Ouagadougou: The Ou©draogo family, residing in sector No. 1 of Bouss©, proceeded on Saturday, April 19, 2025, to the renewal of the roof of the 'man's hut' of their late father, the late L©idy Prosp¨re Ou©draogo, former notable of the Kolonkom district, in an atmosphere marked by respect and contemplation.

According to Burkina Information Agency, this symbolic process, carrying memory and cultural heritage, is a family initiative called sugupili in the Moor© language, which means 'to cover the hut.' This is part of pure ancestral tradition. Michel Ou©draogo, the deceased's eldest son, explained that this ritual is not simply an act of renovation but a duty towards the ancestors, preserving the spiritual and therapeutic heritage bequeathed by their father, a renowned specialist in traditional medicine.

The ceremony, sober but imbued with solemnity, brought together children, relatives, friends, and members of the community, in a show of solidarity. The current patriarch of the family, Noraogo Ou©draogo, recalled that during his lifetime, L©idy Prosp¨re Ou©draogo carried out this renovation every three years. Since his death five years ago, the children have continued this cycle, respecting tradition and maintaining family cohesion.

The rites' officiant, Wendtar© Vincent Bagr©, emphasized the strong social value of sugupili. More than an act of construction, it is a symbol of mutual aid and community cohesion. "It allows each family member to recognize their place in the family tree and to reaffirm intergenerational ties. You can't build a house alone," he insisted, lamenting the gradual disappearance of these practices under the pressure of modernity.

Welcoming the Burkinabe government's efforts to promote heritage, Mr. Bagr© expressed his gratitude to President Ibrahim Traor© for the initiatives aimed at rehabilitating ancestral customs as part of Heritage Month. Through this symbolic reconstruction, the Ou©draogo family is taking a strong step, that of transmitting to younger generations the importance of memory, solidarity, and respect for cultural values.