Every 40 years of life, a new generation of “warriors” or “valid arms” is established in the Sèmè community, in Orodara, (Kénédougou province, Hauts-Bassins region). After 1986, the year 2024 marked the establishment of the new generation of the community. It is translated by a series of traditional-cultural activities marked by an initiation which lasts three lunar crescents. April 12, 2024 marked the end of this initiation and confirms the change in status of these young men called “Donoblih”. Their welcome within the community is the occasion for festive events supported by rituals and sacrifices. With around 600 members, this new cohort took as its baptismal name, “The Donoblih of Captain Ibrahim Traoré”, curiously like that of 1986 which was baptized, “The Donoblih of Captain Thomas Sankara”.
A stone’s throw from the palace of His Majesty Massa Traoré de Orodara, in sector 2, a furnished space visibly displays a festive appearance. On this morning of April 12, 2024, despite a threatening sky, the event area is already crowded with people. No one wants to be told about the official release of “Donoblih” in 2024, or the children of Do in Siamou.
“The Sèmè community evolves following a generational stage of 40 years. From birth, we are considered as Batchèm, that is to say men who are not mature and we must have undergone initiation into the Do in order to take the status of mature man, warrior of the community , a status confirmed by baptism with the initiate’s first name following a ritual dedicated to the zodiac signs”, revealed Sondé Coulibaly known as Yacouba of the blacksmith caste of which Klin is the initiate’s first name. Shortly before 11 a.m., the clamor suddenly rises and a local sound made of balafon, “krokoto” (a set of 3 small tamas made of terracotta) and flute accompanied by women’s songs announces the arrival of the “Donoblih”.
3 lunar crescents in the sacred wood
Wooden weapons and tails in hand, bracelets, amulets on the arms and biceps, bells girded at knee level, the “Donoblih” in black fiber masks, peppered with gris-gris, make a procession in step. dance of initiates. A centuries-old hierarchy holds the rank of this parade. Indeed, according to Foué Lassina Traoré, one of the sons of the chief of Orodara, the griots with masks with long beaks open the parade. They are followed by blacksmiths and nobles.
“In each category, the cadets are preceded by the elders and only the nephews can choose a privileged place in the rank,” explained Foué Lassina. “I was apprehensive before entering the sacred wood but today, this fear gives way to vitality, a pride in promoting and valuing our culture,” said Konon Ibrahim Traoré from now on.
Next to him, Kouélé Ousmane Traoré is delighted to have been able to accomplish this highly important act for his community and him. Like these two, there are around 600 young men from four villages (Orodara, Nialé, Salé and Vidara), aged 17 to 37, coming from all social categories according to Kin Sibiri Traoré, the commander of “Donoblih” 2024.
“During 3 lunar crescents, these young people stayed in the sacred wood in order to be initiated into the habits and customs of the Sèmè community. It is fundamentally about responding to the 3 major concerns: where do we come from? who are we ? and where are we going? », indicated Klin Sondé Coulibaly. “These brave boys were taught about citizenship, interpersonal skills, know-how and knowing how to live in the community and with other communities,” he added.
And this exit gives them the status of mature men, nourished by the sèmè sap, the faith of Klin Sondé. “They are the standard bearers, the warriors of the community and are able to defend it for the next 40 years,” he maintained. “It’s a new generation that is being established, the air is changing within the Sèmè community,” said Klin Sondé Coulibaly. A change which marks the renewal and continuity of ancestral values, according to Djougouèl Magloire Traoré, president of the organizing committee for the official release ceremony.
Prohibitions
“The initiation into the sacred wood defines and characterizes our people, it plays a major role and cannot be overlooked.”
For Massa Traoré, the chief of Orodara, initiation into the sacred wood has a capital importance in the community because it defines and characterizes the people, plays a major role and cannot be overlooked. “Without it, our community dies,” he said. This ancestral practice which has its origins in the founding of Orodara in the 1800s, he says, calls for the renewal of able-bodied hands, of thinkers and also for a revision of laws and rules put in place 4 decades ago. Also, so as not to leave some on the sidelines, a process is put in place, to listen to Klin Sondé Coulibaly. Indeed, according to him, a series of intermediate initiations called “Kinnin-kinni” were made in 2015, 2017 and 2021.
This will also be the case, he continued, in 2025, 2026 and 2027. This regulatory body of society, according to Foué Lassina Traoré, also issues prohibitions. In fact, girls and toddlers are not allowed to enter the sacred grove. They shave their heads when the “Donoblih” arrive. “It is for them an act of support, of affirmation of their belonging to the Sèmè community,” underlined Lassina Traoré.
In addition, the large family of blacksmiths of Grichin, the large family of the canton chief and the inhabitants of the Tchocô district do not go to the sacred wood, but receive their initiation at the house, added Klin Coulibaly. Also, it is not allowed for anyone to attend a third official release of “Donoblih”. Apart from supervisors, access to the sacred wood is prohibited to any person. However, only morello cherries are allowed to go there, so they bring them food and drink. The act of popular rejoicing organized on Friday April 12, 2024, when leaving the sacred grove is one of the visible facets of this ancestral activity.
Indeed, this return of the Do begins for 3 days the performance of rituals and sacrifices around certain altars across the city before the “Donoblih” return to their respective homes. It is also on this occasion that residents and the diaspora confide in the various altars for various requests. Throughout these 3 days, the morello cherries provide entertainment before the final bouquet on Sunday evening. And late in the night of this third day, out of sight, the “Donoblih” get rid of their masks by hanging them on the walls of the vestibules before returning to their homes where their parents, impatiently, wait for them to to express this family pride. A pride that contaminates the entire Sèmè community.
Two captains and heads of state
“Donoblih” have chosen to be in line with the directions of the Transition and to defend the values advocated by the Head of State.
Drawing the parallel and citing the magic of time, Klin Sondé Coulibaly underlined the fact that the children of the Do of 1986 and those of 2024 have the baptismal name of captains and heads of state.
These are respectively Thomas Sankara and Ibrahim Traoré. For the Minister of State, Minister of Communication, Culture, Arts and Tourism, Rimtalba Jean Emmanuel Ouédraogo, sponsor of the ceremony, this is a generation which has chosen to be in phase with the orientations of the Transition but also and above all to defend the values advocated by the Head of State.
Also, the minister in charge of culture reassured the government’s commitment to working to perpetuate this practice which is an immersion of young Sèmè people in ancestral sources, values and rules in order to serve their family, their community and their country. with pride and integrity. As for the Minister of State, Minister of Defense and Veterans Affairs, Kassoum Coulibaly, representing the Head of State, he specified that this initiation into the sacred wood, at the same time as it determines the Sèmè community, participates in the promotion of our culture.
“It is appropriate to welcome this commitment in favor of habits and customs, cardinal values of society and endogenous techniques for protecting the Sèmè community,” said the minister in charge of defense. While waiting for the “Kinnin-kinni”, the intermediate process of initiation, the appointment is made for the next “Donoblih” at the latest in 2064.
Rémi ZOERINGRE