The Gangam speak Nyamngan, a Gur language closely related to Gurma. Because many Anufo villages are also located in the area, many Gangam have learned to speak the Anufo language as well. They are closely related in language and culture to the Moba and the Konkomba. The Gangam are also considered to be a part of the Bimoba people, and many classify them as a sub-group of the Bimoba.

What Are Their Lives Like
The Gangam make their living by herding cattle or camels and through subsistence agriculture. The main farms are located in the bush, away from the villages. Crops grown there include millet, guinea corn, groundnuts, beans, peppers, and potatoes. Small farms are also located around the compounds where early millet, okra, and maize are grown. During the dry season, the bush is burned and wild guinea fowl, rabbits, and other game are hunted. Game is consumed by the family, sold in the market, or dried and smoked for later consumption or sale. Aside from cattle or camels, a family may own pigs, sheep, and goats. Pigs are raised primarily by the women and are used for social functions such as marriages, funerals, and initiation ceremonies. Cows are used mainly for sacrifice. Nuts and fruits are collected in the bush and are occasionally sold in the markets. Baskets, mats, and fans—all made from palm leaves—are among the crafts they produce. The area's main markets are in the larger towns and cities, and bring in traders from outside the region

The Gangam live in villages that are divided into compounds. Each compound houses a man, his wives, and children, or a man, his sons, and their wives and children. An average compound has about 12 rooms or huts that circle around a central interior courtyard and kitchen. Most huts are round with thatched roofs. Many compounds have one rectangular hut made of metal sheets where the eldest member in the family sleeps.

Gangam children go through a rite of initiation known as koont or "rebirth." For a three month period, they are taken away from the villages to live in huts specially constructed of mats. They are given new names to mark their entry into adulthood. The initiation promotes unity among the children and prepares them for their common life in the village where they will help each other socially, politically, and economically. Rites and dancing mark the end of the three months and the end of their childhood. Although it is still practiced, the koont is slowly losing its significance.

What Are Their Belief?
The majority of the Gangam follow their traditional ethnic beliefs and practices. They believe in a supreme god and creator who will judge and render punishment after death. Each family has its own shrine where it worships and sacrifices to the family gods. The worship of ancestral spirits is also very important in Gangam religion.

Soothsayers are believed to be able to tell a person why he or she is sick and offers advice regarding the sacrifice required to cure the sickness. They also identify the sacrifices needed to appease the spirits in times of poor harvest and other disasters.

What Are Their Needs?
The Gangam have no Christian resources available to them. Although four missions agencies are currently working among them, most have not had an opportunity to hear a clear presentation of the Gospel. Much evangelistic work and prayer are needed to help the Gangam know of a true Savior.

• Ask the Lord of the harvest to send forth laborers to work among the Gangam.
• Ask God to raise up prayer teams who will break up the soil through worship and intercession.
• Ask the Holy Spirit to grant wisdom and favor to the missions agencies that are targeting the Gangam.
• Pray that God will reveal Himself to the Gangam through dreams and visions.
• Pray that God will give the Gangam believers boldness to share Christ with their own people.
• Ask the Holy Spirit to complete the work begun in the hearts of the Gangam believers through adequate discipleship.
• Ask God to speed the completion of the Jesus film and other evangelistic materials into the Nyamngan language.
• Ask the Lord to bring forth a triumphant Gangam church for the glory of His name!

THE PEOPLE

• People name: Gangam
• Country: Togo
• Their language: Nyamngan
• Population: (1990) 32,500
  (1995) 38,100
  (2000) 44,300
• Largest religion: Ethnic religionist 98%
• Christian: 2%
• Church members: 761
• Scriptures in their own language: None
• Jesus Film in their own language: None
• Christian broadcasts in their own language: None
• Mission agencies working among this people: 4
• Persons who have heard the Gospel: 11,000 (29%) Those evangelized by local Christians: 3,000 (8%)
  Those evangelized from the outside: 8,000 (21%)
• Persons who have never heard the Gospel: 27,100 (71%)

• Country: Togo
• Population: (1990) 3,530,800
  (1995) 4,138,500
  (2000) 4,818,100
• Major peoples in size order: Ewe 23.2%
  Kabre 13.4%
  Wachi 10%
  Mina 5.6%
  Kotokoli 5.6%
• Major religions: Christian 46.2%
  Ethnic religionist 30.6%
  Muslim 22.5%
• Number of denominations: 21