"Traditions." Manéga by F_Meignant

Manéga Travel Guide: 4 reviews and 14 photos

Manéga is the village where was born Titinga Pacéré, a writer from Burkina, international lawyer and former President of the International Court for Rwanda.

A strange village that has entirely been changed into a kind of cultural centre: an open-air museum of big modern statues and monuments and an impressive museum of traditional masks and tombstones.
Surprising atmosphere.

Local dance.

Unexpected events are always funny.
When we arrived at Manéga coming from Kaya in our rotten car and wanted to buy tickets for the museum and fix an appointment with the King, we were told that it would be better to wait around one hour: they were waiting for a group from the BCEAO (Banque Centrale des Etats de l’Afrique de l’Ouest).
Finally, we made the visit with this group… and were invited to have lunch with them and participate to their party.

African castanets.

Local dancers and musicians were foreseen.
Nice African or local music... and even rock and roll... with this kind of castanets.
We had a lot of fun and of millet beer again!
I was just recovering from Ouroubono!

Pros and Cons

Pros:The museum of tombstones and masks!
Cons:Statues are sometimes ugly... A matter of taste. LOL!
In a nutshell:Learning about local traditions.

Last visit to Manéga: Feb 2003
Intro Updated Mar 9, 2004
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Reviews (4)

The dead Naba. Local Customs (4)

The throne of the dead Naba. When the King dies, his corpse is placed on this throne and all the inhabitants meet for a... more travel advice

The Signs of the Mouse. Local Customs (4)

This one is a kind of obelisk covered with mosaic. The signs are called “les Signes de la Souris” (the Signs of the... more travel advice

The Tinga-Naba. Local Customs (4)

This statue made of iron tubes is 15 metres high. It represents the “Chef des Terres” (Head of the Lands), the... more travel advice

The Naba. Local Customs (4)

According to the tradition, when you arrive in a village, you first have to salute the Chief and ask him the... more travel advice

Travelogues (1)

Written Mar 9, 2004

7 photos

Tombstones and masks.

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Comments (8)

CatherinefromOttawa Jul 4, 2011 at 10:31 AM Report Abuse

I am reading all your pages about Mali and Bourkina Fasso because your observations are so wonderful! Thank you so much! As for me, I worked in Southern African villages in the 80s and can hardly wait to go to Mali and BF .
Paul4Travel Dec 31, 2005 at 8:55 AM Report Abuse

Excellent custom. I think it is a terrific way to say goodbye to a king by having a feast with him present. Shows great respect and is the antithesis of morbid.
grishaV1 Jan 21, 2005 at 12:13 PM Report Abuse

really liked reading about this areaäs local customs, i had no idea but it was very interesting. thanks for sharing :-)))) grisha
urban4est Nov 19, 2004 at 10:43 AM Report Abuse

Now that's the way I'd like to go. A final party with all my family, friends and lovers, great. How do I apply to be king?
XenoHumph Jul 1, 2004 at 12:22 PM Report Abuse

Encore une superbe page!
vivalasteph Apr 16, 2004 at 9:04 AM Report Abuse

Fascinating.
Ivan_Jimenez Mar 28, 2004 at 7:53 AM Report Abuse

Roi: Et chez vous? Tout va bien? Les affaires? La famille? F_Meignant: Bien... tout va bien Sa Majeste... business as usual.
cadzand Mar 9, 2004 at 12:47 PM Report Abuse

Thanks for the wonderful tips about behaviour and habits. Very useful information.