About the People
About 150,000 Otammari live in Northern Benin and Togo. They are famous for their masonry and their traditional homes that resemble mud castles. Most are subsistence farmers and hunters.
Illiteracy is high among this group. Many people only read French, the administrative language of Benin. Very few can read or write their heart language, Ditammari. Most cling to animism and ancestor worship and have resisted both Islam and Christianity. Each household has a family altar called the fetish, where the father of the household makes sacrifices and appeals to the spirits of the ancestors. Participation in initiation ceremonies is of the highest importance for teenage boys and girls.
The whole Bible is translated into Ditammari, but it is out of print. However, the Holy Spirit is moving among these people who have traditionally been extremely resistant to outsiders. Evangelical Christians of several denominations have noticed a dramatic change in their openness in recent years.
About the Project
AFM missionaries have been ministering to the Otammari people since Linden and Michelle St. Clair launched the project in 1996. Today, Ulrike Baur-Kouato leads the project, assisted by her husband Toussaint and three local evangelists. They are working to nurture the church in Natitingou and a growing number of groups in surrounding villages. Suzy Baldwin worked on the Otammari Project for many years and now serves on the Pendjari Project.
People-Group Facts
- Population: 150,000
- Language: Ditammari
- Religion: Animist
The VBS topic was God wants to be close to us. Starting with creation, we showed how at the beginning everything was beautiful and perfect, and man lived in harmony and peace with God, our best friend.
By:
Ulrike & Toussaint Baur-Kouato
February 01 2012, 12:27 pm | Comments 0
That day I learned a lot about reconciliation. Seeing how the proper application of authority and kind, direct confrontation can bring about dramatic results opened my mind to the possibilities available to us as we work cross-culturally here in Benin.
By:
Jason Harral
February 01 2012, 11:20 am | Comments 0
The voices of children and adults talking and playing reach my ears through the windows, but I have little hope of being closer to them for several more days. For nearly three weeks now, I have spent most of my time in bed. The doctor thinks I have Typhoid Fever.
By:
Jason & Maggi Harral
January 01 2012, 3:41 pm | Comments 0
Vivianne sat on the floor, eating spaghetti and looking around with her big, beautiful eyes.
By:
Jason Harral
December 01 2011, 5:00 am | Comments 0
Here we are, writing our first article from Benin! We have known for two and a half years that we would come here and have been preparing, praying and longing for this day to come.
By:
Jason & Maggi Harral
November 01 2011, 4:00 am | Comments 0
On July 22, 2011, Norway was forever changed. In the city of Oslo, one hour from where we lived, and on an island we could see from our house, one evil man perpetuated the worst peacetime attack Norway has ever seen.
By:
Jason & Maggi Harral
October 01 2011, 6:12 pm | Comments 0
“I’m so thrilled we were able to buy your house,” the wife said, smiling. “It’s a kiss from God.”
By:
Jason & Maggi Harral
September 01 2011, 4:00 am | Comments 0
