Mandinka in United States

Introduction / History

Most Manding speakers can trace their roots back to the once great Mali Empire, which rose to power in the 1200s under the rule of the "lion king," Sundiata. After unifying the kingdom, Sundiata began conquering the surrounding peoples.

During the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries as many as a third of the Mandinka population were shipped to the Americas as slaves. A significant portion of the African-Americans in the United States are descended from the Mandinka people.

Starting around 2000, the number of African migrants to the United States has increased. They are most likely to live in Texas, New York, California, Maryland, New Jersey, Massachusetts or Virginia.

What Are Their Lives Like?

The policy of the United States gives preference to immigrants with money, education and certain needed skills. That goes for West Africans like the Mandika people.

As a general rule when West Africans migrate to the US, they form their own ethnic neighborhoods. That way they only deal with people from their own language and culture. When their population is big enough, they form their own ethnic group specific mosque.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Islam was first introduced to the Mali Empire by foreign merchants. Gradually, Islam was blended with their traditional beliefs, which involved worshiping the spirits of the land. Mandinka people who live in the US are most likely to either become more secularized or more Islamized. Most of the Mandinka observe Islamic rituals with little understanding of what they really mean. They view Allah as being the one supreme god. However, they also see him as inaccessible and little concerned with the daily affairs of his creation.

What Are Their Needs?

The Madinka people, be they in West Africa or the US, need the opportunity to allow Jesus Christ to transform their lives. They have a much better chance of that happening in the US if believers reach out to them. African American Christ followers might be the best people to reach them, but anyone guided by the Holy Spirit can do it as well.

Prayer Points

Pray that God will give the Maninka believers boldness to share the love of Christ with their own people.
Ask the Holy Spirit to grant wisdom and favor to missionaries working among the African diaspora in the US.
Pray for a Disciple Making Movement to emerge among the Maninka people in the US.
Ask God to raise up prayer teams who will begin breaking up the spiritual soil through worship and intercession.

Text Source:   Joshua Project