For most of the Songhai, their day begins with a call to prayer.  Loud speakers mounted on the minarets of mosques throughout their homeland are used to issue the five obligatory calls to prayer each day.  Islamic practices define the Songhai’s daily life.  Islam was introduced in this area and to the Songhai some 500 years ago. 

The Toura of Cote d’Ivoire
Filmed December 2000

2004 Update     2:12    September 2002 brought civil war to Cote d’Ivoire dividing the country.  It was necessary for the missionaries to leave the country …  no word was available concerning the fate of the people of Dantomba.  Finally, in October 2003, word came that although many Toura villages had suffered, Dantomba had been spared from conflict.

Powerless Blood     10:27      Blood runs freely in the rain forests of Ivory Coast: the blood of chickens, goats and sheep, -- blood that our people hope will rise as a sweet aroma to our ancestors.  To sacrifice is to honor them, to beg their favor – to be Toura. 

Welcome to Dantomba    18:10     Dantomba is located in west central Cote d'Ivoire, West Africa about 9 hours driving time from Abidjan.  It is one of the many villages where the Toura live.

My Friend, Clarice     5:27      Clarice lives with her family in Dantomba.  Her husband had such a change in his life after coming to know Jesus that Clarice wanted to know more about this Jesus.  Then a young white woman moved in next door.  They slowly learned to communicate.  Her new friend knew this Jesus. Clarice was amazed that she would leave her home in the U.S. to come and live in her village.

Rice Harvest       4:50      The women in a Toura village go in work groups to harvest the rice.  Our rice fields are what feed us.  The rice harvest is the most important time of the year.  The time we are finally sure that we will not go hungry in the days ahead.  Notice how the women carefully pick each stem of rice by hand to make sure that none of the kernels are lost.  When we finally carry all of the rice to the village.

The Fulbe Fouta of Guinea
Filmed September 2001

The Familiar Path     9:50    A vital part of “being Fulbe” is a deep and compelling desire to be accepted into paradise when they die.   To do this, the Fulbe have chosen the path of Islam.   They are very proud of their religion and the fact that they are the ones who brought Islam to West Africa. 

 Where Two Paths Meet     3:05     The strongholds of ritual and tradition are leading the Fulbe on a path of destruction.  Few are willing to pay the huge cost of losing family, livelihood and possibly life to follow Christ's footsteps down the path of eternal, abundant life.

The Bassari of Senegal
Filmed March 2002

Cry from the Heart of Chibikiling    9:48     Chibikiling, with a population of about 100, is typical of Bassari villages.  To reach this community, located about 30 miles from the city of Kedougou, one travels west across the Gambia River and past the more densely populated areas near the river. Continuing on, the landscape becomes stark and uninviting.  Eventually several miles of     dirt road will lead to the destination.

 A Ray of Light in a Dark Village      3:27       Those who consider themselves believers are poorly taught and they do not have access to Scriptures in a way that is understandable to them.  Giving up their old well-established beliefs completely is a major problem among those who profess some Christian faith.

The Tukulor of Senegal
Filmed July 2002

Footprints of Their Fathers   12:20      It is said, “to be Tukulor is to be Muslim.”   This tightly held belief in Islam is ever-present throughout the area.   Mosques dominate the skyline of the villages and towns.   This strong allegiance to Islam and close relationships among families make change very difficult.
There are no known Tukulor Christians in Northern Senegal.

Tukulor Children:  Captives of the Past     4:55       The Tekrur Empire once dominated the area along the Senegal River.   During the tenth century, this powerful empire became the first to take on the Islamic faith.  They used their power and influence to spread Islam to many other people in West Africa.