Soninke in Mali


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

The Soninke people were the founders and rulers of the Ghana Empire. When the empire ended, the Soninke were scattered across West Africa including what is now Mali.
The Soninke now live in compact villages along the Senegal River where it enters the western border of Mali.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Due to the influence by a large nomadic tribe known as the Fulani, the Soninke have become farmers and herdsmen. They raise sorghum, rice, peanuts, and their staple crop, millet. They also raise large numbers of goats, sheep, horses, chickens, and cattle. They do very little fishing and hunting, and trade is extremely important. The Soninke trade in the local markets. They also travel to markets in other regions to trade their goods.
The Soninke have one of the highest rates of labor migration in West Africa. Much of the male population is absent from the home from two to four years doing migrant work.
With the women, old men and children left behind, a form of matriarchal (female-dominated) society has evolved. Most Soninke live in compact villages surrounded by their farm and grazing lands. Houses line both sides of the main street, and a mosque is typically located at the village square.
Soninke marriages require the payment of a bride-price. In contrast to most neighboring tribes, the bride-price is given to the bride rather than her parents and becomes part of her dowry. The Soninke forbid pre-marital sexual relations. They accept polygamy (having more than one wife), with each man being limited to four wives by Islamic law.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Soninke are Sunni Muslims heavily influenced by folk religion, a belief in natural spirits. The Soninke try to obey the teachings of the Koran and the prophet Mohammad. Sunnis believe that by following the Five Pillars of Islam that they will attain heaven when they die. However, Allah, the supreme God of the universe, determines who enters paradise.


What Are Their Needs?

Soninke parents encourage their sons to pursue a secondary education while the daughters receive at best a primary education. Therefore, they need more educational opportunities, especially Soninke girls.


Prayer Points

Pray that the believers who will soon come from the Soninke will be established in the faith and share the love of Isa or Jesus with their family and friends.
Pray that the Lord sends team of medical and agricultural experts to the Soninke in Mali to tell them about Jesus and help with their practical needs.
Pray that the Lord raises up movement of Soninke disciples who will disciple others in the ways of Christ.
Ask God to make it possible for the gospel to be broadcast via radio in the Soninke homeland in their language.


Scripture Prayers for the Soninke in Mali.


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

The Waiting World - The Soninke

Source:  The Waiting World      Download

People Name General Soninke
People Name in Country Soninke
Pronunciation suh-NING-kay
Alternate Names Azer; Sarakole; Sarawulé; Serahuli; Serer; Toubakai
Population this Country 1,996,000
Population all Countries 3,107,000
Total Countries 10
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 40
People ID 14996
ROP3 Code 109413
ROP25 Code 307660
ROP25 Name Soninke
Country Mali
Region Africa, West and Central
Continent Africa
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 14  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country Kayes region: Kayes, Nioro, and Yélimané circles; Koulikoro region: Banamba, Kolokani, Koulikoro, and Nara circles; Ségou region: Baraouéli and Ségou circles. 6 principal towns, 163 villages.   Source:  Ethnologue 2018
Country Mali
Region Africa, West and Central
Continent Africa
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 14  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country Kayes region: Kayes, Nioro, and Yélimané circles; Koulikoro region: Banamba, Kolokani, Koulikoro, and Nara circles; Ségou region: Baraouéli and Ségou circles. 6 principal towns, 163 villages..   Source:  Ethnologue 2018
Map of Soninke in Mali
Primary Religion: Islam
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.01 %
Ethnic Religions
5.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
94.99 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Soninke
Language Code snk   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Soninke
Language Code snk   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Soninke

Primary Language:  Soninke

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (2001-2018)
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
Audio Recordings Oral Bible stories One Story
Audio Recordings Oral Bible stories Story Runners
Film / Video Indigitube.tv Video / Animation Create International
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Soninke Jesus Film Project
Film / Video My Last Day video, anime Jesus Film Project
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
General Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
Photo Source Link Up Africa 
Map Source People Group location: IMB. Map geography: ESRI / GMI. Map design: Joshua Project.  
Video Source The Waiting World
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



Joshua Project logo    Joshua Project    Copyright © 2024