Songhoy Language at Abibitumi Kasa

AbibitumiKasa Prospective and Current Student Questionnaire

Why Study Songhoy-Senni?

Here are many important reasons to study Songhoy-Senni. The first is its historical importance. Songhoy-Senni was the lingua franca of West Africa during the time of the Songhoy Empire.

Second, Songhoy-Senni is a borderless language; it is still spoken in many areas of African today.  In Mali, Niger, and Benin Songhoy-Zerma-Dendi communities share the same linguistic and cultural linguistic and spirituality. For example, the Hollay-Hooray  "Danse of the Possessed, is common to the SonghoyZerma of Mali Niger. In Benin, Haiti and New Orleans Moreover, Voodoo represents a cultural survival of the Songhoy- Zerma spiritual practice of Hollay-Hooray.

Third, Songhoy-Senni  speakers can recognize and understand African and Diaspora cultural connections. A key indicator of African cultural connectedness is Spirituality. In Songhoy-Senni "Bonkoyno" means chief of the village. "Bokonon" is the chief priest who leads the spiritual ceremonies in the Benin gulf area. The symbolism and the spiritual meaning of these words, like many others, illustrate the shared spirituality that exists in Songhoy culture and language.

Fourth, traditional Songhoy culture includes well ordered education and socialization experiences for women and men's lifelong development.  That is why Songhoy- Senni study can provide a comprehensive Rites of Passage process for boys  and girls.  For instance, the concept  of Alasaltaray in Songhoy-Senni refers to the process  through which one comes to know his or her origin as a  human
being in order to serve humanity. Classical Songhoy education and socialization may be summarized but is not limited to the following stages of human development:

                The House of Initiation:                      Dendenyanoo Hugoo
                The House of Elders:                           Arkusey Hugoo
                The House of Ancestors:                    Borojinawey Hugoo
                The House of Homecoming:              Alaadabey Hugoo    

Come and Learn Songhoy with Alfagaa (Master Teacher) Dr.  Hassimi Oumarou Maiga today and open your world to the world of you your past and your future. To the world of your Ancestors and Descendants. To the world of Songhoy-Senni.