Jola-Kwatay in Senegal

Introduction / History

Jola-Kwatay are an agricultural people living in southwest Senegal, along the coast south of the Casamance River, extending to Guinea-Bissau. Little is known about the origin of the Kwatay, but they are related to the larger family of Jola groups.

What Are Their Lives Like?

They raise rice as their main staple food. They live in cement or mud brick houses with thatched or aluminum roofs. Extended families live together in neighborhoods. The Jola-Kwatays are monogamous. Neighbors often work together by age groups to do cooperative farming.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Protestant missions began work in the 1960s. Catholicism and Islam entered the area in the early 1900s, although many resisted their influence. Today, most of the Jola-Kwatay who practice Catholicism or Islam also retain their traditional beliefs.

What Are Their Needs?

Economically, the Kwatay rely on rice for their livelihood, but also sell palm wine, fish, and vegetables. When the rice growing season is over, jobs are scarce, and people often move away from their villages to find employment. Health care needs improvement, and the infant mortality rate is high.

Prayer Points

Pray for the Lord to provide them with the water they need for their livestock and their crops.
Pray that Christians among the Jola-Kwatay will shine the light of the gospel in word and deed among their Muslim neighbors.
Pray for power encounters to show them that Jesus is Lord of all!
Pray that soon Jola-Kwatay disciples will make more disciples.

Text Source:   Joshua Project