The population of Senegal consists of a diversity of ethnic groups. The largest of these groups are the Wolof (35% of the population), the Fulani and Tukulor (21%), the Serer (11%), the Diola (6%), and the Malinke (6%). About 78% of Senegal's population is engaged in agriculture, even though only 27% of the land area is suitable for farming. Nevertheless, Senegal is among the world's largest producers of peanuts, which are grown in many areas of the country, especially the northwest.

What Are Their Lives Like
The chief economic activity of Senegal is agriculture, with peanuts and peanut oil providing a significant share of yearly export earnings. However, this has declined in recent years, from 29% of the earnings in the early 1980's to 12% in the early 1990's. Attempts are being made to diversify agriculture and to achieve self-sufficiency by expanding rice and tomato cultivation.

Little is known about the specific culture and traditions of the Kasa; thus, some assumptions have been made in this profile based on the lifestyles of the neighboring groups. Like most of the peoples of West Africa, the Kasa are assumed to be farmers. A variety of crops are raised in this region, using very basic tools. Maize, manioc, and rice are the staples, but squash, melons, sweet potatoes, peppers, and tomatoes are also grown. Major tree crops include bananas, coconuts, mangoes, and papayas. The Kasa raise cattle, sheep, and goats but do not use their milk. Dogs and chickens are seen in almost every village. Hunting is of less importance than agriculture, but there is considerable gathering of wild fruits and roots; berries; and kola, shea, and palm nuts. The Kasa live in extended family compounds, each consisting of a cluster of huts usually arranged in a circle around an open space. Often the entire compound is surrounded by a fence, hedge, or wall. The compounds usually adjoin to form compact villages. In general, the dwellings are round with mud walls and cone-shaped, thatched roofs. However, many local variations exist.

In the Kasa community, men hunt, fish, clear the land, and tend to the cattle. The women do the gathering and help some in the agricultural work. Chiefs exercise political authority in the village. Succession usually passes to the next brother or to the oldest son of the deceased's elder sister.

Circumcision of males is practiced, and some female circumcision is also continued. These practices are mainly associated with initiation ceremonies at puberty and typically involve a period of instruction in an isolated "bush school."

The Kasa prefer cousins as marriage partners. A bride-price in livestock, commonly pigs, is paid, and often, premarital bride-service is also required. Polygyny (having more than one wife) occurs to only a limited extent. In such cases, however, each wife has her own hut, and the husband spends a fixed period with each on a rotation basis.

What Are Their Belief?
Ninety percent of the people in Senegal are Muslim. Nearly 6% of the population is Christian, and 3.5% practice ethnic religions. Among the Kasa, approximately 75% are Muslim. The rest are either Christians or ethnic religionists.

What Are Their Needs?
Although the Kasa are 6% Christian, they are without any evangelistic resources in their own language. In addition to Christian laborers, leadership development and discipleship materials are needed to help continue the growth of the Church.

• Ask the Lord of the harvest to send laborers to work among the Kasa of Senegal.
• Pray that the Holy Spirit will soften the hearts of the Kasa towards Christians so they will be receptive to the Gospel.
• Pray that God will reveal Himself to the Kasa through dreams and visions.
• Ask the Lord to save key leaders among the Kasa who will boldly proclaim the Gospel.
• Pray that signs and wonders will follow the Kasa believers as they share Christ with their families and friends.
• Take authority over the spiritual principalities and powers that have kept the Kasa bound for many generations.
• Ask God to raise up prayer teams who will begin breaking up the spiritual soil of Senegal through worship and intercession.
• Ask the Lord to bring forth a triumphant Kasa church for the glory of His name!

THE PEOPLE

• People name: Kasa
• Country: Senegal
• Their language: Jala-Kasa
• Population: (1990) 29,200
  (1995) 33,100
  (2000) 37,800
• Largest religion: Muslim 75%
  Ethnic religionist 19%
• Christian: 6%
• Church members: 2,270
• Scriptures in their own language: Portions
• Jesus Film in their own language: None
• Christian broadcasts in their own language: None
• Mission agencies working among this people: 1
• Persons who have heard the Gospel: 11,600 (35%) Those evangelized by local Christians: 4,300 (13%)
  Those evangelized from the outside: 7,300 (22%)
• Persons who have never heard the Gospel: 21,500 (65%)

• Country: Senegal
• Population: (1990) 7,326,500
  (1995) 8,311,600
  (2000) 9,495,200
• Major peoples in size order: Wolof 34.7%
  Fulankunda 12.4%
  Serer-Sine 11.2%
  Tukulor 8.7%
  Mandinka 5.9%
• Major religions: Muslim 90.5%
  Christian 5.8%
  Ethnic religionist 3.5%
• Number of denominations: 17