
People Name in Country Kolsi, Ko
Alternate Names Ko; Kols; Kolsi; Winye
Population this Country 41,000
Population all Countries 41,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 4
Unreached No
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 4  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed
PeopleID3 12756
ROP3 Code 105137
Country Burkina Faso
Region Africa, West and Central
Continent Africa
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 20  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country Boucle du Muhoun region: Bale province, Boromo subdistrict, Boromo area, halfway between Bobo-Dioulosso and Ouagadougou, 17 to 18 villages; Centre-Ouest region: Sanguie province.   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Country Burkina Faso
Region Africa, West and Central
Continent Africa
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 20  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country Boucle du Muhoun region: Bale province, Boromo subdistrict, Boromo area, halfway between Bobo-Dioulosso and Ouagadougou, 17 to 18 villages; Centre-Ouest region: Sanguie province..   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Primary Religion: Ethnic Religions
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 4.50 %)
8.00 %
Ethnic Religions
72.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
20.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Winye (41,000 speakers)
Language Code kst   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Winye (41,000 speakers)
Language Code kst   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Winye

Primary Language:  Winye

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1994-2010)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (2023)
Bible-Complete No
FCBH NT (www.bible.is) 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 God's Story video God's Story
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Winye Jesus Film Project
Film / Video My Last Day video, anime Jesus Film Project
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Scripture Earth Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
Mobile App Android Bible app: Winye (22 livres du NT) ANTBA Burkina Faso
Mobile App Android Dictionary app: Winye Dictionary General / Other
Map Source Bethany World Prayer Center  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.