KAYES, APOSTOLIC PREFECTURE of. - In French West Africa, erected on 12 June 1947 with territory detached Bamako (v.) and entrusted to the Society of the Missionaries of Africa. It comprises the civil districts of K., Kita, Bafoulabè, Nioro, Nara, Néma, inhabited by an indigenous population belonging to the following tribes: Malinchi, Kasonchi, Marca, Bambara, and “Touscouleurs.” The Mande and Peul dialects are spoken there.
The climate is torrid. Its area is about 1,000,000 sq. km., with a population of about 700,000 persons, 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 are very attached to their own cults. The missionaries (1949) number 8, with 2 brothers and 6 sisters. There are 8 major seminarians studying in the seminaries of the neighboring apostolic vicariate of Bamako. Catechists, 18. Quasi-parishes, 3; secondary stations, 11; churches and chapels, 20; dispensaries, 2; orphanages, 1, with 192 girls; elementary schools, 3, with 342 pupils. Catholic Action is developing.