Lefa in Cameroon

Introduction / History

Lefa' is spoken in twenty-six villages of the Deuk Subdivision in the Mbam-and- Inoubou Division of Central Province. The Lefa' speaking area, about 1,550 square kilometers, is located north of Bafia and the Mbam River. This area is quite isolated, surrounded by rivers, many small tributaries, forest and mountains. All travel in and out of the area must come up from the south and pass by way of a singular ferry across the Mbam, there are no bridges.

The Fa' people need increased healthcare, more schools, improved roads, bridges across the Mbam River, and electricity. Pray that these community development needs will be met. A Catholic sister runs a mission in Deuk that provides health care for the Fa' people, but much more care is still needed. Pray that epilepsy will become less prevalent in the area. In some Fa' villages only 35% of the children have the opportunity to attend primary school, two villages have no school. The Fa' people need more schools and electricity, pray for these improvements in their standard of living.

French is the language of wider communication. The youth of the three major Fa' villages speak French more than their own language, reliance upon the mother tongue is stronger in the more remote villages. Lefa' is closely related to Rikpa (language of Bafia town), which has a translated New Testament. Those Fa' people who have contact with Rikpa people seem to understand their speech well, although some reject the Rikpa scriptures because they say it is not their own language. Others might be willing to use the Rikpa New Testament if they possessed a copy. There are a few Presbyterian and Catholic congregations in the area. Pray for church growth, both in maturity of faith and in numbers of Christians. Ask God to free the Fa' people from traditional religion and draw them to Christ.

Text Source:   Anonymous