Introduction / History
About 20,000 Balanta live mainly in north Guinea-Bissau. They are related to other Balanta peoples and live side-by-side with them, but have been introduced to Islam by the Mandinkas. They have their own Balanta Mane language and do not speak the related Balanta Kentohe language. In the towns they would understand and speak Creole and maybe some Kentohe, but in the villages Balanta Mane is needed.

Where are they located?
They live in North Guinea-Bissau: Ingore, Bisabur, Barro, Bijene, South Senegal along the border with Guinea-Bissau.

What are their lives like?
They live a simple and poor lifestyle and raise cattle.

What are their beliefs?
The overwhelming majority practice folk Islam. In Bisabur, Barro and Bijene there are larger groups of Roman Catholics. In South Senegal there is a Balanta Mane church. A handful of mission agencies are working amongst them.

What are their needs?
They have no Scriptures or portions of scriptures in Balanta Mane.

Prayer Points
* Pray for those working amongst them to get a good grasp of the language and culture.
* Pray for God's spirit to be revealing the Truth to them through dreams and visions.
* Pray for anointed sharing of God's Word.
* Pray for the other Balanta believers to have a love, respect and readiness to share the Gospel with them