The climate of the country is generally dry, and the soil, infertile. Converging to the south in Ghana, these three rivers form the Volta River. In the southwestern part of the country are sandstone plateaus bordered by the 500 foot Banfora Escarpment. Most of the Jaan are farmers who grow crops such as millet, guinea corn, beans, and rice. During the rainy season, both men and women supplement the crops by fishing in the streams and rivers.
Younger women gather shea nuts for the oil and collect other items from the forest.
The older women cut elephant grass and use it to make mats and baskets. Other crafts include making rope, crafting bows and arrows, working with leather, and producing pottery. Nearly every village has a small market in which items such as matches, soap, salt, livestock, fish, fruit, and bows and arrows are available. In the larger markets, merchants come from outside the area, bringing bread, sugar, medicines, and second-hand clothing. Jaan marriages today are seldom arranged.