Susu in Sierra Leone


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

Most of the Susu live in Guinea, West Africa. However, other smaller tribes are also located in the neighboring countries of Sierra Leone and Senegal. They moved to their present location after 1725, when the Fulani attempted to dominate them and managed to convert them to Islam. Today, the Susu live in the Kambia, Bombali, and Port Loko districts of Sierra Leone.

The Susu language, called Soso or Susu, serves as a major trade language in the region and is almost indistinguishable from the language of the Yalunka. This close linguistic relationship supports the theory that the Susu and the Yalunka were once members of the same tribe in the Fouta Djallon region of Guinea. They were separated by Fula invaders, who forced the Susu to travel southward, absorbing other peoples in the process. Today, young Susu boys seem to be disillusioned with both Islam and socialism. Many have moved to the urban areas where poverty and idleness are serious problems.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Susu are primarily farmers. Rice and grain are the two principal crops; however, pineapples, mangoes, and coconuts are also grown. The women make various kinds of palm oil from palm nuts, as well as peanut oil and soap. In addition to farming, fishing and salt production are important enterprises to the Susu economy. Salt is produced during the dry season, and it can take up to three months of intense work to produce anything substantial. The Susu are also well known for their trading, leather work, and metal work.

Susu houses are made of mud or cement blocks, depending on the resources available. The roofs of the urban homes are usually made of corrugated iron, while those in the more rural areas are still thatched. Houses are often built large enough to accommodate extended families. Although electricity is available in most places, cooking is still done over open fires. Unfortunately, clean, running water is not yet available for the Susu, but efforts are being made to dig wells throughout the region.

Although Western clothing is available in the markets, most of the Susu women prefer wearing their traditional African styles, which include long skirts that usually reach their ankles. Older men commonly wear loose fitting cotton robes, while the younger men prefer Western style clothes.

Relationships are very important in the Susu culture, yet there are many conflicts between neighbors. These disputes frequently involve disagreements over money or property. The extended family is also very important in their society. Polygyny (having multiple wives) is allowed under Muslim law but is only practiced by those who can afford it. Each village tends to have its own "wise man," as well as an elected or appointed leader whose task is to help resolve conflicts. The Friday meeting at the mosque (Muslim temple) remains an important social event.

Formal education for the Susu follows the French academic system and is offered only in the French language. In the past, the government tried educational programs in the local languages but were alarmed at the high rates of illiteracy in French that resulted. Consequently, these programs did not last.


They believe that ghosts, spirits and gods all inhabit the same land, and that witches have the power to change into animals and cause harm to their villages.
What Are Their Beliefs?

The Susu in Sierra Leone are almost entirely Muslim, and Islam dominates their religious culture and practices. Most of the standard Muslim religious festivals are observed. Their most important festival is the celebration at the end of Ramadan, which is a month long period of prayer and fasting.


What Are Their Needs?

Because of the history of Christianity throughout the region, the Susu have been somewhat evangelized. The New Testament is available in their language. However, there are only a handful of known Susu believers in this region. The power of Islam needs to be broken over their lives in order for the Gospel to spread. Prayer is the key to seeing them reached with the Good News.


Prayer Points

Ask the Holy Spirit to stir the hearts of the Susu youth and reveal to them that only Jesus can fill their lives with true peace.
Pray for God to create an openness to Christianity within the hearts of the Susu.
Pray that the Lord will raise up laborers who understand the Muslim culture and who can effectively take the Gospel to these precious people.
Ask God to create a clean water supply for the Susu and grant wisdom to those who are currently working on this project.
Pray that God will provide new contacts and strategies for the missions agencies that are trying to reach the Susu.
Pray for the Susu living in the urban areas to emerge from poverty.
Pray for the salvation of key Susu leaders who will boldly declare the Gospel.
Ask God to raise up strong local churches among the Susu.


Scripture Prayers for the Susu in Sierra Leone.


Profile Source:   Bethany World Prayer Center  

People Name General Susu
People Name in Country Susu
Pronunciation SOO-soo
Alternate Names Soso; Susa
Population this Country 210,000
Population all Countries 2,762,000
Total Countries 5
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 4
PeopleID3 15141
ROP3 Code 109634
Country Sierra Leone
Region Africa, West and Central
Continent Africa
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Northern province: interspersed throughout western sections.   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Country Sierra Leone
Region Africa, West and Central
Continent Africa
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Northern province: interspersed throughout western sections..   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Map of Susu in Sierra Leone Ethnolinguistic map or other map

Primary Religion: Islam
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.06 %)
0.06 %
Ethnic Religions
10.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
89.94 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Susu (210,000 speakers)
Language Code sus   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Susu (210,000 speakers)
Language Code sus   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Susu

Primary Language:  Susu

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1869-1963)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1884-2010)
Bible-Complete Yes  (2015-2018)
FCBH NT (www.bible.is) Online
YouVersion NT (www.bible.com) Online
Possible Print Bibles
Amazon
World Bibles
Forum Bible Agencies
National Bible Societies
World Bible Finder
Virtual Storehouse
Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Audio Recordings DAVAR Partners recording, complete Bible DAVAR Partners International
Film / Video God's Story video God's Story
Film / Video Indigitube.tv Video / Animation Create International
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Susu Jesus Film Project
Film / Video LUMO film of Gospels Bible Media Group/LUMO
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Scripture Earth Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Android Bible app: Susu YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Download audio Bible app as APK file Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App Download audio Bible app from Google Play Store Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Susu YouVersion Bibles
Text / Printed Matter Download scripture in this language eBible.org
Text / Printed Matter Literacy primer for Susu Literacy & Evangelism International
Photo Source (Representative photo)
Julien Harneis - Flickr  Creative Commons 
Map Source People Group location: IMB. Map geography: ESRI / GMI. Map design: Joshua Project.  
Profile Source Bethany World Prayer Center 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


Joshua Project logo    Terms of Use   Privacy Policy   Contact Us   Copyright © 2024