NOUNA, APOSTOLIC VICARIATE OF. - In French West Africa, erected as an apostolic prefecture on 12 June 1947 with territory detached from that of Gao and entrusted to the Society of Missionaries of Africa (White Fathers). By decree of 18 Oct. 1951 there was a rectification of boundaries with the apostolic vicariate of Bobo-Dioulasso and the prefecture was elevated to an apostolic vicariate.
Its area exceeds 130,000 sq km, divided between the territory of Upper Volta and that of French Sudan. In the former is found the subdivision of N. (16,460 sq km) with 110,000 inhabitants belonging to the Bobo-Oule, Bobo-Fing, Marka, Mossi, Peulh. There are three mission stations, one of them at N. with 3,000 inhabitants. There is also found the Circle of Tougan (17,288 sq km), with about 145,000 inhabitants of the Samo, Marka, Mossi, Pana tribes. There are two mission stations. In the territory of French Sudan are found the Circle of San (14,975 sq km), with 160,000 inhabitants of the Bobo-Oule, Bambara, Minianka and Marka tribes, one mission station, and the Circles of Mopti and Bandiagara (67,300 sq km) with 450,000 inhabitants of the Peulh, Dogon, Bambara, Sonrai tribes; one mission station. To these territories in 1951 were added others with a population of about 126,000 inhabitants, with two mission stations.
The majority of the population is fetishist and only some regions are Islamized, especially in the Marka centers and villages. Muslims number about 345,723, Protestants about 2,000 divided among six or seven stations, Catholics 8,364 and catechumens 11,276. Pagans exceed 500,371. Secondary stations 176, chapels 5, dispensaries 3, elementary schools 4 with 539 pupils. The missionaries are all White Fathers, 21 in number, aided by 5 brothers and 11 sisters. The apostolate encounters difficulties not only because of the action of the Muslims, but also because of the amorality of the pagans.
Bibliography3 works
Saverio Paventi