Ouagadougou: The ceremony marking the transition to the year 6262 of the Kamit calendar took place on July 19 at Joseph Ki-Zerbo University. This 10th edition, organized by the Two Hours for Kamita initiative, focused on the theme: “Federal State, Political and Ideological Unity in the AES Confederal Space: Challenges and Perspectives.”
According to Burkina Information Agency, the event gathered intellectuals, young pan-African activists, and representatives of the Burkinabe state, as Kamit leader Bayala Lianhou© Imhotep emphasized the significance of the African calendar. He described the Kamit New Year not merely as a change of date but as an act of remembrance, resistance, and affirmation of cultural sovereignty.
The 6,262-year-old calendar, noted for its structured seasons and ten-day week, underscores the antiquity of African civilizations in human history. The celebration was held under the patronage of Burkinabe Prime Minister Jean Emmanuel Ou©draogo, represented by Minister Mathias Traor©.
In his address, the Prime Minister lauded the peoples of the Sahel as defenders of concrete sovereignty through the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). He urged young Africans to look to this confederal momentum for inspiration in developing a governance model rooted in the continent’s historical and socio-cultural realities.
The Prime Minister also highlighted the Kamit calendar’s origin in 4236 BC, calling it the most intelligent in human history, and encouraged Africans to reconnect with their ancestral roots to assert their role in a multipolar world.
The ceremony’s guests of honor, including Minister of Secondary Education Dr. Boubakar Savadogo and Living Human Treasure Titiana Kay©, commended the Two Hours for Kamita initiative for its dedication to African cultural heritage.
From July 14-19, panels, conferences, and workshops addressed issues of sovereignty, endogenous development, regional integration, and historical memory. The event received support from various ministries, institutional partners, and media.
Organizers hope the Kamit New Year celebration will become a permanent fixture on Burkina Faso’s cultural agenda, serving as a touchstone of identity for African peoples in their quest for emancipation.