Introduction / History

One of the first Soninke settlements was established in Ghana around A.D. 750. Because of persecution by the Berbers, the Soninke dispersed into small groups within the neighboring regions. The three main sub-groups of the Soninke are the Marka, Nono, and Azer. Often, these tribes are further broken into smaller clans that specialize in various crafts. Some of these groups eventually intermixed with the local Wolof, Serer and Malinke tribes.

The Soninke live primarily along the Senegal River where it enters the western border of Mali in the Kayes, Yelimane, Nioro, and Nara regions. Other small tribes settled along the borders of Cote d'Ivoire coast and Burkina Faso. Due to influence by a large nomadic tribe known as the Fulani, the Soninke have become farmers and herdsmen.

Those who have adapted well to urban living have the chance to migrate to the United States or Canada. For this reason, there is a small population of Soninke and other West African peoples in Canada. The Soninke come from parts of Africa once controlled by France. They are most likely to live in Quebec where French is the language.

What Are Their Lives Like?

The number of African migrants to Canada increased in 2011. They have contributed much to Canadian culture, especially in music and the arts. Some have been elected to public office.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Most of the Soninke in Mali are Sunni Muslims. The remainder are a mixture of various animistic religions (believe that non-human objects have spirits). Those who live in Canada are likely to either become more traditional Muslims or become more secularized.

What Are Their Needs?

The Soninke people, be they in West Africa or Canada, need the opportunity to allow Jesus Christ to transform their lives. They have a much better chance of that happening in Canada if believers make a point of reaching out to them.

Prayer Points

Pray that God will give the small number of Soninke believers boldness to share Christ with their own people.
Ask the Lord to send forth more laborers to Canada to reach the Soninke people who live there.
Ask the Lord to raise up a Disciple Making Movement among the African diaspora in Canada that will extend to Africa itself.

Scripture Prayers for the Soninke in Canada.

References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Canadians
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/african-calgary-immigrants-community-alberta-1.6654125
https://generation1.ca/2023/07/13/nigerians-in-canada-tracing-our-roots-together/
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1033219934395340
https://www.savvynewcanadians.com/best-place-to-live-in-canada-for-nigerian-immigrants/