Kurumfe, Fulse in Mali

Introduction / History

The Koromba are found predominantly in northern Burkina Faso, with some villages in south-central Mali. The group is split quite evenly into two dialects. The Koromba are one of several Burkina Faso ethnic groups living in a drought prone area. For subsistence farmers, sufficient rainfall is a matter of life and death. As a safety net for the lean years, some villages have dams and reservoirs, by which they are able to grow vegetables after the rainy season. Another source of income is the raising of livestock. Finally the Koromba often have at least one member of their family in Cote d 'Ivoire or Ghana trying to find a paying job, or in the countryside north of their homeland searching for gold.

Healthcare is improving. Most larger villages have dispensaries, and a hospital was recently constructed in a city between the dialect areas. Education is still a great area of need. Less than one in five children are able to attend primary school, and fewer still attend middle and high school. Islam is the predominate religion of the Koromba. It is most strictly practiced in the east, as one moves west, one sees a greater influence of traditional religious practices. The greatest advance in the gospel is in the western area, where there are approximately 300 Christians. In the eastern region, however, there are only 30 Koromba believers. For the Koromfe becoming a Christian means facing rejection by the family and community. The sacrifice is great.

Text Source:   Anonymous