The Farefare Gur live in south central Burkina Faso and across the border in Ghana, just west of the Red Volta River. This land is a grassland and covered with bush and sparse vegetation. Their home is a flat land with the occasional range of hills and patches of sand. In the shade, the average temperature is 85°F. During the dry season, crops do not grow well because of the hot climate.
The origin of the Farefare Gur is not clear; however, some believe that they came from near Navrongo in Ghana. In school, children learn the Farefare Gur language. The people use Hausa as a secondary and trade language since the Hausa exerts much influence over the peoples of the region.
In the past, the Farefare Gur decorated themselves with tattoos, tribal markings, and jewelry, and some continue these practices today. Women may pierce their upper and lower lips and insert a bone, and some pierce their ears, insert ear straws, and wear brass anklets.
The Farefare Gur are mostly farmers who grow crops like millet, guinea corn, beans and rice. During the rainy season, both men and women supplement the crops by fishing in the streams and rivers. Younger women gather shea nuts for their oil and collect other items from the forest. The older women cut elephant grass and use it to make mats and baskets. Other crafts include making rope, crafting bows and arrows, working with leather, and producing pottery.
Nearly every village includes a small market where people sell items like matches, soap, salt, livestock, fish, fruit, and bows and arrows. In the larger markets, merchants come from outside the area and bring bread, sugar, medicines and second-hand clothing.
Today, the Farefare Gur people rarely arrange marriages for their children. A man can choose whom he would like to marry, and the girl has the right to refuse. If they agree to marry, the man must pay the girl’s family four cows, two goats, a red rooster and a guinea fowl as a bride price. Some men have more than one wife and usually marry their second wife by age 35.
Farefare Gur huts are usually circular with mud walls. Sometimes, people use locust bean pods and cow manure to waterproof their homes. Geometric designs often decorate the walls, and the dirt floors are beaten smooth and hard. A number of huts together form a compound in which an extended family lives. The people build their huts in a circle surrounded by a wall, and the family keeps their cattle in the center of the huts.
The health and educational facilities of the Farefare Gur rank better than average for the area. In the larger villages, people can attend primary and middle schools. Older students can attend vocational schools and a nursing college nearby.
Although a portion of the Farefare Gur are Muslim, most follow their traditional ethnic religion. They believe in a number of gods and a chief god who reigns above the others. Shrines are located throughout the villages and in houses. People make sacrific
Although some have had an opportunity to hear the gospel, much more work remains to be done. Christians can especially help by praying for the Gurenne to receive salvation through Jesus Christ.
Pray that God will use Farefare Gur believers to share Christ with their own people.
Ask the Lord to bring forth strong and growing fellowships of believers.
Scripture Prayers for the Gur, Farefare in Ghana.
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| Profile Source: Joshua Project |
