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
When the boys came for their treatments, they brought a few other neighborhood kids who also had sores. Soon I had more than 10 little patients, morning and evening.
By:
Suzy & Fidel Baldwin-Noutehou
April 10 2003, 7:35 pm | Comments 0
Here in Benin, preparation for Christmas starts somewhere in the beginning of December. The seamstress shops are among the busiest, making new clothes for everyone. Almost everyone gets new clothes if they have even a little bit of money.
By:
Suzy & Fidel Baldwin-Noutehou
December 01 2002, 8:44 pm | Comments 0
We did our second health program under the giant mango tree. An old story says that a long time ago a king came for a visit up north and brought a mango with him.
By:
Suzy & Fidel Baldwin-Noutehou
November 01 2002, 8:46 pm | Comments 0
It has been a humbling experience for me to see how you, mostly complete strangers yet brothers and sisters in the faith, have reached deep in your pockets to support little me. Who am I that you should send your money and your support to someone you have never met?
By:
Suzy & Fidel Baldwin-Noutehou
September 01 2002, 7:47 pm | Comments 0
On the appointed day, they were waiting under the old mango tree. They looked pretty normal to me, wearing clothes like ours. Finally, we had enough people to start.
By:
Evette
August 01 2002, 7:49 pm | Comments 0
Many of you tasted the Ottammari bean balls I made at last year’s mission rally in Michigan. So many of you have asked me how to make bean balls that I am going to give you the recipe.
By:
Suzy & Fidel Baldwin-Noutehou
June 01 2002, 7:51 pm | Comments 0
When you think you are in over your head, just remember that God puts us in these situations to teach us to rely on Him for our wisdom and strength.
By:
Suzy & Fidel Baldwin-Noutehou
May 01 2002, 7:55 pm | Comments 0
In the interest of time, we decided to present a shortened version of the first day to the men who had gathered. We had lots of interaction and comments.
By:
Suzy & Fidel Baldwin-Noutehou
May 01 2002, 7:53 pm | Comments 0
I am often faced with the question of how to minister to the single men in our town when they come asking questions about spiritual things.
By:
Suzy & Fidel Baldwin-Noutehou
February 02 2002, 8:58 pm | Comments 0
