Religion and Traditional Beliefs
The Yalunka are 99% Muslim. Although they follow most of the religious teachings of Islam and observe its rituals and ceremonies, some of their pre-Islamic beliefs still persist. For instance, they make sacrifices to ancestors to gain power referred to as Barinkiina. They also employ charms for personal power and have family-owned objects of power known as Suxurena which require sacrifices. They also continue to believe in Nyinanna, or "nature spirits," and sacrifices are regularly made to them. Some of the Nyinanna are said to be good spirits, helping with rice production and fertility in women; others are believed to be evil, living in the bush and stealing children from their parents. The more powerful spirits are called Yinnana.
The Yalunka also believe that witches, referred to as "night people" or Kweramuxuna, have the power to change into animals and cause harm to the villagers by eating their souls at night. Some put curses on victims' houses to ruin their crops. Special rituals are performed by diviners or sorcerers to keep the witches and evil Nyinanna away from farms and households.
Their devotion to Islam and fear of persecution have prevented all but a few Yalunka from converting to Christianity.
Read more about this topic: Yalunka People
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