Nuna, Southern in Burkina Faso

People Name:	Nuna, Southern
Country:	Burkina Faso
10/40 Window:	Yes
Population:	235,000
World Population:	235,000
Primary Language:	Nuni, Southern
Primary Religion:	Ethnic Religions
Christian Adherents:	25.00 %
Evangelicals:	8.00 %
Scripture:	New Testament
Ministry Resources:	Yes
Jesus Film:	Yes
Audio Recordings:	Yes
People Cluster:	Gur
Affinity Bloc:	Sub-Saharan Peoples
Progress Level:

Introduction / History

The Southern Nuna are one of two major Nuna dialects in Burkina Faso. The traditional center of the region is the town of Leo, located approximately 10km from the Ghanaian border. By trade the Southern Nuna are subsistence farmers. They enjoy an annual rainfall that allows for a variety of crops, such as millet, maize, sorghum, peanuts and yams. They earn cash, cotton is grown. The Nuna also take advantage of the closeness to Ghana and Cote d 'Ivoire in the search for paying jobs.

Their belief in traditional religion is quite strong. In this world view, man attempts to appease the spirits and divinities through sacrifices. Nevertheless, both Islam and Roman Catholicism have gained many followers, as both tend to turn a blind eye to traditional practices becoming intermingled with their own. As for the Protestant churches, several are scattered throughout the Nuni region, although the number of adherents remains small.

A blessing for the Southern Nuna is the development of their language, Southern Nuni. Primers and reading materials have been produced, and literacy centers have had some success. Nevertheless, the lack of motivation to learn to read and write is somewhat discouraging. Pray that the Southern Nuna accept this innovation. The New Testament in Southern Nuni is now printed, and the translation of the Old Testament is about to begin. A second blessing for the southern region are programs to teach better hygiene and farming practices, run by an organization called CREDO.