Mandyak, Manjaco in Senegal

Introduction / History

The Mandya, Manjaco in Guinea-Bissau are best known as the Manjack people. Their name means, "I tell you."
The Manjaco people mainly live in northwestern Guinea-Bissau, though others live in southern Senegal or The Gambia. Some have migrated to France, a country that once held their homeland as a colony.

What Are Their Lives Like?

They are a rural people who make their living by subsistence farming like most people in their part of West Africa. There are also a number of Manjaco people who have made their mark in Africa as professional soccer players.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The Manjaco people hold to traditional religion that centers around the spirits of their ancestors. They believe these ancestral spirits are selfish and vindictive, yet they have power to bring good or bad fortune. During their many rituals Manjacos have been known to demand that the ancestral spirits do them favors in return for the gifts and offerings they bring. They sometimes refer to these spirits as "workers" and the Manjacos are the "employers" who will only pay them with offerings if the spirits produce blessings. The Manjaco people believe that funerals are essential to ensure that these spirits treat them well. Manjacos who move to cities will return to their rural homelands to participate in funeral rituals.

What Are Their Needs?

The Manjaco people in Senegal need to put their hope in the King of kings, realizing that he is the one who gives them worth and dignity no matter what they may face in their daily lives.

Prayer Points

Pray for the Lord to bless the Manjaco people economically and spiritually.
Pray for loving workers to go to the Manjaco people in Sepegal until there are disciples who make more disciples.
Pray the Lord will prepare the hearts of the Manjaco to understand and to believe the gospel.

Text Source:   Joshua Project