Zoaga: The commune of Zoaga, located on the border between Burkina Faso and Ghana, vibrated this Friday, January 17, 2025 to the rhythm of Yongo, the customary festival of the canton. This event, a symbol of gathering and tradition, allowed the customary chief, His Majesty Naaba Tigr©, to implore the ancestors for social cohesion and the definitive return of peace, both in Zoaga and in the rest of Burkina Faso.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the Yongo brought together the sons and daughters of the Koussac© community, who came from various localities in Burkina Faso and the border commune of Zebila, in Ghana. The ceremony was punctuated by sacrifices, dances and offerings to the ancestors. These rites, imbued with spirituality, are intended to ensure agricultural prosperity, health and safety of the inhabitants of the canton.
The traditional chief, Naaba Tigr©, took the opportunity to pay tribute to his ancestors and ask them to watch over the well-being of the population. “With the action of our ancestors and the grace of God, our wishes for peace and social cohesion will come true,” he said.
Another wish dear to the daughters and sons of Zoaga is to see the road linking Zabr© to Zoaga, already paved, extended to the border with Ghana. Customary, religious and administrative authorities from neighbouring cantons, notably Zabr© and Zons©, took part in the event, thus demonstrating regional solidarity.
The president of the special delegation of Zoaga, Bernard Yameogo, present at the celebration, praised the success of this festival and requested the support of the chief to carry out the development missions assigned to the commune. The festivities were also enhanced by traditional musical performances by ensembles from Zebila. The rurga, the emblematic instrument of the Koussac©, gave rhythm to the dances and reinforced the festive atmosphere.
This edition of Yongo is of particular importance for Zoaga, a municipality marked by painful episodes of social conflict in March 2019, which caused the death of eight people, and a terrorist attack in January 2023. These events forced a large part of the population to flee. Today, the success of this festival is a testament to the gradual return of peace and social cohesion to Zoaga. The traditional chief and the people are hopeful that this surge of solidarity and unity will continue to build a better future.
As a reminder, Zoaga, a Burkinabe commune located on national road 29 on the Ghanaian border, remains a symbol of resilience and dialogue between communities.