Tenkodogo: The royal court of Tenkodogo hosted, on Saturday evening, the first edition of the 'Night of Tales', a cultural initiative led by Boulgou-infosplus and placed under the high patronage of the governor of the Nakambe region, Comrade Yiye Abraham Somdo, as well as under the blessing of His Majesty Naaba Guiguempole, Dima of Zoungrantenga, King of Tenkodogo. Through this activity dedicated to oral transmission, the organizers intend to promote African values, social cohesion and the education of younger generations through storytelling.
According to Burkina Information Agency, placed under the theme: "The night of tales, when ancestral speech transmits values from generation to generation", this cultural evening brought together administrative authorities, customary people, artists, storytellers and populations around the safeguarding of African oral heritage. The ceremony took place within the grounds of the royal court of Tenkodogo, a symbol of the history and cultural identity of the Mossi and Bissa peoples.
Through this initiative, promoter Seni Minoungou wanted to put African tales back at the center of social and moral education. On behalf of the King of Tenkodogo, San-Naaba Sigri welcomed this initiative, recalling that storytelling remains an important channel for transmitting traditional values and the history of communities. Representing the governor of the Nakambe region, the secretary general of the Boulgou province, Lalle Siaka Yao, congratulated the organizers for this cultural initiative and reaffirmed the support of the administrative authorities for actions to promote cultural heritage.
The various speakers praised the King of Tenkodogo's commitment to preserving traditions and promoting social cohesion. In an atmosphere filled with traditional sounds and tales of yesteryear, storytellers captivated the audience with stories inspired by African realities.
According to the initiative's sponsor, Bourbila Pierre Silga, Regional Director of Preschool, Primary, and Non-Formal Education for Nakambe, storytelling is a school of life. It allows children to learn values such as respect for elders, solidarity, courage, wisdom, and living together in harmony. The artistic performances also highlighted African cultural heritage through educational stories, songs and animations focused on peace and social cohesion.
The organizer of the Tenkodogo Storytelling Night, radio host Seni Minoungou, expressed his delight at the turnout of local residents and cultural figures. He felt that the objectives of this first edition had been achieved thanks to the participation of storytellers, traditional authorities, and the public.
'Storytelling contributes to the education of children and even adults. We want to make this activity a permanent platform for transmitting cultural values,' he stated, before expressing his hope that the initiative would be extended to other municipalities in the Nakambe region.
Among the guests was Adama Zoungrana, a presenter on Horizon FM Ouagadougou, who came with a troupe of storytellers. Through their performances, the artists explored themes of solidarity between neighbors, the relationship between rich and poor, and the human values that foster social cohesion. The organizer also invited the journalists present to contribute to promoting African folktales through modern media.
According to him, in the digital age, traditional stories can be disseminated on social media, television, or even through comic books in order to reach more young people. This first edition of the Night of Tales ended in an atmosphere of cultural communion, suggesting the sustainability of a framework for promoting Burkinabe oral heritage.