The Balanta are fishermen, herders, and cultivators. They grow millet, rice, peanuts, cashews, and fruit for a cash crop. They love to celebrate traditional holidays. The Balanta live on the west coast of Africa though they originated in India, Egypt, and Ethiopia.
In this society God is believed to be far away. They try to reach him through spirits and sacrifices. Although Catholicism has been partially accepted, Islam is strong and practiced along with spirit worship.
Pray for an indigenous church planting movement among the Balanta people.
Ask God to break the ties of traditional spirit worship.
Pray for God to use this very versatile people and make them see that believing on Jesus Christ is the only means of salvation.
Pray that medical and educational needs will be met.
Scripture Prayers for the Balanta, Kentohe in Guinea-Bissau.
Profile Source: West Africa Gateway |
People Name General | Balanta, Kentohe |
People Name in Country | Balanta, Kentohe |
Natural Name | Kentohe Balanta |
Alternate Names | Alante; Belanda; Belante; Brassa; Bulanda; Fora; South Balanta |
Population this Country | 429,000 |
Population all Countries | 494,000 |
Total Countries | 4 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Progress Scale | 4 ● |
Unreached | No |
Frontier People Group | No |
GSEC | 4 (per PeopleGroups.org) |
Pioneer Workers Needed | |
People ID | 16118 |
ROP3 Code | 111208 |
Country | Guinea-Bissau | ||
Region | Africa, West and Central | ||
Continent | Africa | ||
10/40 Window | Yes | ||
Persecution Rank | Not ranked | ||
Location in Country | Widespread. Central western area, between north and south country borders. Source: Ethnologue 2016 |
Country | Guinea-Bissau |
Region | Africa, West and Central |
Continent | Africa |
10/40 Window | Yes |
Persecution Rank | Not ranked |
Location in Country | Widespread. Central western area, between north and south country borders.. Source: Ethnologue 2016 |
Primary Religion: | Ethnic Religions |
Major Religion ▲ | Percent |
---|---|
Buddhism |
0.00 %
|
Christianity (Evangelical 2.37 %) |
5.00 %
|
Ethnic Religions |
56.00 %
|
Hinduism |
0.00 %
|
Islam |
39.00 %
|
Non-Religious |
0.00 %
|
Other / Small |
0.00 %
|
Unknown |
0.00 %
|
Primary Language | Balanta-Kentohe (429,000 speakers) |
Language Code | ble Ethnologue Listing |
Primary Dialect | Quentohe |
Dialect Code | 1677 Global Recordings Listing |
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
Primary Language | Balanta-Kentohe (429,000 speakers) |
Language Code | ble Ethnologue Listing |
Primary Dialect | Quentohe |
Dialect Code | 1677 Global Recordings Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
People Groups | Speaking Balanta-Kentohe |
Primary Language: Balanta-Kentohe
Bible Translation ▲ | Status (Years) |
---|---|
Bible-Portions | Yes (1980-2012) |
Bible-New Testament | Yes (2011-2022) |
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-Kentohe | Jesus Film Project |
General | Gospel resources links | Scripture Earth |
Photo Source | West Africa Gateway |
Profile Source | West Africa Gateway |
Data Sources | Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more. |