Fon in France
Photo Source:
Brian Kelley - Flickr
Creative Commons
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| People Name: | Fon |
| Country: | France |
| 10/40 Window: | No |
| Population: | 19,000 |
| World Population: | 2,338,400 |
| Primary Language: | Fon |
| Primary Religion: | Christianity |
| Christian Adherents: | 70.00 % |
| Evangelicals: | 1.00 % |
| Scripture: | Complete Bible |
| Online Audio NT: | Yes |
| Jesus Film: | Yes |
| Audio Recordings: | Yes |
| People Cluster: | Guinean |
| Affinity Bloc: | Sub-Saharan Peoples |
| Progress Level: |
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Introduction / History
The Fon are a large people group. Their ancestors were with the 17th century Dahomey kingdom. Today the Fon are related to the Aja people, whom they broke away from during a dispute regarding the secession of a king.
In the 1700s the slave trade was prominent in the parts of West Africa where the Fon live. They were both victims and victimizers. Some Fon people were captured and enslaved while others did the same to other tribes.
Starting in the 1800s, France had extensive colonial holdings in much of West Africa. Those areas included places where the Fon people lived. When France lost her colonies after WWII and they needed help rebuilding, Africans were often allowed to come to France. Fon and other peoples came to France, and they live there to this day.
Most live in Benin, but they also live in Gabon, Ghana and Togo. Some have migrated to France or Canada.
What Are Their Lives Like?
Many of the Fon in France hold low-paying jobs and they live in places where others will not go. There is much segregation in France’s urban centers. Typically, sub-Saharan African peoples live together, so the Maninka groups have regular contact with people from other ethnic and linguistic backgrounds.
Other Africans have a good education and they have found high paying jobs in France, the United States and other Western nations.
What Are Their Beliefs?
Officially the Fon people are Christian. Like other Christians in West Africa, their version of Christianity is clouded by animistic practices.
What Are Their Needs?
There are some believers among them. Prayer is the first step towards seeing a full movement to Christ among this people group.
Prayer Points
Pray for Fon leaders to open the door to Christ's ambassadors.
Pray for the Lord to thrust out Holy Spirit anointed workers among the Fon people.
Pray for a powerful disciple making movement among every Fon community in Africa and the West.