The Poni development forum organized on August 16 and 17, 2024 in Gaoua a national conference on the identification of the surnames lobi and birifor under the theme ‘Knowing and understanding the surnames lobi and birifor, a imperative to promote cultures in Lobi country.’
With a view to developing a directory of lobi and birifor surnames for the Ministry of Communication, Culture, Arts and Tourism, the Poni development forum organized a conference which brought together participants from localities where live Lobi and Birifor, as well as Ivorian Lobi brothers and sisters, who have come to make their contribution.
During these two days, six communications focused on knowledge of the origin, originality and meaning of the surnames lobi and birifor of Burkina Faso.
The participants discussed the meaning of certain lobi and birifor surnames, taking into account their complexity and their context of attribution.
They also reflected on these surnames with the aim of identifying them and making them their own.
According to the president of the organizing committee, Daniel Da Hien, this conference aims to highlight surnames in the Lobi country, which have long remained in the shadows, as well as to promote their appropriation, because they are fundamental for the preservation and the conservation of the culture and identity of this people.
‘Bringing the Lobi and Birifor communities together is very important because it’s the same history, it’s the same origin,’ he said.
At the end of this conference, a consensual document will be validated, which, he hopes, will serve as a reference for students and children, allowing them to know the origins of their surnames with precision.
The results of the work will be submitted, subject to certain complements and formalities, to the governor of the South-West region, Boureima Savadogo, for amendment.
El Hadj Ibrahim Da, tax inspector in Gaoua and participant in the conference, declared himself satisfied at the end of the work.
‘The initiators have done useful work. Many w
ere surprised by the richness of this directory which includes both surnames and surnames. This work was enriching, the debates were lively and I remain hopeful for this project,’ he confided.
Although certain aspects remain to be further enriched in the days to come, the president of the organizing committee was delighted with the success of this conference, both in terms of mobilization and enthusiasm.
‘I am satisfied. When we launched this conference, some doubted that we could bring together so many people in Gaoua. But look at the atmosphere, even at the end, the debates were continuing. I am overwhelmed,’ he concluded.
Source: Burkina Information Agency