“Ndiganiao’s Cultural Renaissance: Boosting Economic Development Through the Mbott Initiation Ritual”

The municipality of Ndiaganiao wants to make culture a lever to boost its economic development. It is in this sense that the holding of the 1st edition of “Mbott”, last Saturday, in the locality is in line. MBOUR – Cultural expression through performances of the “Mbott”, an initiation ritual for young people in the Serer environment occupied, last Saturday, the […]

The municipality of Ndiaganiao wants to make culture a lever to boost its economic development. It is in this sense that the holding of the 1^time edition of “Mbott”, last Saturday, in the locality.

MBOUR – Cultural expression through performances of “Mbott”, an initiation ritual for young people in the Serer environment occupied, last Saturday, the populations coming from the different villages of Ndiaganiao. It was on the occasion of the 1^time edition of the day dedicated to this centuries-old cultural practice which is held at regular intervals in different Serer villages. The town hall wants to rely on this artistic and cultural expression to boost the economic development of the town. This, by making it an attraction, a place of convergence of the sons of the land and beyond, national and foreign visitors. “The objective of the town hall is to make culture a territorial marketing tool for the municipality, to be able to organize regularly, at least once a year, this activity which could attract visitors, tourists, the world of culture. And this could have an impact on the economy,” said Dr Téning Sène, Mayor of Ndiaganiao.

Through cultural performances (songs, dances with or without masks, etc.) which highlighted the village troupes from the different hamlets of the town, the artists of the day spoke to the public about this Serer practice which takes place on the sidelines of initiation periods. Benefits for which the populations have moved massively, which the mayor welcomed and said he was proud of. She also expressed her wish that “this day be included in the agenda of the Ministry of Culture and Historical Heritage which, each year, would sponsor this activity. And I think it’s already off to a good start.”

A wish that found a favorable echo on the side of the Minister of Culture Aliou Sow who appreciated the show he attended. “What I saw in Ndiaganiao is proof of an excellent appropriation of President Macky Sall’s vision in terms of cultural policy, territorial equity, solidarity but above all, in terms of modernization and leadership of new type in Senegal. What we have seen here is the beginning of a cultural renaissance that allows all strata to revisit historical heritage, value it, celebrate it and share it,” said Aliou Sow. It is in this that lies, according to him, the solidity of the content of the “ndut” but also of the cultural values ​​of the “Mbott” which is in its first edition on the initiative of the mayor.

A House of Cinema and Audiovisual in Ndiaganiao

To support the worship initiatives of the town hall, “we are going to discuss the organization of the cultural and economic days of the Jegem on a date which will be fixed with the Municipal Council and the populations. And for these days, a partnership agreement worth 10 million FCfa will be signed between the Cultural Events Fund and the municipality of Ndiaganiao; this fund will be available as soon as possible”. Aliou Sow added that for the conservation of “Mbott” and to anticipate the next edition, a Heritage Support Fund of 5 million FCfa will be made available to the municipality to preserve this heritage. “We are going to launch what is called the House of Cinema and Audiovisual which can be a framework for the expression of heritage but also, for the preservation by image and sound of aspects of the heritage of the regions which can be disseminated , but also versed in territorial marketing products to develop decentralized cooperation and share more with all the other Senegalese what you have best, that is to say your cultural wealth”, he continued. It is in this sense that, he adds, an agreement of 40 million FCfa will be signed between the town hall of Ndiaganiao and the competent management.

Ousseynou POUYE (Correspondent)

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