The Eastern Maninka are the second largest people group in Guinea. They are the descendants of the Mande of the once-great Mali Empire. The empire amassed a fortune taxing the trade of gold and ivory in the region. Before becoming a part of the empire, the Mande were credited with revolutionizing agriculture in the area. They discovered the use of millet, one of the most important grains in the West African diet today.
The Eastern Maninka live in large, walled-in villages. Within the villages, families live in separate, fenced-in compounds. Their homes are round, thatch-roof huts made of mud and sun-dried brick. Few of the homes have electricity or running water. The Maninka primarily work as farmers, miners, or merchants. Cattle are also raised, but only to gain prestige within the community or to use in ceremonies.
While each village is ruled by its own chief, the oldest descendants of the first Maninka settlers are considered nobility and also hold a certain amount of authority. There is a clear social hierarchy among the Maninka, ranging from nobility to commoners. The lowest and most despised class consists of craftsmen and former slaves. Maninka society is patriarchal, or male-dominated. The line of descent is traced through the fathers, and inheritances are passed down through the males. Men commonly have more than one wife.
Some of the Maninka prefer living in cities where they can develop a trade or work in a service occupation. Nevertheless, while living in the cities, they usually remain attached to their villages in some way.
A typical Eastern Maninka meal consists of steamed rice covered with a spicy stew of vegetables and meat or fish. Mangoes, bananas, oranges, papayas, and cashews add balance to their diet.
The Maninkas value such characteristics as honesty, logical thinking, and the ability to speak in public. They do not approve of dishonesty. Ironically, however, many Maninkas use manipulation and deceit as methods of getting ahead in society. For this reason, they are a very suspicious people. Men rarely have close personal relationships with each other because they expect even their closest friends to be cunning and deceitful.
The Eastern Maninkas have adapted the doctrines of Islam to their own beliefs, resulting in a wide variety of sects. Islam was first introduced in West Africa by Muslim merchants. Since Islamic leaders did not require the Maninkas to abandon their old customs and mystical beliefs, Islam was mixed with their traditional religions. Divination, healing, and the casting of spells are all essential parts of their religion. In fact, Maninka Islam approves and even encourages certain magical procedures-particularly those directed towards healing the sick, preventing misfortunes, and ensuring prosperity.
Sadly, fear plays a big role in the spiritual lives of the Maninka peoples. Often someone will first pray in the village mosque and then sacrifice a chicken to the spirit of the land on which his village rests. Practically every villager has at least one or two charms in his possession.
Almost no Eastern Maninka have taken the step to follow Christ, partly because they think doing so will alienate them from their families and friends.
Ask the Lord of the harvest to send forth laborers to the Eastern Maninka.
Ask the Holy Spirit to grant wisdom and favor to mission agencies focusing on the Maninka.
Ask the Lord to bring forth a strong and growing Maninka church.
Pray for the effectiveness of the JESUS Film among the Maninka.
Pray for the few believers among the Eastern Maninka to take their role as Christ s ambassadors seriously.
Scripture Prayers for the Maninka, Eastern in Guinea.
https://www.bing.com/videos/riverview/relatedvideo?q=Eastern+Maninka&mid=5BE9FD9792C7DBDD3A1E5BE9FD9792C7DBDD3A1E&FORM=VIRE
| Profile Source: Joshua Project |
