Introduction / History

The Vige are a relatively small group of people who speak the Viemo language. They live to the southeast of Bobo Dioulasso along the road to Diebougou in southwestern Burkina Faso. The climate in the region is pleasant and conducive to agriculture due to the long rainy season. The Vige's main source of income is their agricultural products. They predominantly grow cotton, vegetables, and millet, and also produce corn, rice, fruit and peanuts.

Ceremonies such as funerals and weddings are important parts of the Vige life. These gatherings provide opportunities to strengthen community ties. The traditional Vige funeral is associated with animistic religion and contains elements of spirit and ancestor worship. A linguistic survey done among the Vige revealed a high level of bilingualism with Jula, the trade language of the region. Most Vige speak Jula almost fluently. Thus, it is uncertain whether a Bible translation in Viemo is needed. Still, the Vige have not responded well to the Jula Gospel, and this may be because they view Jula language and religion as foreign. More survey is necessary to determine the best way to reach the Vige with the Word of God.