Songhai, Humburi in Burkina Faso

People Name:	Songhai, Humburi
Country:	Burkina Faso
10/40 Window:	Yes
Population:	14,000
World Population:	47,000
Primary Language:	Songhay, Humburi Senni
Primary Religion:	Islam
Christian Adherents:	1.00 %
Evangelicals:	0.02 %
Scripture:	Translation Needed
Online Audio NT:	No
Jesus Film:	No
Audio Recordings:	Yes
People Cluster:	Songhai
Affinity Bloc:	Sub-Saharan Peoples
Progress Level:

Introduction / History

The Songhai are located in the northeastern region of Burkina Faso, near the border of Niger. Some Songhai live near to the desert, where there is little water and sparse vegetation. Sizable Songhai communities are in the nearby countries of Nigeria, Niger, and Mali. A small number also live in Benin and Burkina Faso.

The Songhai trace their origin to the eighth century kingdom of Za. Islam was embraced as early as 1010, but it was mixed with their original beliefs in spirits of the river, soil and wild game. The Za dynasty endured to the end of the sixteenth century, when it was conquered by the Sultan of Morocco.

The Songhai are a major West African group. They have subgroups, based on language and dialect. One of these is the Humburi Songhai.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Humburi Songhai settlements usually consist of round, mud or thatched dwellings with straw roofs. Today, an increasing number of villagers live in rectangular mud brick houses with corrugated tin roofs. Humburi Songhai settlements along the Niger River contain many rice fields and garden plots. Villages farther from the river are surrounded by bush areas and cultivated fields. Cowpeas, groundnuts, and manioc are the usual crops, but millet is grown from June to September during the brief rainy season. Farming is considered noble labor among the Songhai and is for men only. The women have gardens in which they grow mangoes, guavas, citrus fruits, papayas, dates, and bananas during the hot, dry season. They also cultivate carrots, tomatoes, peppers, cabbages and various types of squash. Most of the garden work is done by family members. In addition to farming, the Songhai also raise some livestock.

The village community is patrilineal; that is, all the men have a common male ancestor. Among Humburi Songhai nobles, firstborn sons are pressured to marry their paternal uncle's daughter in order to maintain the purity of the lineage. Men marry while they are in their late twenties, whereas girls marry while in their early teens. Whether the marriage lasts or not, all of the children belong to the husband's lineage group. Although Islamic law allows a man to have up to four wives, most of the Songhai men have only one, due to economic reasons. When there is more than one wife, each lives in her own separate dwelling within the extended family compound.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The Humburi Songhai are almost entirely Muslim. Even though Islam introduced new elements to the Songhai culture, it left the underlying framework of custom and tradition virtually untouched. Islam is superficially important, as evidenced in the fact that every town has a mosque, or at least a Friday mosque. Some communities have imams (religious leaders) who teach Islamic philosophy, and Muslim ceremonial activities are frequently practiced. Spirit possession, magic, sorcery, ancestor worship, and witchcraft, however, remain the vital components of Humburi Songhai belief. Most of the villages have possession troops, magician-healers, and witches. Ceremonies of spirit possession occur at least once a week in some places. The most important ceremonies are the genji bi hori (a festival in which the Songhai make offerings to the "black spirits" believed to control pestilence) and the yenaandi ("rain dance"). Both of these are held in the dry season. Marabouts (Islamic holy men) lead community prayers but are also used in healing the sick.

What Are Their Needs?

Generally, Humburi Songhai live simple but adequate lives, except in times of drought. Unfortunately, these occur regularly, leaving many children as orphans. Malnutrition is also a problem for many.

Burkina Faso is one of the countries most dominated by idolatry and secret societies in West Africa. Currently, there are very few Christian resources available in the Humburi Songhai language. A majority of these precious people have not heard a clear presentation of the gospel. Prayer is the key to seeing them reached for Christ.

Prayer Points

Ask the Lord to send Christian agricultural workers, educators and doctors to minister to the physical needs of the Humburi Songhai.
Pray that Christian radio broadcasts and evangelistic literature will be made available to the Humburi Songhai.
Ask the Lord to save key leaders among the Humburi Songhai who will boldly proclaim the gospel.
Pray that God will strengthen, encourage and protect Humburi Songhai believers.
Ask God to raise up intercessors who will faithfully stand in the gap for the Humburi Songhai.
Ask the Lord to bring forth vigorous Songhai Christian fellowships for the glory of his name.