FADA N’GOURMA: A regional workshop was held in Fada N’Gourma under the leadership of High Commissioner Silas Nacanabo to examine and validate surnames and toponyms in the Eastern region. This initiative aligns with a national effort to compile a comprehensive directory of these cultural identifiers as part of the country’s intangible heritage.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the workshop is a response to a directive issued in November 2023 by the Prime Minister, who tasked the Minister in charge of Culture to spearhead the initiative. This directive followed the Prime Minister’s policy statement to the Transitional Legislative Assembly. The workshop in Fada N’Gourma was organized by the regional directorate in charge of Eastern Culture and aimed to scrutinize 66 surnames and 31 toponyms for validation, with input from local resource persons, including notables and elders.
Talata Marcelline Kaboré, the regional director of Culture of the East, emphasized the workshop’s goal to ensure clarity and avo
id ambiguity in the validation process. The Minister of the King of Gulmu, Oyienbiga Oyenboiro, praised the government’s initiative, expressing that such efforts will help people understand their origins and identities. However, he also noted that the one-day workshop might not suffice for the comprehensive validation needed.
Mrs. Pobindo Couldiaty from Diapaga highlighted the educational value of the directory, noting her interest in learning about the origins of certain surnames. High Commissioner Silas Nacanabo concluded the session by inviting further contributions to enrich the collected data, hoping for productive discussions.