Gnagna: The canton of Bogande, in the Gnagna, celebrated the Day of Customs and Traditions on Friday, May 15, 2026. The event was marked by a strong call for unity, social cohesion, and the protection of children, issued by His Majesty Yempaabou through his spokesperson Dahandi Lankoande. The gathering was attended by administrative, customary, religious authorities, and local populations.

According to Burkina Information Agency, His Majesty Yempaabou delivered a speech imbued with African wisdom and references to ancestral values, urging the sons and daughters of Gnagna to remain united in the face of security and social challenges. Emphasizing the strength found in unity, he reminded them that "the wind cannot break a forest that stands together."

The royal message highlighted the collective responsibility in preserving peace, urging the population to support the Defense and Security Forces while calling for increased vigilance in protecting children. Stressing that "children belong to everyone," the monarch warned of the dangers threatening young people.

Addressing social challenges, His Majesty announced upcoming discussions on practices such as forced marriages, stating that "a strong house cannot be built on tears." He further encouraged the mentoring of young people, whom he considered "the seed in which the forest grows."

The Secretary General of the Gnagna province, representing the High Commissioner, Mendien dit Moussa Soma, praised the traditional leadership's initiative. He advocated for strengthening efforts to promote peace and social cohesion in the province.

The ceremony was highlighted by the official exit of His Majesty, followed by traditional rituals, greetings, and tributes paid by the different components of society, in an atmosphere filled with songs and performances by griots.

Through this gathering, the traditional leadership of Bogande reaffirms its central role in consolidating community life and transmitting ancestral values in a context marked by security challenges.