KAYES, APOSTOLIC PREFECTURE OF. — In French West Africa, erected on 12 June 1947 with territory detached Bamako (v.) and entrusted to the Society of Missionaries of Africa. It comprises the civil districts of K., Kita, Bafoulabè, Nioro, Nara, Néma, inhabited by indigenous populations belonging to the following tribes: Malinke, Kasonke, Marca, Bambara, and "Touscouleurs." The Mande and Fulani dialects are spoken there.
The climate is torrid. The area is approximately 400,000 sq. km., with a population of about 700,000, of whom 1,777 are indigenous Catholics, 325 foreigners, 113 of mixed race, and 164 catechumens. Muslims number about 500,000 and animist pagans about 200,000; both groups are strongly attached to their own religious practices. The missionaries (1949) number 8 priests, 2 brothers, and 6 sisters. There are 8 major seminarians studying in the seminaries of the nearby Apostolic Vicariate of Bamako. Catechists number 18. There are 3 quasi-parishes, 11 "condarrie" stations, 20 churches and chapels, 2 dispensaries, 1 orphanage with 192 girls, and 3 elementary schools with 342 pupils. Catholic Action is developing.