Jotoni in Mali
Photo Source:
Wild West Africa Connection
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Map Source:
People Group location: IMB. Map geography: ESRI / GMI. Map design: Joshua Project.
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| People Name: | Jotoni |
| Country: | Mali |
| 10/40 Window: | Yes |
| Population: | 22,000 |
| World Population: | 23,700 |
| Primary Language: | Jowulu |
| Primary Religion: | Islam |
| Christian Adherents: | 10.00 % |
| Evangelicals: | 2.00 % |
| Scripture: | New Testament |
| Online Audio NT: | Yes |
| Jesus Film: | No |
| Audio Recordings: | Yes |
| People Cluster: | Mande |
| Affinity Bloc: | Sub-Saharan Peoples |
| Progress Level: |
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Introduction / History
The Jotoni of Mali are a small tribe, speaking the Jowulu language, Bambara and French. Conditions in Mali are often harsh, with GNP of only $800 per person.
What Are Their Lives Like?
Every Jotoni village has a headman who acts as the authority to family lineages rather than as the authority to individual households. Jotoni society is patrilineal in structure. This means that the lines of descent are traced through the fathers. Private property is inherited by the eldest son, while household property is passed to the younger brother of the father. Married sons attach their households to the household of their father. When a girl marries, the girl's family does not require a "bride-price," as families in other West African tribes do. Instead, the groom gives premarital gifts to the girl's family. The gifts are usually animals such as chickens or goats. Like many other tribes in West Africa, the men sometimes practice polygamy, or the marrying of several wives.
What Are Their Beliefs?
The great majority of the Jotoni practice various ethnic religions with a thin veneer of Islam. The Jotoni believe that the "supreme god" of Islam is too distant to worship directly and that the only way to worship him is through a spirit. Consequently, they worship statues or other objects that they believe house the spirits. The spirits, in return, will supposedly give the worship to the supreme god on their behalf.
What Are Their Needs?
The land of the Jotoni is not hospitable to outsiders, conditions are often harsh. There are all kinds of physical needs for the Jotoni people. They need clean water and medical facilities.
Prayer Points
There may be no believers in Jesus among the Jotoni tribe at present but pray for those the Lord will soon lead to himself. Pray they will be completely humble and gentle toward one another. Pray the Jotoni tribe will be able to provide for their families, with clean water, sufficient food and shelter, and schools for their children.