Muslims in Togo, Africa

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About Togo and its Peoples

Togo means “beside the waters” in the Ewe language (one of the national languages of Togo) referring to the Atlantic coastal region. The country is generally less than 100 km wide and is about 550 km long. Togo was a French colony until independence in 1960. Since 1991, the nation has suffered much political turmoil, which degenerated into intense armed conflict, especially in the central and southern regions, although there has been greater stability in recent years. The economy is heavily dependent on both commercial and subsistence agriculture, which provides employment for more than 60% of the labor force. Cocoa, coffee and cotton together generate about 30% of export earnings.

There are Muslims in many of Togo’s people groups. One of the larger unreached Muslim people groups, the Kotokoli (200,000), is concentrated in the centre of Togo in the region of Sokode. The Kotoloki used to control a principal trade route and developed a reputation for sharp, and perhaps underhanded, dealings in trade. Presently the Kotokoli are primarily farmers, growing sorghum and yams as their staple crops. Millet, maize, beans, okra, groundnuts and pumpkins are also grown. A variety of animals are kept, including cattle, donkeys, goats and sheep. The cattle are used for religious sacrifices, marriage payments and hides. The Kotokoli usually live in round houses with mud walls and cone shaped thatched roofs.

Islam in the 1700s among the Togo

Like many tribes in the area, the Kotokoli were first exposed to Islam in the 1700’s. They converted to Islam in the 1800’s after a neighboring people spread their Muslim beliefs among them. Today, almost all of the Kotokoli are Muslim, faithfully following the practices of Islam. The Kotokoli have a custom of giving praises about their heroic ancestors (often the chiefs). Special praises are given by flute without singing because they think that their voices do not do justice to deserving chiefs. May the Kotokoli discover that there is a Chief in heaven that deserves their praises more than anyone else.

Prayer guide for Togo:

* Ask God to send long-term missionaries to Togo to work among the Kotokoli as well as other unreached Muslim tribes: Anufo, Akaselem, Bago, Akpe and Anii. Ask God to send Christian medical teams and aid workers to minister to the physical needs of these peoples.

* Pray that God will give the few former Muslim believers boldness to share Christ with their friends and families. May new churches start through these families.

* Ask God ro break the influence of the spiritual principalities and powers that are keeping the Muslim tribes of Togo from hearing and receiving the Good News of the Gospel.

* May African Christians from Togo and various other countries be motivated to take the Gospel to their unreached neighbors.

Background on Togo (World Factbook)

French Togoland became Togo in 1960. Gen. Gnassingbe EYADEMA, installed as military ruler in 1967, continued to rule well into the 21st century. Despite the facade of multiparty elections instituted in the early 1990s, the government continued to be dominated by President EYADEMA, whose Rally of the Togolese People (RPT) party has maintained power almost continually since 1967. Togo has come under fire from international organizations for human rights abuses and is plagued by political unrest. While most bilateral and multilateral aid to Togo remains frozen, the EU initiated a partial resumption of cooperation and development aid to Togo in late 2004 based upon commitments by Togo to expand opportunities for political opposition and liberalize portions of the economy. Upon his death in February 2005, President EYADEMA was succeeded by his son Faure GNASSINGBE. The succession, supported by the military and in contravention of the nation’s constitution, was challenged by popular protest and a threat of sanctions from regional leaders. GNASSINGBE succumbed to pressure and agreed to hold elections in late April 2005 which legitimized his succession.

Economy of Togo

This small, sub-Saharan economy is heavily dependent on both commercial and subsistence agriculture, which provides employment for 65% of the labor force. Some basic foodstuffs must still be imported. Cocoa, coffee, and cotton generate about 40% of export earnings with cotton being the most important cash crop. Togo is the world’s fourth-largest producer of phosphate. The government’s decade-long effort, supported by the World Bank and the IMF, to implement economic reform measures, encourage foreign investment, and bring revenues in line with expenditures has moved slowly.

Statistics on Togo

Population: 5,858,673 — see notes below (July 2008 est.)

Life Expectancy at Birth: 58.28 years

Ethnic groups: native African (37 tribes; largest and most important are Ewe, Mina, and Kabre) 99%, European and Syrian-Lebanese less than 1%

Religions: Christian 29%, Muslim 20%, indigenous beliefs 51%

Languages: French (official and the language of commerce), Ewe and Mina (the two major African languages in the south), Kabye (sometimes spelled Kabiye) and Dagomba (the two major African languages in the north)

Literacy: 60.9% - male: 75.4% female: 46.9%

Population notes: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected.