Introduction / History

The Kalemse, also known as the Samoya, are principally found in Burkina Faso's northwest region, though there are some Kalemse villages in Mali. The region they live in is one of the country's driest, with less than 700 mm or 28 inches of rainfall per year.

What Are Their Lives Like?

This amount is barely adequate for raising the group's staple crop, millet. To make matters worse, rainy seasons since the 1970s have been less and less reliable, resulting in very poor harvests in certain years.

As much as their means allow, the Kalemse raise livestock to help meet their needs. In other respects as well, life is difficult for the Kalemse.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Most are involved with their traditional religion. They fear the spirit world. A small number have given their hearts and minds to the King of kings.

What Are Their Needs?

In the area of health care, they face many challenges - the lack of clinics in the region, malnutrition, impure water, and tropical diseases. There are only three primary schools serving the area, all having started in 1983. Very few Kalemse are able to attend junior school and high school.

Prayer Items

Pray for the Lord to give the Kalemse Samos a record high harvest as a testimony of his goodness and limitless power.
Pray for the Lord to send Christian workers to help them meet their educational and medical needs.
Pray for African Christians to take Christ to the Kalemse Samos in Mali.
Pray for the Lord to prepare their hearts to hear of the only Savior.

Scripture Prayers for the Samo, Kalemse in Mali.

References

Anonymous.