The Balanta Ganja though mainly in Guinea Bissau are also in Senegal. Balanta means those who resist. They came to live in Southern Senegal in the 1800s. The Balanta speak in Balanta and Kriol.
The Balanta play a type of lute called a Kusunde. Fishing, cultivating and herding cattle is the work they do. They grow crops such as rice and nuts with cashew nuts being their specialty.
The Balanta have a council of elders who make big decisions. A person has to take part in an initiation ceremony to become an elder.
They follow Islam and animism. They believe Allah is far away, so they need help from local spirits.
Like most rural peoples of West Africa, the Balanta need a steady supply of drinkable water. They also need adequate medical care.
Pray that the council of elders come to Jesus Christ and disciple others in his ways.
Pray that God will give Balanta elders dreams and visions leading them to salvation.
Pray for the Lord to give the Balanta people an abundant harvest as proof of his power and goodness.
Scripture Prayers for the Balanta, Ganja in Senegal.
Profile Source: Joshua Project |
People Name General | Balanta, Ganja |
People Name in Country | Balanta, Ganja |
Natural Name | Ganja Balanta |
Pronunciation |
GAHN-jah bah-LAHN-tah
|
Alternate Names | Alante; Balanta; Bandal; Belanda; Ganjawo; Kandawo |
Population this Country | 133,000 |
Population all Countries | 135,000 |
Total Countries | 2 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
Unreached | Yes |
Frontier People Group | No |
GSEC | 1 (per PeopleGroups.org) |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 3 |
People ID | 11819 |
ROP3 Code | 103209 |
ROP25 Code | 300757 |
ROP25 Name | Balanta |
Country | Senegal | ||
Region | Africa, West and Central | ||
Continent | Africa | ||
10/40 Window | Yes | ||
Persecution Rank | Not ranked | ||
Location in Country | Sedhiou region: south of Casamance river, between Goudomp and Tanaff, and south. Source: Ethnologue 2016 |
Country | Senegal |
Region | Africa, West and Central |
Continent | Africa |
10/40 Window | Yes |
Persecution Rank | Not ranked |
Location in Country | Sedhiou region: south of Casamance river, between Goudomp and Tanaff, and south.. Source: Ethnologue 2016 |
Primary Religion: | Ethnic Religions |
Major Religion ▲ | Percent |
---|---|
Buddhism |
0.00 %
|
Christianity (Evangelical 0.60 %) |
5.00 %
|
Ethnic Religions |
84.00 %
|
Hinduism |
0.00 %
|
Islam |
11.00 %
|
Non-Religious |
0.00 %
|
Other / Small |
0.00 %
|
Unknown |
0.00 %
|
Primary Language | Balanta-Ganja (133,000 speakers) |
Language Code | bjt Ethnologue Listing |
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
Primary Language | Balanta-Ganja (133,000 speakers) |
Language Code | bjt Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
People Groups | Speaking Balanta-Ganja |
Primary Language: Balanta-Ganja
Bible Translation ▲ | Status (Years) |
---|---|
Bible-Portions | Yes (2019) |
Bible-New Testament | No |
Bible-Complete | No |
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 |
Film / Video | Jesus Film: view in Balanta-Ganja | Jesus Film Project |
General | Gospel resources links | Scripture Earth |
Photo Source | Anonymous |
Map Source | People Group location: IMB. Map geography: ESRI / GMI. Map design: Joshua Project. |
Profile Source | Joshua Project |
Data Sources | Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more. |