Bam: The Naaba Koanga, Dima of Rissiam, celebrated the 'Ba ra r?gma' ceremony on Saturday at his royal palace of Zandkoom. This ritual authorizes the consumption of new harvests, including corn, fresh okra, and eggplants.

According to Burkina Information Agency, the 'Ba ra r?gma' is a customary ceremony where the corn from the first harvests is offered to the ancestors by the Dima, under the ritual act of the Boussoum Naaba, the principal sacrificer of the kingdom's rites.

Naaba Koanga explained, "The Ba ra r?gma is the ritual that allows and authorizes the Rissiam to consume the new harvests, including corn, but also fresh okra and eggplants." He emphasized the importance of rites and sacrifices over the festivities surrounding the ceremony, stating, "As long as the rites have not been performed, there is no question of celebrating."

The event was attended by numerous dignitaries, including Naba Sigri, chief of the canton of Sapon. He stated, "I am the guardian of the tomb of our ancestor, Naba Kouda. My presence here today is to support my elder brother in this custom, this tradition that we celebrate, called the 'Ba ra r?gma'."

Alongside the ceremony, a conference gathered dignitaries and residents of Rissiam to discuss the theme: "Without providing the necessary offerings for the chief of Boussouma to perform the rites, there can be no sacrifice in Boussouma. And without a sacrifice in Boussouma, there can be no celebration of traditional royal festivals in Rissiam."

The discussions were led by the Konyonkloaga Naaba and the Sonkolgo Naaba of Sapone, moderated by the Kogh Naaba, emphasizing the significance of the rites linked to Boussouma in organizing Rissiam's customary royal celebrations.

The ceremony concluded with popular celebrations, marking the successful completion of the 'Ba ra r?gma'.