Like other localities in Burkina Faso, followers of the traditional religion of the town Gaoua celebrated, on Wednesday May 15, 2024, the first edition of the day of customs and traditions.

It’s 7:30 am in the sacred groves in Tielkan, a district of the town of Gaoua. Followers of traditional religion storm the ritual sites to mark with a white stone the first edition of the day of customs and traditions. Sitting on tree trunks, chickens in hand, everyone waits for the first offering which will open the beginning of the offerings to tingaane (fetish). Further, dishes with millet or corn flour placed on the ground. These flours will be used later for cooking. Then comes the moment of the first offering. A first rooster is slain. He struggles and ends up on his back a few minutes later. he is recovered for tingaane. When a slaughtered chicken falls on its back, it means that Tingaane has accepted the offering. The priests carry out the immolations under the gaze of the traditionalists. According to the Land C
hief of Tielkan, Kpèlèté Hien, this ritual makes it possible to invoke the manes of the ancestors in order to implore a season of abundant rain before starting work in the fields. For him, this day is welcome because it coincides with the time of year when people ask for abundant rainfall. ‘We thank the Tigaane so that the ancestors grant our dearest wishes and that the agricultural campaign goes well,’ he said. Also, he said he implored the people so that social cohesion, living together, especially peace and security reign in Burkina Faso. ‘We have returned to the source to bounce back, the ancestors will do the rest,’ underlined Kpèlèté Hien, before thanking the authorities for devoting the day of May 15 to customs and traditions. ‘We say thank you to the president of the transition, he is one of us. It’s customary,’ added the land chief. Another setting, same observation. In the Gaane district located in sector 3 of Gaoua, the land chief, Sié Da repeated the same ritual. Sié Da sacrificed three roosters o
f white, red and black colors and other offerings followed to the tigaane in this district. For the occasion, the Chief of the land gave the meaning of the immolation of the three roosters. ‘I first slaughtered a white rooster in the name of all the inhabitants so that the ancestors would make there be peace and they accepted,’ he said. Then Sié Da said he had slaughtered a red and black rooster so that Captain Ibrahim Traoré who dedicated this day to the traditionalists would be protected and kept safe and sound as well as the Defense and Security Forces (FDS) and Volunteers for Defense and Safety. homeland (VDP) engaged at the front. Given the enthusiasm and mobilization of followers of traditional religion, the two land chiefs declared themselves satisfied. On the menu for the first edition of the day of customs and traditions, fundraising to support the peace effort, a public conference on the contribution of customs and traditions to security and social cohesion, and visits to sacred places are planned.

Source: Burkina Information Agency