Soninke, Sarakole in Cote d'Ivoire






Largest Religion

Main Language


Soninke people video

Source LinkUp Africa                                                Download

Introduction / History


Today, there are a significant number of Soninke in Cote d'Ivoire, making up a very small percentage of the country's total population. They live primarily along the northern border of Cote d'Ivoire. Many also live across the border in Mali and Burkina Faso. Due to influence by a large nomadic tribe known as the Fulani, the Soninke have become farmers and herdsmen. They speak a Mandingo language called Soninke (or Marka).

What are Their Lives Like?




Soninke marriages require the payment of a bride-price. In contrast to most neighboring tribes, the bride-price is given to the bride rather than her parents and becomes part of her dowry. Pre-marital sexual relations are forbidden. Polygyny (having more than one wife) is generally accepted, with each man being limited to four wives by Islamic law.


What are Their Beliefs?

Most of the Soninke in Cote d'Ivoire (three-quarters) practice their traditional ethnic religion. They are primarily animists, which means that they believe that a spirit or force resides in every animate and inanimate object. They live in fear of the evil spirits and constantly strive to appease them. The remaining one-quarter are Sunni Muslims, following the teachings of the Islamic prophet Mohammed. They faithfully adhere to the five essential "pillars," or duties, of Islam. These include affirming that "there is no god but Allah, and Mohammed is his prophet;" praying five times a day while facing Mecca; giving alms generously; fasting during Ramadan, the ninth month of the Muslim year; and making at least one pilgrimage to Mecca, if possible.

What are Their Needs?


Prayer Points

* Ask the Lord to send forth laborers into Cote d'Ivoire to share Christ with the Soninke.
* Ask God to raise up prayer teams who will begin breaking up the spiritual soil of Cote d'Ivoire through intercession.

Profile Source:   Bethany World Prayer Center  

Expanded PDF Profile

People Name General Soninke
People Name in Country Soninke, Sarakole
Population in Cote d'Ivoire 162,000
World Population 2,317,000
Countries 8
Progress Scale 1.1
Least-Reached Yes
Indigenous Yes
Affinity Bloc Sub-Saharan Peoples
People Cluster Soninke
People Name General Soninke
Ethnic Code NAB63j
Soninke (Unknown)
Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible Portions Yes   (2001-2012)
New Testament No
Complete Bible No
Category Resource
Audio Recordings Global Recordings
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Soninke

Major Religion Percent
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
25.00 %
0.00 %
75.00 %
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
0.00 %
Photo Source: Link Up Africa  
Map Source: Bethany World Prayer Center  
Video Source: LinkUp Africa
Profile Source: Bethany World Prayer Center  
Data Sources: Data is compiled from various sources. Read more
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