Bolon in Burkina Faso

People Name:	Bolon
Country:	Burkina Faso
10/40 Window:	Yes
Population:	38,000
World Population:	52,000
Primary Language:	Bolon
Primary Religion:	Islam
Christian Adherents:	3.00 %
Evangelicals:	1.45 %
Scripture:	Translation Needed
Ministry Resources:	No
Jesus Film:	No
Audio Recordings:	Yes
People Cluster:	Manding
Affinity Bloc:	Sub-Saharan Peoples
Progress Level:

Introduction / History

The Bolon people of Burkina Faso belong to the greater Malinke people group cluster. The Bolon live in western Burkina Faso in a land of savannah, small forests, and wet season marshes.

What Are Their Lives Like?

The Bolon people spend their lives farming and managing small herds of cattle, goats and sheep. Daily food includes millet, corn, sesame, and ground-nuts. They grow tobacco as a cash crop. Villagers use wood and charcoal for fuel and live in mud houses built around a central courtyard.

Extended families live close together, and the male head of the family has almost unlimited power over the other members. They organize each village in a strict hierarchy according to sections, families and age classes. Each clan interprets customs differently, and thus dances and other ceremonies vary from one village to another.

The people are known for their complex masks, which are respected and feared by neighboring groups. The Bolon coexist with neighbors out of necessity, but prohibit intermarriage with the Senoufo, and will not tolerate Senoufo living in Bolon areas. The Bolon have kept their heritage and character despite years of outside contact.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Most of them are of the Sunni Muslim tradition, though they often also practice spiritism and ancestor worship. Some believe the supreme god is too far away to hear their worship, so they worship things they think contain spirits. They believe the spirits pass the worship on to the supreme god.

What Are Their Needs?

Like most people in this region, the Bolon people need more schools and medical clinics.

Prayer Points

Pray for the Lord to give the Bolon people an abundant crop this year as a testimony of his power and love.
Pray for Holy Spirit sent workers to the Bolon people.
Pray for Bolon elders to embrace the gospel and allow it to penetrate their society.
Pray for Bolon disciples to make other disciples who will make even more disciples.