Mamprusi in Ghana


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

The Mamprusi are part of the Na Gweba people originally from what is now Togo. Of the four people groups descended from Na Gweba, the Mamprusi are the leaders. They had their own kingdom starting in the 13th century, the oldest in West Africa. Royalty is still an important part of their culture.

Most Mamprusi live in their homeland, Mamprugu, an area of northeast Ghana between the Dagbani in the south and Frafra in the north. There are also small communities of Mamprusi in southern Ghanaian towns.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Mamprusi people try to eke out a living by growing yams, maize, millet, and sorghum. Farming is becoming more difficult because of environmental changes and a lack of rain. Sheep, goats, pigeons, and chickens are their main farm animals. Those with wealth have cattle and horses.

Men and women both do farm work. It's the women who trade grain and yams, cooked food, beets, kola nuts, smoked fish, and imported manufactured goods. Some men are engaged in trading full time instead of farming.

Traditionally, the Mamprusi people did not own land; they considered the land to belong to their ancestors. Today they are more flexible in this. The Mamprusi people sometimes sell homes and other property.

They believe it is best to marry a cross-cousin on the mother's side. Two-thirds of marriages are polygamous. Men prefer to have over one wife. The first wife has authority over the other wives, and she can assign all household chores. The Mamprusi people make divorce difficult for both husband and wife. 


Can you imagine not being able to read and write? Unfortunately, only 15% of the Mamprusi people of West Africa are literate.
What Are Their Beliefs?

They give children both Mamprusi and Muslim names. They identify as Muslims, but also practice the religion of their ancestors. Naa-wuni is the traditional supreme god, and people communicate with their ancestors through sacrifices and offerings.


What Are Their Needs?

The low literacy rate of the Mamprusi people is a major barrier to the gospel if it comes only in written form. Scripture is available in their language, and there are audio recordings of the New Testament. The JESUS Film and God's Story video are also available. There is a need for workers to take these resources to the Mamprusi people.


Prayer Points

Pray the Christian believers among the Mamprusi will regularly fellowship together, and that teachers and pastors will be sent to them, to teach and shepherd. Pray the literacy rate for these people will gradually rise in years ahead. Pray for good schools for the children, and for literacy classes for adults.


Scripture Prayers for the Mamprusi in Ghana.


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Mamprusi
People Name in Country Mamprusi
Pronunciation MAHM-proo-see
Alternate Names Mamprule; Manpelle
Population this Country 431,000
Population all Countries 450,000
Total Countries 2
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 9
PeopleID3 13471
ROP3 Code 106200
Country Ghana
Region Africa, West and Central
Continent Africa
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Northeast Northern region: east and west of Gambaga; Upper East region: scattered border areas north of the White Volta river, between Pwalagu and Zongoiri.   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 Northeast Northern region: east and west of Gambaga; Upper East region: scattered border areas north of the White Volta river, between Pwalagu and Zongoiri..   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Primary Religion: Ethnic Religions
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.20 %)
0.84 %
Ethnic Religions
80.16 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
15.00 %
Non-Religious
4.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Mampruli
Language Code maw   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Mampruli
Language Code maw   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Mampruli
Photo Source Wycliffe Global Alliance 
Map Source Bryan Nicholson / cartoMission  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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