Burkina Faso: 50 students from the Wassongdo Saint-Matzig School Complex Learn About Traditional Moaga Values

The first edition of “Riima Baong Yaanbo,” an initiative dedicated to passing on traditional Moaga values to younger generations, concluded on Friday, June 26, 2026, in Ouagadougou. Over the course of two weeks, 50 students from the Wassongdo Saint-Matzig school complex were introduced to the rules of conduct, customary practices, and values of respect that form the foundation of the Moaga tradition.

The closing ceremony for the first edition of “Riima Baong Yaanbo,” an initiative aimed at introducing children to traditional Moaga values, was held on Friday, June 26, 2026, in Ouagadougou. From June 12 to 26, 2026, 50 students from the Wassongdo Saint Matzig school complex took part in this first edition, during which they were introduced to the values of the Moaga tradition.
The theme chosen for this edition was: “Patriotic Immersion in the Rules of the Moaga Tradition.”
The closing ceremony was attended by several traditional chiefs, who came to encourage the young people to preserve the values they had learned.

On this occasion, the students demonstrated the knowledge and teachings acquired during the training through traditional greetings addressed to the customary chiefs and various performances.

According to the organizer of the event, Bazoul Tansob Kombi Naaba, the goal was to enable the children to reconnect with traditional Moaga values so that they could learn, among other things, respect for the elderly as well as the foundations of certain practices and values of Moaga custom.
“When Riima Baongo ascended to the throne about thirty years ago, he advocated for education. But people didn’t understand what he was talking about, because he wasn’t referring to formal schooling, where one studies to earn diplomas such as the CEP, the BEPC, the baccalaureate, and other credentials. He was talking about the proper conduct that young people should adopt. “I believe that now, people have understood clearly,” explained the organizer of the event, Bazoul Tansob Kombi Naaba.
For him, this “moaga” education for young people will enable them to acquire values such as respect for elders and living in harmony with others.

“We taught the children how to greet someone and how to welcome strangers. After that, we showed them how they should address a crowned chief,” he added.
Present at the ceremony, Sandog San Naaba Laguemzelma commended the organizers for their efforts in support of children’s education.
He also expressed his hope that this initiative would be sustained in order to make a lasting contribution to quality education for the youngest children.

The Minister of Basic Education was represented by Joseph Sawadogo, a special advisor. “Let’s just say this is a wonderful initiative, a wonderful opportunity that the ministry fully appreciates. Because we witnessed a magnificent display. A large majority of traditional chiefs were present; they truly brought joy to the entire population, performing demonstrations and showcasing the various rituals that exist within Moaga society,” he said with delight.
On behalf of the minister, he commended the organizers of this first edition of “Riima Baong Yaanbo,” emphasizing that it is part of the Artistic and Cultural Month (MAC), held from June 15 to July 15.

Source: lefaso.net/