Tiefo in Burkina Faso

People Name:	Tiefo
Country:	Burkina Faso
10/40 Window:	Yes
Population:	31,000
World Population:	31,000
Primary Language:	Tiefo
Primary Religion:	Ethnic Religions
Christian Adherents:	6.00 %
Evangelicals:	4.50 %
Scripture:	Translation Started
Ministry Resources:	No
Jesus Film:	No
Audio Recordings:	Yes
People Cluster:	Gur
Affinity Bloc:	Sub-Saharan Peoples
Progress Level:

Introduction / History

The various Senufo groups live in the Middle Volta region of West Africa, which includes parts of Côte d'Ivoire, Mali, and Burkina Faso. They are divided into three groups: Northern, Central, and Southern, according to the three distinct language divisions. The Northern Senufo are a cultural mixture of immigrants from around Odienne and Fourou, who intermarried with groups in the Kenedougou region. Among the numerous Senufo tribes speaking over thirty dialects, Tiefo is both the name of a tribe and their language.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Most Tiefo are subsistence farmers. They cultivate dry rice, yams, peanuts, and millet in the grasslands that are prevalent in their region. One of the most important ways for a male to gain prestige is to become a “sambali,” which is a "champion cultivator." A “sambali” is respected throughout his lifetime and upholds the honor of his community before the entire village and surrounding district.

One important aspect of Tiefo society is its concept of "community." The Senufo think of themselves as one group, with all of their ideas pointing in the same direction. The concept of individuality is known only in limited circumstances; therefore, no man stands alone. Instead, each person is considered part of an extended family, a member of the village, or an elder or a younger sibling within the community. Everyone in a family eats as a group and dips into a common dish. The community collectively works the fields, stores food together, and each family contributes to the village. Tiefo individuals are always aware of their place in society as it relates to others in the group. To the Tiefo, the good of the community always comes before the good of the individual. Unless the entire tribe makes a change, such as converting to a different religion, no one does.

Today, young Tiefo men have opportunities to move to the cities and earn money. This has weakened the influence that Senufo fathers formerly had over their sons. The importance of the communal nature of their society has also declined. Unfortunately, the weakening of these two areas has allowed Islam to spread into the cracks of this rapidly changing society.

What Are Their Beliefs?

About one-fourth of the Senufo are Muslim, although that figure is steadily increasing. The remainder continue to practice their traditional African religions. They believe in various gods and ancestral spirits and practice witchcraft, magic and cults as part of their daily routines.

What Are Their Needs?

Although most of the Senufo groups are the focus of one or more mission agencies, the Tiefo have few Christians among them.

Prayer Points

Ask the Lord to give the Tiefo believers the courage to share the gospel and disciple others.
Pray for the Christians there to fear God and have zeal for his name so they can be salt and light to their people and walk the way Jesus did.
Pray that the Holy Spirit will soften the hearts of Tiefo elders towards the gospel.