Narration, imitation and the secret of making even the most melancholy smile, had no more secrets for El Hadj Rasmané Compaoré known as Rasmane Bassam (77 years old), the famous comedian and radio host, who died on Thursday.

Late Rasmane Bassam and his partner Late Rasmane Kuwait (deceased in 2016), animated for twenty years on the private radio Savane FM, the humorous program “Yiim Yiré” or “Forget your worries” in the national language Mooré.

But the career of Hadji Bassam began long before on national radio and private radio Salankoloto.

In 2019, he celebrated the 30th anniversary of his life as a storyteller and comedian.

A master of narration, imitating several linguistic groups to perfection, reproducing animal cries and other noises to the limit of plausibility, Rasmane Bassam knew how to hold the attention and certainly provoked giggles among his listeners, even those who barely understood the Moore language.

His stories taken from everyday life, touched all sensitivities with the exception of politics and always ended with moral lessons very well appreciated by the public.

Saturday afternoon and Monday night, markets, yaars, craft workshops, shopping streets and even health centers resounded with his voice and that of his partner Rasmane Kuwait, very subtle in reminders and intonations .

The popularization of mobile phones and other technologies have allowed his tales, legends, facts and other stories to reach all of Burkina Faso and beyond the borders.

The works of Rasmane Bassam (who lived for a few years in Bassam in Côte d’Ivoire) have inspired artists, students and writers.

The news site burkina24 recalls that he and his manager Lamine Kompaoré brought out in 2013, volume I of “Modern Tales and Funny Stories of the Mogho”, listing 70 of his stories.

The same year, he was made a knight of the Order of Merit at the presidential palace of Kossyam, for services rendered to the Nation, “with the support of the Mogho Naaba Baongo”, adds burkina24, in an article dated February 2018 .

The artist-musician Yoni has produced a cartoon, largely inspired by his tales. On Youtube, several channels have managed to immortalize some of his stories.

The man who has spent his whole life making his neighbor laugh will be buried on the afternoon of Thursday August 24, 2023 in Ouagadougou.

El Hadj Rasmane Bassam leaves behind wives, children, loved ones and saddened listeners.

Source: Burkina Information Agency