Tamasheq Tuareg in Burkina Faso

Tamasheq is the more polite term for the Tuareg, but the latter is so well-established that we will use that term instead. Tuareg are a subgroup of the larger Berber group. The Berbers are the original peoples of North Africa who have been there for hundreds or even thousands of years. As a Berber subgroup, the Tuaregs stand out because of linguistic differences. Tamasheq Tuareg marriages usually take place between couples within the same clan, or extended family unit. Tuaregs prefer marriages between cousins. A newlywed couple generally lives for about a year in the camp of the bride's parents. Then they will move over to the husband's camp. The typical age for marriage is between 20 and 25 for women and almost 30 for men. Monogamy (one husband, one wife) is the rule, and divorce is very unusual and generally frowned upon. Marriage always requires the payment of a bride price. The Tamasheq Tuaregs have their own poetry and proverbs. Christ followers can take them verses from the Bible such as the Book of Proverbs. This could be an excellent entry point for God’s word.

Ministry Obstacles

Living in a remote location and sometimes moving from place to place both make reaching the Tamasheq Tuaregs difficult.

Scripture Focus

"Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me."  Psalm 51:10

Scripture Prayer

Pray for leaders among this people group to have hearts that seek to be clean before the Lord, and that they will teach others His ways.

Prayer Focus

Pray that mission agencies and churches will accept the challenge of adopting and reaching out to the Tuareg until they have their own movement to Christ. Ask the Lord to send loving Christ followers from other parts of Africa to Burkina Faso to share the gospel with the Tuareg. Ask the Lord to save key leaders among the Tuareg who will boldly declare the gospel, influencing family leaders. Ask the Lord to raise up strong local churches and disciples that will plant other churches among the Tuareg.