Humeubeul 2026: Habib Léon Ndiaye invites youth to make cultural heritage a lever of sovereignty

During the reception of the official state delegation by the King of Oussouye at Humeubeul 2026, Habib Léon Ndiaye, Chief of Staff to the Minister of the Armed Forces, made a passionate appeal to the youth. The son of Kassa urged the younger generations to preserve the cultural and spiritual values that underpin the kingdom's identity, asserting that a people's sovereignty begins with the affirmation of its culture.

The kingdom of Oussouye experienced one of the most significant moments in its traditional calendar with the celebration of Humeubeul, an emblematic festival which mobilizes the people of Kassa, the administrative authorities as well as the many visitors who come to discover the richness of the local cultural heritage every year.

Among the prominent figures who took part in this event was Habib Léon Ndiaye, Chief of Staff to the Minister of the Armed Forces. Present alongside the official delegation led by the Prefect of Oussouye and received by His Majesty the King of Oussouye, he explained that his participation went far beyond the scope of his administrative responsibilities.

“I am a native of this region. I grew up here and completed my humanities education here. Culturally and sociologically, I feel obligated to be present at an event of this magnitude,” he said.

For him, Humeubeul is much more than a simple festive gathering. It represents a moment of communion, spirituality, and the transmission of values inherited from his ancestors. A reality that imposes upon him, in his own words, a duty of gratitude towards this land that contributed to his development and his journey.

Speaking in his capacity as a representative of the Ministry of the Armed Forces, Habib Léon Ndiaye reiterated that the official statement from the State had been delivered by the prefect, the government's territorial representative in the department. He did, however, reveal that he had conveyed a specific message from the Minister of the Armed Forces to the ruler of Oussouye.

This message was above all a testament of respect and consideration for the king for the essential role he plays in preserving social cohesion, maintaining community balances and promoting the values that underpin the identity of Kassa.

But it was above all his address to the youth that captured attention. Faced with the evolution of an event that now shines far beyond the borders of the department, Habib Léon Ndiaye stressed the need to preserve the very essence of Humeubeul.

According to him, young people must be the primary defenders of this centuries-old cultural heritage. They have a responsibility to ensure that the original spirit of this event is neither distorted nor altered by behaviors incompatible with its spiritual and traditional foundations.

"The role of youth is first and foremost a role of preservation, but also a role of protection. We must not let our actions or practices deviate from the spirit of Humeubeul," he warned.

In a context where the question of sovereignty occupies a central place in the national debate, the Chief of Staff to the Minister of the Armed Forces established a direct link between cultural identity and the independence of peoples. He argued that true sovereignty begins with self-knowledge, the appropriation of one's history, and the appreciation of one's heritage.

"The first step towards sovereignty is to affirm our identity, to embrace our values and to have a strong belief in our culture," he stated to an attentive audience.

With this appeal, Habib Léon Ndiaye reaffirmed the importance of Humeubeul as a space for intergenerational transmission and as a living symbol of the collective memory of the Kingdom of Oussouye. He urged young people to protect this heritage so that future generations can continue to draw upon this cultural wealth for the foundations of their identity and their future.