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SeekHim — Pray for Burkina Faso
Published: 2013-07-03 07:53:30 +0000 UTC; Views: 665; Favourites: 7; Downloads: 0
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Description
Burkina Faso is a landlocked country in West AfricaIt is bordered by Mali in the north; Niger in the east; Benin in the southeast;
Togo and Ghana in the south; and the Ivory Coast in the southwest.
Ouagadougou is the capital and largest city.
Bobo-Dioulasso is the second largest.
The population is about 15 million.
FACTS
The country was originally called Upper Volta.
It was called that because it is situated on the upper reaches of the Volta River.
The river's three tributaries are the Black Volta, White Volta and Red Volta
Burkino Faso means ‘Fatherland of Upright People’ or ‘Land of Honest People.’
"Burkina" is Mòoré for "Men of Integrity"
‘Faso" is the Dioula word for ‘Fatherland.’
Inhabitants of Burkina Faso are called Burkinabè
The country has about 80 different ethnic groups.
The culture is very patriarchal and clans are very important.
There is a strong tradition of oral history and storytelling
DEMOGRAPHICS
47.9% Mossi
10.3% Fulani
6.9% Lobi
6.9% Bobo
6.7% Mandé
5.3% Senufo
5.0% Grosi
4.8% Gurma
3.1% Tuareg
61% Muslim
19% Catholic
4% Protestant
15% Animist
HISTORY
Burkina Faso has been inhabited for thousands of years.
Its earliest inhabitants were hunter-gatherers in the northwest.
Farming was practiced between 3600-2600 B.C.
Iron was used between 1500 and 1000 B.C.
From the 11th century-1896 the Mossi established several powerful kingdoms.
The most powerful were Wagadogo (Ouagadougou) and Yatenga.
France controlled the area from 1896-1960.
Ouagadougou was made a French protectorate in 1896
The eastern and western areas came under French rule in 1897.
In 1904 the area became part of French West Africa.
Draftees from the territory participated in the European fronts of World War I
Between 1915-1916, the western part of the country and the eastern fringe of Mali
became the stage for the Volta-Bani War which fought against colonial government.
The colony of French Upper Volta was established in 1919.
It consisted of Upper Volta, the Ivory Coast and Upper Senegal and Niger.
The colony was dissolved in 1932.
Upper Volta became an autonomous republic in the French community in 1958.
It became fully independent in 1960.
It was re-named Burkino Faso in 1987.
Since gaining independence, Burkina has seen several military takeovers
and a string of dictators.
In 2011, the death of a schoolboy provoked uprisings throughout the country,
as well as a military mutiny and a magistrates' strike.
CONDITIONS
The country has seen a lot of unrest.
In 2011, the death of a schoolboy provoked uprisings throughout the country,
as well as a military mutiny and a magistrates' strike.
80% of the population is involved in agriculture.
A large part of the economy is funded by international aid.
Many aid programs only create more dependence.
There is mining of copper, iron, manganese, gold, cassiterite (tin ore)
and phosphates.
Burkina Faso the fourth largest gold producer in Africa, after South Africa,
Mali and Ghana.
Small Syrian and Lebanese immigrant communities reside in the 2 largest cities.
The country is located on the Sahara desert.
It has a short growing season and is vulnerable to drought.
Due to poverty many are immigrating to cities.
Poverty has led to many going to the Ivory Coast for seasonal work.
77% of the population is unemployed.
Almost half of the population lives below the poverty line.
The country has one of the lowest literacy rates in the world.
HIV/AIDS is prevalent.
Up to 10% of the adult population are affected.
HIV/AIDS has led to a high infant mortality rate.
SPIRITUAL CONDITIONS
60% of the population is Muslim.
Muslims reside largely around the northern, eastern, and western borders.
Ouagadougou, the capital, has a mixed Muslim and Christian population.
Bobo-Dioulasso, the country's second largest city, is mostly Muslim.
Up to 70% of migrant workers in the Ivory Coast convert to Islam while
away from home.
23% of the population claim to be Christian.
Christians mostly live in the center of the country.
The Syrian and Lebanese communities are mostly Christian.
15% of the population are Animist.
Animism is practice throughout the country, especially in rural communities.
Many congregations suffer from schisms
Many churches practice syncretism with animism and pagan worship.
There is a great need for leadership, mentoring and financial support.
Many Christians face great pressures living in a society that is
predominantly Muslim, animist and tribally hierarchical.
PRAYER NEEDS
Pray that unrest and violence stops.
Pray that governmental corruption stops.
Pray that the government rules with justice.
Pray that the economy improve
Pray that aid programs be chosen and administered wisely
Pray that the country be protected from drought.
Pray for those suffering from poverty and unemployment.
Pray that education improve.
Pray for those suffering from HIV.
Pray that the Gospel spread among Muslims and Animists.
Pray that animist spirits be bound.
Pray that churches gain discernment and more unity.
Pray that there be improvements in leadership and mentoring.
