Burkina Faso is also a country of culture, and because of the diversity of ethnic groups, they observe many cultural practices. One of the most important and widespread customs in Burkina Faso is Rakiire (cross-ethnic joking).
There is a thousand-year-old cultural tradition practiced in Burkina Faso called Rakiire, or joking, which helps to increase Burkinabe cohesion. They practice two kinds of Rakiire. They use the first among members of the same family, such as between grandmother and grandson.
The second type is cross-ethnic joking and is used by two or more ethnic groups to make an agreement that includes mutual support and non-aggression. Ra
kiire usually involves the use of some harsh words, often insults, but they do it in a way to increase tolerance of others and teach non-aggression.
It expresses membership in a community humorously. It often fosters friendships and fraternity among different people and teaches social groups how to live together peacefully. Rakirre can also actually diffuse conflicts; it never leads to fighting. In fact, it allows people to have fun!
Those involved in the conversation enjoy laughs, shake hands and, exchange a greeting that is warm, playful, and extend the exchange to openly recognize another person’s family, another societal tradition in Burkina Faso. This dynamic practice has some accepted rules, however, especially as it relates to insulting family members.
For example, if you use Rakiire to insult someone’s parents, you can only direct it towards the father. You cannot insult the mother because she is probably from another ethnic group. Christians who practice Rakiire use kinder words and exchange only funny jokes with each other.
Regardless, it is a way of encouraging harmony. Rakiire within a big family develops as marital relations are formed and they bring children into the world. Rakiire insults never lead to a brawl. When a person starts “insulting” the parents of someone else, he can only insult
the father.
The mother is not insulted because she is from another ethnic group. The purpose of these jokes “insults” is to allow people to have fun and remember the pact of nonaggression and help that exists between their ethnic groups. In his book Alliances and Cross-ethnic Joking in Burkina Faso, Alain Joseph speaks about the role Rakiire plays with those who practice it.
Both children and adults learn how to have a culture of tolerance and accept others just as they are. Thus, various social groups learn how to live together. Rakiire is practiced most often in rural environments. In the modern society of Burkina Faso, Rakiire is known only very superficially.
It is very often seen like folklore, a means to let off steam and get away with it. Few people in big cities fully practice Rakiire. Rakiire is also found among Christians. Just as in society they see it as the cement of fraternity and friendship between people.
Obviously, Christians in the church do not allow themselves to be as virulent when exchanging opinions. They are more kind and exchange only decent, but funny jokes.
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