Pana, Sama in Burkina Faso

Pana, Sama
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People Name: Pana, Sama
Country: Burkina Faso
10/40 Window: Yes
Population: 10,000
World Population: 18,600
Primary Language: Pana (Burkina Faso)
Primary Religion: Ethnic Religions
Christian Adherents: 4.00 %
Evangelicals: 0.40 %
Scripture: Translation Needed
Online Audio NT: No
Jesus Film: No
Audio Recordings: Yes
People Cluster: Gur
Affinity Bloc: Sub-Saharan Peoples
Progress Level:

Introduction / History

The Pana are a small ethnic group living in Burkina Faso and south-central Mali. The population inhabiting 13 villages is evenly divided between the two countries.

What Are Their Lives Like?

The Pana live by subsistence farming. The rains, which come between May and October, are generally adequate to allow for such crops as rice and maize, besides millet, the staple. Raising livestock, such as cattle and goats, is important to the Pana.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The Pana people adhere to ethnic religions which involve serving the spirit world either by fear or for gaining favors.

What Are Their Needs?

The area is not easily reached due to the poor quality of the roads. One effect of this relative isolation is fewer government services. Only three elementary schools, are found within the region. Receiving adequate health care also becomes more difficult with poor roads.

Prayer Points

Pray for better roads, hospitals and schools for the Pana people.
Pray for the Lord to thrust out Holy Spirit anointed workers to the Pana people.
Pray for spiritual hunger among these people so they can seek and find Christ.
Pray for the Lord to give them an abundant harvest this year as a testimony of his power and mercy.

Text Source:   Joshua Project