Man:The Burkinabe government has called for a re-examination of the nation's history, focusing on the memory of those who resisted colonial conquest. This appeal was made in Man, during the commemoration of the 130th anniversary of the Battle of Kiidiga, a significant historical event where local populations faced the Voulet-Chanoine column in 1896.

According to Burkina Information Agency, the Minister of Culture, Pingdwend Gilbert Oudraogo, delivered a speech emphasizing the need to revisit national history. He advocated for a narrative based on the lived experiences and memories of the Burkinabe people, rather than accounts written by colonial powers.

The government views the commemoration as an opportunity to honor the memory of those who resisted colonial forces and to pass on their legacy to future generations. The resistance fighters, armed with traditional weapons, opposed troops equipped with advanced firearms. The Minister of Culture described Kiidiga as "the baptism of fire" for a people refusing domination, rather than a defeat.

The resistance was part of a broader refusal of colonial conquest, led by the Riungu of Boussouma under Dîma Naaba Koom, in alliance with Mogho Naaba Wbga of Ouagadougou. A recent mission conducted by the Ministry of Culture and various cultural entities identified 15 significant sites related to this resistance, which have been added to the national inventory of cultural heritage.

At the commemoration, a commemorative plaque was unveiled, symbolizing the commitment to preserving this part of national history. The Minister of Culture linked the historical resistance to current efforts by the Volunteers for the Defence of the Homeland (VDP) in maintaining Burkina Faso's sovereignty.

The government called on the youth to draw inspiration from their ancestors' courage and to protect the nation against threats. Gifts were exchanged during the ceremony, demonstrating support for the ongoing fight against terrorism.