The 21st edition of the National Culture Week (SNC) opens on Saturday April 27, 2024, in the town of Sia. A few days before the event, the artists are busy making the final adjustments for honorable performances. The Lafi la Bumbu troupe from Kaya, including PDI girls, says it is ready and can't wait to bring home the trophy in the young hen dance category from its first participation.Created in 2018, the Lafi la Bumbu troupe (health is wealth in Moré national language) from sector 5 of Kaya will participate for the first time in the competitions of the national culture week (SNC) scheduled to be held from April 27 to March 4, 2024 in Bobo-Dioulasso.It is made up of a dozen girls aged 7 to 15, all from internally displaced families.Participating for the first time in a major competition, the troupe reached the stage of the regional culture week in the young hen dance category in Wedbindé (traditional Sanmatenga dance).The Lafi la Bumbu troupe, according to its coordinator, was not created to compete.' It is with regard to the motivation of the children that we tried our hand at the competitions of the Regional Culture Week (SNC)' maintains Ousmane Sawadogo who believes that this qualification gives them energy to face the big troupes of the SNC.The first attempt was therefore a masterstroke. 'We don't intend to stop there. » he specifies.It is at the president's home that the Lafi la Bumbu troupe does its rehearsals under the technical supervision of Yaya Sanfo from the Tarwend Panga troupe of the famous Habibou Sawadogo.Despite the narrowness of the space and the poles of the shed which constitute obstacles, the girls happily devote themselves to rehearsal sessions every evening after class.Pascaline Sawadogo, leader of the troupe and her comrades say they are ready for the Bobo-Dioulasso competition.'We are ready for Bobo and we intend to bring back the trophy. » confides the little girl from the CE1 class to us.'In three months of supervision, the troop gives hope. There is a clear improveme nt. We will go to Bobo without fear. » reassures Yaya Sanfo who came to lend a helping hand to this young troop.According to him, there are still some adjustments to make before leaving for Bobo-Dioulasso.'We will do one last rehearsal at the Kaya multipurpose room in order to perfect the production. »Speaking of the material difficulties, the supervisor maintains that thanks to the determination of the president of the troop who really invests, the minimum is ensured to have a presentable troop.The Laafi la Bumbu troupe is an initiative of Lady Tipoko Rasmata, a healer living in the undeveloped area of sector 5 of Kaya.'The children are interned with me for care; that's when I realized that fun activities would still do them good. I began to introduce them to stories, dance, theater and song. » tells us the president of the troupe.According to her, her children, traumatized by the terrorist attacks, were depressed.'The troop does us good. My sleep was interspersed with nightmares. I feel better here,' explains Pascaline Sawadogo, who hopes to become a great artist in the future. Despite the difficulties she experiences feeding them, the healer says she is not discouraged.Source: Burkina Information Agency