People Group Profiles

“All nations will come and worship before you."

- Revelations 15:4

Soninke of United States


People Group Info

Total Population: 5,300

ROP3 Code: 109413
IMB Affinity Group: Sub-Saharan African Peoples
Affinity Bloc: Sub-Saharan African
People Cluster: Soninke
Language: Soninke - (snk)
Religion: Islam
Country of Origin: Mali

Photo courtesy of Joshua Project. Copyright © International Mission Board-SBC

Majority Located Where

  New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY - 15,000

  Cincinnati-Middletown, OH - 5,000

Click here to recommend other locations where this People Group resides.

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Brief Profile

The Soninke people originated from Mali, officially the Republic of Mali, a landlocked country in West Africa.

They are part of the Malian cluster of peoples. Their distinguishing people identity is their high sense of national identity, often when asked who they are will answer as being from Mali or Malian, and their primary language being Soninke. The Bambara and Jula people are two other distinct people of Malian descent.

Many live illegally in the United States, and raise native-born children. Furthermore, the practice of polygamy exists in Muslim countries and is still maintained in the Malian community in the United States.

They speak Soninke as a first or second language. In addition, they also speak French and English.

The majority of Soninke people adhere to Sunni Islam.

Prayer Points

  • Pray God will send Christians to live among and share the message of Christ both in word and deed.
  • Pray God will work via dreams and other means to reveal Jesus Christ as the way, truth, and life for the Soninke people.
  • Pray Christians will minister to both the spiritual and physical needs of the Soninke people.


Learning Resources

Learn more about "Any-3"
Any–3 provides biblical principles and practical steps that have equipped hundreds of Christians to witness confidently and effectively. Over the past decade, thousands of Muslims have been engaged with the gospel.

Learn more about "Learning Paths"
Online Courses for embracing, encountering and engaging diaspora people. Work at your own pace. Begin anytime and complete the course according to your schedule. Interactive, Hands-On Application.

Learn more about "Reaching the Nations"
This book delineates five disciplines Christians should develop in order to effectively reach the nations. More specifically, it will guide Christians to develop an engagement strategy in their locale.

Loving Muslims Small Group Study
This Loving Muslims booklet is a two-week group study that takes a deeper look at Christ’s command to "love our neighbor."

World Religions - Beliefs Overview
An overview of major world religions and cults - their beliefs and practices.

Overview of Islam
Overview of Islam and its sub-groupings. Developed by the North American Mission Board, SBC. Includes generalized witnessing tips.


Other Resources

Prayer Guide for Unreached Peoples
A 30 day guide to pray for unreached people groups.

Prayer Guide using the GOSPELS acronym
A prayer guide that utilizes the acronym GOSPELS to pray for workers among diaspora.

Displaying 1-2 of 2 results.
Country City Metro Area Name State / Prov. Baseline Population
United StatesBronxNew York-Newark-Jersey CityNY15,000
United StatesCincinnatiCincinnati-MiddletownOH5,000