Southern Birifor in Ghana


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

The people name is Birifor and the language they speak is Birifor which is found in two dialects, the northern dialect, spoken in the Malba region, and the southern dialect, spoken in the Batie region. It is a Voltaic language related to the Dagara language with which it shares part of the vocabulary. The Birifor are found in the south west of Burkina Faso, and also in the north west of Ghana, in the Wa region. Their Birifor dialect again is different. It is believed that the Birifor in Burkina migrated from Ghana many years ago.


What Are Their Lives Like?

They live in extended families, in very large mud houses. At some point the sons with their wives and children move away from their father's house and start living on their own. They live off the land and sometimes have small cattle and chickens. Their economy is one of exchange; on the market that takes place every fifth day, they sell their surplus goods and buy what they need. Main products are local home-made goods and livestock. Some goods are still paid for with cowry shells. Malaria is common.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The main religion is Animism. Mission activity took place from 1961 onward and a Protestant evangelical denomination is now established in Burkina Faso as well as in Ghana. The language was analyzed and exists in writing. Literacy classes are organized every year in many villages. The New Testament is translated in the northern Birifor dialect (1993) and in the Ghanaian dialect.


What Are Their Needs?

Primary needs are economic. Harvests are not sufficient to feed the people all year round. Many other needs stem from this economic need.


Prayer Points

Strengthening of the leadership in the church
Discipling of new believers
Better crops and larger harvests
Good health care


Scripture Prayers for the Birifor, Southern in Ghana.


Profile Source:   Anonymous  

People Name General Birifor, Southern
People Name in Country Birifor, Southern
Natural Name Southern Birifor
Alternate Names Birfor; Birifo; Ghanaian Birifor; Loor; Northern Birifor; Southern Birifor
Population this Country 216,000
Population all Countries 225,000
Total Countries 2
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 4
Unreached No
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 4  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed
People ID 10869
ROP3 Code 101479
ROP25 Code 301252
ROP25 Name Birifor
Country Ghana
Region Africa, West and Central
Continent Africa
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Northern region; Upper West region: Wa West district. Northwest corner.   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Country Ghana
Region Africa, West and Central
Continent Africa
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Northern region; Upper West region: Wa West district. Northwest corner..   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Primary Religion: Ethnic Religions
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 9.00 %)
20.00 %
Ethnic Religions
79.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
1.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Birifor, Southern (216,000 speakers)
Language Code biv   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Birifor, Southern (216,000 speakers)
Language Code biv   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Birifor, Southern
Photo Source Anonymous 
Map Source Anonymous  
Profile Source Anonymous 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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