Nahouri: The Batinan and D©dui families in the commune of Ti©b©l© organized the first edition of their family reunions on April 18, 19, and 20, 2025, aiming to strengthen cohesion and solidarity among family members and neighbors, raise awareness among children about their origins, and transmit the Kassena cultural values.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the reunion included various activities such as a courtesy visit to administrative authorities and neighboring families, a community family meal, and an introduction to the preparation of local dishes. The 72-hour event was further enriched by storytelling sessions in Kassena with grandmothers, a djongo night, and visits to tourist sites in the city of a thousand hills.
Roger Batinan, the elder of the family, highlighted that the "Batinan-bia"-descendants of Batinan and D©dui-utilized this opportunity to promote family cohesion and solidarity. He stated that the purpose was to make children aware of their origins and transmit Kassena cultural values. The slogan for the event was "For Easter 2025, everyone to the village with women and children."
Roger Batinan expressed concern that many children in the family did not know each other or their cultural roots. He emphasized the importance of the reunion as a platform for cousins to connect, share values, and strengthen family ties. On the day of the celebration, family members also prayed for peace in Burkina Faso and for the country's fighting forces.
During the reunion, children visited the royal court of Ti©b©l©, where they met the Living Human Treasure, old Kayi©. Fourteen-year-old Ted Brayan Baniyamon Batinan expressed his delight in learning about his culture and meeting relatives for the first time. Similarly, 24-year-old Prisca Adjoub¨ D©dui appreciated the human warmth experienced during the event, describing it as an extraordinary immersion in Kassena cultural values.
Anassong D©dui, 58, residing in Ti©b©l©, mentioned that this was the first occasion for all family members to gather in Ti©b©l© and expressed hope that such activities would continue to allow children to learn about Kassena culture. Aim© Gu©, president of the special delegation of the commune of Ti©b©l©, praised the initiative and hoped that other families would follow suit, especially during the Burkinabe heritage month when citizens are encouraged to discover and celebrate their common heritage.