Pana, Sama in Mali

People Name:	Pana, Sama
Country:	Mali
10/40 Window:	Yes
Population:	8,900
World Population:	18,900
Primary Language:	Pana (Burkina Faso)
Primary Religion:	Ethnic Religions
Christian Adherents:	2.00 %
Evangelicals:	0.00 %
Scripture:	Unspecified
Ministry Resources:	No
Jesus Film:	No
Audio Recordings:	Yes
People Cluster:	Gur
Affinity Bloc:	Sub-Saharan Peoples
Progress Level:

Introduction / History

The Pana are a small ethnic group living in Burkina Faso and south central Mali. The population inhabiting 13 villages is fairly evenly divided between the two countries.

What Are Their Lives Like?

The Pana live by subsistence farming. The rains, which come between May and October, are adequate to allow for such crops as rice and maize, besides millet, the staple. Raising livestock, such as cattle and goats, is an important part of the Pana economy.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The Pana homeland is not easily reached because of the poor roads. One effect of this relative isolation is fewer government services. There are only three elementary schools in the region. Receiving adequate health care also becomes more difficult with poor roads.

What Are Their Needs?

Unlike most people in Mali who adhere to Islam, the Pana cling to their traditional religion.

Prayer Points

Pray for better roads, hospitals and schools for the Pana people.
Pray for the Lord to thrust out Holy Spirit anointed workers to the Pana people.
Pray for spiritual hunger among these people so they can seek and find Christ.
Pray for the Lord to give them an abundant harvest this year as a testimony of his power and mercy.