Biali in Benin


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

The Biali are commonly regarded as a sub-group of the Somba. They are concentrated in the Atakora Mountains in northwestern Benin and across the border in Togo, especially in the Sansanne-Mango region. They also reside in Burkina Faso. The Somba have been described as the "castle people" because of their unique two-storied houses. Although they are a highly individualistic people, they share many features and cultural traits with the Mande who were once predominant in the region.

Today, the Biali representing a tiny fraction of Benin’s total population. We know very little about the Biali people. Nevertheless, historical accounts claim they originated in Burkina Faso.

The name Burba was given to them by the French, but it seems they prefer to be known as the Bialaba or Biali. Their language, which they call Berba, is a member of the Niger-Congo family of languages.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Biali are farmers, growing millet, sorghum, and occasionally fonio (a sorghum-like grain) as the staple crops. Depending on the conditions, They also grow melons, onions, bananas, cucumbers, eggplant, rice, taro, yams, tobacco and tomatoes. Farming methods are very basic, with the hoe being the primary tool for cultivation. Crops are rotated and fields are sometimes left fallow.

Hunting, fishing, and gathering (especially of shea nuts) all occur in the area but provide only a modest supplement to the diet. Of considerably more importance is raising livestock. All the tribes keep at least some cattle, mainly of a hump-less, short-horned variety. Generally, cattle are used for sacrifices, marriage payments, and for hides and manure, but almost never for milk. Other domestic animals may also be kept, such as sheep, goats, dogs and chickens.

Trade seems to be highly developed and regular markets are widespread among all of the tribes in Benin. Women do most of the trading in the markets as well as the gathering. Hunting is done by the men, and fishing, by both sexes. The men also tend to the livestock, clear the land and perform the bulk of the agricultural work. The women, however, help in the fields when needed.

Most Biali live in neighborhoods of scattered family homesteads, with a few compact villages in different areas. Most of the tribes of the region live in round or rectangular mud or sun-dried brick huts with thatch roofs. The Biali, however, are unique in that their houses have two stories. It is not known how this particular style originated.

Few of the tribes in the region impose restrictions on premarital sex. Marriages are usually arranged by the heads of two extended families, often while the girl is still an infant. While the various Somba sub-groups do not require a bride-price, they do demand premarital bride-service. Polygyny (having more than one wife) is permitted and occurs frequently. Usually the first wife enjoys a superior status, but the other wives have their own separate quarters. The husband divides his time equally among all his wives.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Although some of the Biali are influenced by Islam, most still follow their traditional ethnic religion. They believe that there are many gods and that the stars contain supernatural forces. They have an extensive system of cults in which mystical power is explained and controlled. The Biali also believe that every person has an inner force that determines his own destiny. After death, this "soul" either goes to the sky to join the other mystical powers or is "reincarnated" (reborn in another form). In addition, the dead are thought to influence the living; thus, sacrifices are made to gain their favor.


What Are Their Needs?

Although missionaries have made considerable progress among this people group, many of the Biali have yet to hear a clear presentation of the gospel. Much prayer and further evangelism are needed to teach them the way to eternal life.


Prayer Points

Ask the Lord of the harvest to call full-time missionaries to minister to the Biali.
Ask the Lord to soften the hearts of the Biali towards the gospel.
Ask the Lord to save key leaders among the Biali who will boldly proclaim the good news.
Pray that God will give the Biali believers many opportunities to share Christ with their own people.
Ask God to raise prayer teams who will begin breaking up the soil through worship and intercession.
Ask the Lord to bring forth a strong Biali church for the glory of his name.


Scripture Prayers for the Biali in Benin.


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Biali
People Name in Country Biali
Alternate Names Berba; Bialaba; Bialiba; Bieri; Bieria; Burba; Epi
Population this Country 184,000
Population all Countries 194,000
Total Countries 4
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 2
Unreached No
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 4  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed
People ID 10836
ROP3 Code 101421
ROP25 Code 301187
ROP25 Name Berba (Biali)
Country Benin
Region Africa, West and Central
Continent Africa
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Atakora department: Materi, Tanguieta, and Cobly communes; Collines department: Ouessi commune; Donga department: small border area west of Oueme river.   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Country Benin
Region Africa, West and Central
Continent Africa
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Atakora department: Materi, Tanguieta, and Cobly communes; Collines department: Ouessi commune; Donga department: small border area west of Oueme river..   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Primary Religion: Ethnic Religions
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 1.00 %)
7.00 %
Ethnic Religions
93.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Biali (184,000 speakers)
Language Code beh   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Biali (184,000 speakers)
Language Code beh   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Biali
Photo Source Anonymous 
Map Source Bethany World Prayer Center  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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