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Dagara NT

Dagara

The Dagara (pronounced DAH-gah-rah) people reside in the southwest part of Burkina Faso and the northwest part of Ghana. They live in small villages scattered over a large area extending a distance of 118 miles from north to south, and 64 miles from east to west. The illiteracy rate exceeds 80%, and less than 15% of the population understands French, the official language of the country.

More than 90% of the Dagara provide for their families by subsistence farming. They grow crops of millet, peanuts and corn. As everywhere in Burkina Faso, the year is divided into two distinct seasons: a dry season and a rainy season. Economic and cultural activities vary according to the season.

More than 98% of the Dagara still follow their traditional animist religion. However, the Association of Evangelical Pentecostal Churches (AEEP) was planted in the area at the end of the 1940s. This church has established at least 14 local congregations with over 1,300 Dagara believers. In the southern part of the Dagara area, another mission has organized some churches with Dagara believers. Only a few individuals practice the other major religion in the region.

News from the Field
  • Jul14

    Dagara of Burkina Faso

    80,000 widely scattered villagers with about 1,300 Christians. The illiteracy rate exceeds 80%. The Dagara (pronounced DAH-gah-rah) people reside in the southwest part of Burkina Faso and the northwest part of Ghana. They live in small villages scattered over a large area. More than 98% of the Dagara still follow their traditional animist religion. However, the Association of Evangelical Pentecostal Churches (AEEP) was planted in the area at the end of the 1940s.

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  • Feb04

    Daily Prayer: the Dagara-speaking people of Burkina Faso

    Pray with us for the 80,000 Dagara people and for the translation of the New Testament into their lanugage.

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