Oussouye : le ministre des Forces Armées apporte son soutien aux villages en plein Bukut (initiation Diola)
The ancestral spirit of the Bukut has once again permeated Casamance. In Djivente, Carounate, and Senghalene, the villages gathered for this initiation ceremony welcomed a delegation led by Habib Léon Ndiaye, Chief of Staff to the Minister of the Armed Forces. The Minister, deeply committed to the cultural and heritage values of the region, expressed his esteem and support for the traditional chiefs and organizers.
Émile Dieng, president of the Bukut organizing committee in Djivente, emphasized the importance of this historic moment: “We hadn’t held the Bukut since 1979, that’s 47 years. We’ve seen people come from everywhere to celebrate this ceremony.” For him, this popular turnout demonstrates the vitality of Diola culture and the communities’ attachment to their roots.
The ministerial delegation did not arrive empty-handed. It brought financial and logistical support to assist with the event's practical organization, which mobilizes thousands of people. Accommodation, catering, infrastructure: these are all expenses that the villages must bear to properly host the participants. Habib Léon Ndiaye emphasized the minister's desire to "demonstrate his fraternal support and consideration" for the traditional chiefs and the local population.
Religious and traditional leaders, in a show of appreciation, welcomed this gesture and expressed their gratitude. They see it as a strong sign of respect for Diola culture and for this intangible heritage that forms the basis of Casamance's identity. The Bukut, held every thirty to forty years, is much more than an initiation rite: it is a school of responsibility, solidarity, and collective consciousness.
In 2026, Oussouye established itself as a major center for cultural transmission. The initiates of Carounate entered the sacred grove just over two weeks ago, while those of Djivente and Senghalene returned to this traditional and cultural school on August 3rd. The youth there receive the torch of tradition, perpetuating the Diola heritage with the support of national institutions that have strengthened this connection between memory and the future.
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Commentaires (6)
Derrière les beaux discours de solidarité, c'est clairement l'argent et les moyens de l'État qui sont utilisés pour se mettre les chefs coutumiers dans la poche. En toute logique, cette aide logistique devrait être gérée par le ministère de l'Action sociale. Ce mélange des genres en dit long sur le problème de fond : au Sénégal, on n'hésite toujours pas à contourner le fonctionnement normal des institutions quand il s'agit de soigner son propre agenda politique.
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