Banwa: Following the death of the former land chief, Nicolas Coulibaly, the village of Solenzo appointed Dibissan Coulibaly as the new land chief during a traditional burial ceremony on Tuesday, October 15, 2024.
According to Burkina Information Agency, Nicolas Coulibaly, who served as the land chief for 10 years and was a guarantor of tradition, passed away on the evening of Saturday, October 12, 2024. His body was kept at his residence for three days as per the local Bwa tradition, which mandates that the deceased land chief’s body plays a role in selecting his successor. The ceremony took place in his courtyard, which was filled with community members and tents to accommodate the attendees.
The event saw the participation of local dignitaries, including Abdoul Kader Kongzabré, Secretary General of Banwa province. The rituals began at 4 p.m., involving men and women moving between the courtyard and the outside, accompanied by drum beats. A significant part of the ritual was the brandishing of an arrow, si
gnifying the shooting in the four cardinal points of Solenzo.
The climax of the ceremony involved the deceased’s body, which was believed to be animated by a supernatural force, selecting its successor from among the seated suitors. Dibissan Coulibaly, who is also head of the canton of Solenzo, was chosen three times consecutively, confirming his position as the new land chief. The body of Nicolas Coulibaly was then returned to the courtyard for burial.
The newly appointed land chief, Dibissan Coulibaly, expressed his commitment to maintaining unity, understanding, and collaboration with the local population and administration to ensure social cohesion in Solenzo.
Kouintani Sanou, the Provincial Director of Culture, Arts and Tourism of Banwa, emphasized the importance of adhering to tradition for conflict avoidance and community resilience. He highlighted the ancestral method’s ability to maintain peace and continuity within the leadership transitions.
