The Jola are a friendly people who are very relaxed and known for being charming with strangers. The Jola reside in southwestern Senegal in isolated, forested regions of the Casamance with smaller concentrations in the southern part of the Gambia and northern Guinea-Bissau. They have a subgroup called the Fonyi, who speak their own dialect, Jola-Fonyi.
Mostly farmers, the Jola-Fonyi raise peanuts and rice. The women are responsible for gardening, rice, food preparation, care of the house and children. The men cultivate and produce the cash crops: peanuts, citrus fruits and mangoes. Family is central to the Jola culture, and all are treated equal while performing their roles in the village. They strongly depend on each other for their survival.
Young people are taken to "bush schools" when they reach puberty, at which time they are circumcised. They prefer to marry cousins and ask for the bride price in the form of livestock.
Folk or popular Islam is the predominant religion. The traditional Islamic beliefs have been changed from the true meaning to fit pre-existing fears and beliefs. They follow Allah out of fear, not love. The Jola believe in both good and evil spirits. The good spirits protect houses from curses and other troubles while the evil ones demand sacrifices. Shrines are also very prevalent with various meanings attached to each one.
Fonyi speakers are much more Christianized than the other Jola peoples. They need a spiritual revival that will drive them to share their faith with their Muslim neighbors.
Pray that the Jola-Fonyi people will hear and understand the word of God in their heart language.
Pray that respected leaders and elders of villages to give their lives to Christ.
Pray that their medical and nutritional needs will be met.
Pray that peace will reign in the Casamance region where many Jola-Fonyi reside.
Pray for the Lord to raise up many Jola-Fonyi people as ambassadors for Christ.
Scripture Prayers for the Jola-Fonyi in Gambia.
West Africa Gateway
Profile Source: Joshua Project |
People Name General | Jola-Fonyi |
People Name in Country | Jola-Fonyi |
Alternate Names | Diola; Dyola; Feleupe; Felupe; Fogny |
Population this Country | 142,000 |
Population all Countries | 509,000 |
Total Countries | 4 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Progress Scale | 4 ● |
Unreached | No |
Frontier People Group | No |
GSEC | 1 (per PeopleGroups.org) |
Pioneer Workers Needed | |
People ID | 11568 |
ROP3 Code | 102625 |
ROP25 Code | 303409 |
ROP25 Name | Jola-Fonyi |
Country | Gambia | ||
Region | Africa, West and Central | ||
Continent | Africa | ||
10/40 Window | Yes | ||
Persecution Rank | Not ranked | ||
Location in Country | West Coast division: southwest. Source: Ethnologue 2016 |
Country | Gambia |
Region | Africa, West and Central |
Continent | Africa |
10/40 Window | Yes |
Persecution Rank | Not ranked |
Location in Country | West Coast division: southwest.. Source: Ethnologue 2016 |
Primary Religion: | Islam |
Major Religion ▲ | Percent |
---|---|
Buddhism |
0.00 %
|
Christianity (Evangelical 4.00 %) |
7.00 %
|
Ethnic Religions |
6.00 %
|
Hinduism |
0.00 %
|
Islam |
78.00 %
|
Non-Religious |
0.00 %
|
Other / Small |
9.00 %
|
Unknown |
0.00 %
|
Primary Language | Jola-Fonyi (142,000 speakers) |
Language Code | dyo Ethnologue Listing |
Primary Dialect | Fogny |
Dialect Code | 1883 Global Recordings Listing |
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
Primary Language | Jola-Fonyi (142,000 speakers) |
Language Code | dyo Ethnologue Listing |
Primary Dialect | Fogny |
Dialect Code | 1883 Global Recordings Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
People Groups | Speaking Jola-Fonyi |
Primary Language: Jola-Fonyi
Bible Translation ▲ | Status (Years) |
---|---|
Bible-Portions | Yes (2000) |
Bible-New Testament | Yes (2011-2012) |
Bible-Complete | No |
FCBH NT (www.bible.is) | Online |
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 |
Film / Video | Jesus Film: view in Jola-Fonyi | Jesus Film Project |
Film / Video | LUMO film of Gospels | Bible Media Group/LUMO |
Film / Video | World Christian Videos | World Christian Videos |
General | Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video | Faith Comes by Hearing |
General | Scripture Earth Gospel resources links | Scripture Earth |
Mobile App | Download audio Bible app as APK file | Faith Comes by Hearing |
Mobile App | Download audio Bible app as APK file | Faith Comes by Hearing |
Text / Printed Matter | Literacy primer for Jola-Fonyi | Literacy & Evangelism International |
Photo Source | Link Up Africa |
Map Source | Anonymous |
Profile Source | Joshua Project |
Data Sources | Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more. |