Bainouk, Gunyaamolo in Gambia

Introduction / History

Bainouk are the founders in most villages and first settlers in the Gambia. Bainouk are intermingle with many tribes that have settled in the Gambia most especially the Mandinka tribe that have influence most Bainouk to become Muslims. Before Christianity came in the Gambia, they practiced traditional religion and still now they have their cultural shrines in some communities in some of their settlements though professing the faith of Islam.
One of the earliest villages they settled in are Foni Jarrol and Kamamudo. During those times they embraced the coming of the white missionaries into the country and were seen and termed to be part of the white man religion call Soninke or unbelievers. It was also known to be, that the Catholics were the first to bring religion to the Bainouk.
As movement of people were occurring so many passersby, that have been hosted in some villages of the Bainouk tribe started seeing and taking note of some noble people with moral standing among the Bainouk in their settlements. As those passersby come to weekly local market days commonly known as (Lumo) and were hosted by the Bainouk people and relations began to build up and so it happened that among those passersby were Mandinka Muslims teachers and traders at the same time.
In relating and doing business the first Bainouk man was convinced and converted to Islam by Muslim scholars who were traveling to villages to teach Islam and do trade.
A story of the most influential and warrior Bainouk man who was converted to Islam through war and was captured and taken by the Muslims fighters. He was taken away as a captive and was converted to Islam. He was trained, taught the Koran and was given magical powers to do “Islamic” healing. Then later when he was freed, he was commissioned to go back to his people and convert them to Islam. He eventually became the greatest instrument of converting his people.

What Are Their Lives Like?

In any Bainouk village they see a potential Bainouk man they will convince and convert and take him away to teach him the Koran and empower him to come back and convert his people to Islam.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Because of their historical background, the Bainouk people are very dedicated to Islam.

What Are Their Needs?

The Bainouk people need to experience the grace and forgiveness of Jesus Christ. That will not happen until they accept his sacrifice on the cross as payment for their sins.

Prayer Points

Pray for the Holy Spirit to give the Bainouk people teachable and understanding hearts.
Pray that a strong movement of the Holy Spirit will bring entire Bainouk families into a rich experience of God's blessing.
Pray for Bainouk families to be drawn by the Holy Spirit to seek forgiveness, and to understand the adequacy of Christ's work on the cross.
Pray for teams of believers to do sustained, focused prayer for the Lord to open the hearts of Bainouk family leaders to experience God's blessing through a movement of family-based discovery Bible studies.

Text Source:   Joshua Project