Ganja Balanta in Senegal


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

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.


What Are Their Lives Like?

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.


What Are Their Beliefs?

They follow Islam and animism. They believe Allah is far away, so they need help from local spirits.


What Are Their Needs?

Like most rural peoples of West Africa, the Balanta need a steady supply of drinkable water. They also need adequate medical care.


Prayer Points

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
Map of Balanta, Ganja in Senegal
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.



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