Bwaba in Mali and Burkina have a new asset

By Tom Castor | June 9, 2018 |

According to Wikipedia:

 The Bwa or Bwaba, or Bobo-Wule, are an ethnic group indigenous to central Burkina Faso and Mali. Their population is approximately 300,000. They are known for their use of masks, made from leaves or wood, used in performative ceremonies.

The church among the Bwaba has grown in recent years, largely from the work of grass-roots church planters. Early in the winter of 2018, Nebié Badiou, who represents CSM in French West Africa, received a request for a translation of Simple Truths in the Bwaba language.

The Bwaba people live in central Burkina Faso and south-east Mali, areas that have had Evangelical influences for more than 70 years. The recent interest in helping these churches has come from other indigenous language groups where the church is stronger. They have a strong desire to build up the Bwaba congregations. Most of the new believers among the Bwaba come out of “folk Islam”, a blend of Islam and traditional tribal religions. The result is a complex mix of Muslim traditions and animistic beliefs.

The work of translating the “little book” began in early Spring. On June 9, the final translation was presented at the CSM Africa meeting, ready for publication. While there are still a few cosmetic and layout issues to resolve, the Bwaba translation of Simple Truths should be online at www.asimpleword.org by mid-July.

Tom Castor

Thomas Castor, founder of Clear and Simple Media Group, is a seasoned writer and communicator who has been delivering content with clarity and simplicity for 30 years.