A documentary about the King of Oussouye illustrates the role of tradition in Africaʼs peace maintenance

To attend the release, you must send a message to kasuumaay@gmail.com
To attend the release, you must send a message to kasuumaay@gmail.com
(25/03/2014)

Tradition does not constitute an obstacle to the development of African societies; on the contrary, it has several positive aspects. The scientific documentary Kásuumaay: an experience of peace in Casamance proves it. The film, created by members of the Study Group of African Societies (GESA) of UB, together with the International Catalan Institute for Peace, is released on Thursday 27 March, at Cinemes Méliès in Barcelona (102, Carrer Villarroel). It describes the crucial role that the King of Oussouye has played in peace maintenance in Casamance (Senegal), within the violence that has disrupted in the region for more than thirty years.

To attend the release, you must send a message to kasuumaay@gmail.com
To attend the release, you must send a message to kasuumaay@gmail.com
25/03/2014

Tradition does not constitute an obstacle to the development of African societies; on the contrary, it has several positive aspects. The scientific documentary Kásuumaay: an experience of peace in Casamance proves it. The film, created by members of the Study Group of African Societies (GESA) of UB, together with the International Catalan Institute for Peace, is released on Thursday 27 March, at Cinemes Méliès in Barcelona (102, Carrer Villarroel). It describes the crucial role that the King of Oussouye has played in peace maintenance in Casamance (Senegal), within the violence that has disrupted in the region for more than thirty years.

The documentary is the fruit of years of research in Casamance; it includes as many interviews as daily life scenes in the region. Considered the breadbasket of Senegal for its weather conditions and the most modern tourist infrastructures in the country, Casamance has been suffering a confrontation between the pro-independence Mouvement des Forces Democratiques de la Casamance (MFDC) and the Senegalese army for more than thirty years. However, there is a territory which for almost ten years has not produced any episode of violence: the Kingdom of Oussouye. The violence ceased immediately once Maan Sibilumbaye Diédhiou was enthroned in this territory. This figure is legitimate enough to act as a mediator between the Senegalese State and MFDC.

The documentary emphasizes that traditional character does not constitute an obstacle to modernization; on the contrary, traditional authorities can take a leading role to act as fully valid partners in kásuumaay —it means ʻpeaceʼ in the language of Jola people—processes, for a definitive resolution of the conflict in Casamance. Usually, this role of traditional authorities is not known, but there are other examples, for instance Rwandaʼs Gacaca courts. Directed by Xavier Puigserver, researcher from the Department of Cultural Anthropology and the History of America and Africa of UB, the documentary aims at supporting scientific community and providing tools and resources to understand better and disseminate the conflict in Casamance. The work has also been coordinated by Ferran Iniesta, director of GESA, and Jordi Tomàs, lecturer at the University of Lleida and member of the research group.
 
To attend the release, you must send a message to kasuumaay@gmail.com