A New Frontier in Africa

People Group Description

The Wolof are a proud people with a strong sense of identity and a long history. Making up 39% of Senegal’s population, their language has also become a language of trade for many in Senegal. Some Wolof have settled in cities working as teachers, merchants or government officials, but most live in rural areas as farmers.

The Wolof typically live in small villages, with family compounds grouped around a village square. They grow sorghum, millet, okra, peppers and beans as dietary staples, while peanuts are grown as a cash crop, allowing them to meet their household needs.

Wolof culture places a high value on hospitality, peace, dignity and propriety. Bringing shame to one’s family is the worst thing a person can do. A common proverb “Better a lie that heals than a truth that hurts,” demonstrates the importance of avoiding shame. This makes change difficult, as individuals seek to do what is expected of them. 

Senegal’s unique version of Islam, mixed with animistic beliefs, is at the core of the Wolof identity. Sufi Muslim leaders, known as marabouts, are honored and faithfully followed by the Wolof. Families will often send one of their sons to learn how to read the Koran in Arabic without any real comprehension. These boys are often seen on the streets collecting money on behalf of their marabout.

There is also a strong social connection between families and their larger community which follows a particular Sufi Muslem “brotherhood”. Each brotherhood has its own business and social network. Becoming a Christian is a rejection not just of Islam, but of an entire network of familial, social, and business connections. The result is few Wolof believers (about 300), making the Wolof 0.01% Christian. They are definitely a “Frontier Unreached People Group”.

Ministry Overview

The vision of World Team Senegal is to come alongside Senegal’s missions, churches and Muslim-Background Believers (MBBs) to see reproducing churches established among the Wolof. Goals include:

Reach: Meet felt needs of the community (education, water, agriculture, health) through the team’s skills or external networks; providing platforms for sharing the Gospel through Bible Studies.

Invest in: Disciple national Muslim Background Believers (MBBs) into still more effective ministry

Equip: Conduct trainings as we gain expertise and reinforce the trainings of others through ongoing discipleship

Release: At every stage, our desire is to release disciples to reproduce what they have been taught

Team Emphasis

The French colonized Senegal during the 1800s. During the French rule, Wolof Islamic leaders rose to prominence, and Islam became a symbol of resistance to colonialism. Senegal gained its independence from France in 1960.

The New Testament has been available for the deep “Regional Wolof” for several years. A digital Wolof Bible is also available, with the print copy scheduled for dedication in 2026. In addition, there are new translations in process for “Wolof Fondamental”. Despite these resources, few Wolof have chosen to follow Jesus and allow the gospel to transform their lives.

The established church in Senegal has many believers from other African countries. As a result, the culture of the church generally has a very boisterous Francophone West African feel (drums, dancing, and non-Muslim dress), which is at odds with the traditional Wolof culture that values propriety.

World Team Senegal is seeking to engage the Wolof (and Wolof speakers) through holistic ministries such as medical, agricultural, veterinarian, and community development, alongside Oral Bible Storying and Bible Studies.

Prayer Focus

• Pray for the Holy Spirit to begin working among the Wolof, preparing hearts for the gospel.
• Pray for long-term workers with various skills who are committed to using holistic ministries to build relationships in order to share the gospel.

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” -Luke 4:18-19