The Waama live mostly in the Atakora province of Benin; however, another smaller group live across the border in northern Togo in the Sansanne-Mango region. They live in the same vicinity as the Gangam and Gourmanchema and speak Waama, a Niger-Congo language. We don’t have specific details about the Waama; however, we know they are closely related to the neighboring Natemba. These two groups share similarities in both language and culture.
Togo's coastal zone has tall grasses and low trees, while the Waama area in the north has dry, dusty plains alternating with well-watered grasslands. The expansion of a game reserve in this region of Togo provides for the hunting of many animals.
Like many other tribes in Togo, the Waama are subsistence farmers. They grow corn, yams, cassava, pineapples, bananas and peanuts for personal use and coffee, cocoa and cotton for export. Agricultural methods are generally quite basic. Hunting, fishing, and the gathering of nuts and wild fruits provide additional food.
All tribes in the area keep some cattle, but they are generally not eaten. Instead, they are raised for their hides and manure but rarely for milk. They are also used in sacrifices and as marriage payments. They have other domestic animals such as sheep, goats, dogs, and chickens. Waama men engage in hunting, clearing the land, and tending the livestock. The women gather forest produce and handle domestic duties such as cooking and caring for the children. Both sexes help in farm work and fishing.
Trade seems to be highly developed, and regular markets are practically universal among the tribes in Togo. Women do most of the local market trading, while the men travel greater distances to larger, regional markets. Among the items traded are salt, onions, smoked or dried meat, rice, oil and nuts.
Most Waama live in compact villages. They are grouped in circular walled compounds that usually house an extended family. Individual huts are round, having walls of mud or sun-dried brick and cone-shaped thatched roofs. Each local community has a ritual headman, who obtains his position by being the eldest male of the lineage that first occupied the village land. He is responsible for maintaining good relations with the earth and ensuring the welfare of his people. He stops feuding and warfare since the spilling of blood on the earth is believed to contaminate it.
Waama marriages are arranged by the heads of two extended families while the girl is still an infant. There is no bride price; instead, there is a bride service required by her family. Usually, the man must work on the girl's father's land from the time of the betrothal until the wedding and sometime thereafter. When the bride begins living with the groom, the groom will donate gifts to the girl's family. A man can have multiple wives, but each wife has her own hut where she raises her children. The first wife usually enjoys status as the chief wife.
Most Waama in Togo continue to follow their traditional ethnic beliefs and practices. They worship many gods and call upon ancestral spirits in times of trouble. During times of sickness, poor harvest, or other disasters, they consult soothsayers and diviners. Shrines for the ancestral spirits are located in family compounds. It is there that an appointed elder makes sacrifices for the family.
The majority of the Waama have not had an opportunity to hear the gospel in a culturally appropriate way.
Ask the Lord to call workers who will invest their lives to make disciples of the Waama people in Togo and Benin.
Ask the Lord to save key leaders among the Waama who will disciple others.
Pray for spiritual discernment and a desire for truth among the Waama people in Togo.
Scripture Prayers for the Waama, Yoabu in Togo.
https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/16045/BN
| Profile Source: Joshua Project |
