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The Bomo in Mali
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"BOMO" in Mali
A cultural event of great importance in the Bambara community in Mali, is the fishing ceremony called "Bomo" in the sacred pond in the village of Nienuercoura. The ceremony depicts the history of the village, and the development and origins of the family names of that area.
This stems from the story of three strangers coming from a different area, with the family name of Magassouba. They asked Minke Doumbia, the village chief if they could use his land. In exchange for their request, they had to conduct the annual sacrifice to the sacred pond "Bo". The three strangers then possessed the powers to perform these sacrifices and they adopted the names of Doumbia. As these three strangers had been accepted into the community, the family names from this area could be either "Magassouba" or "Doumbia".
The "Bomo" ceremony which gets it's name from "Bo", the name of the sacred pond, and "Mo", which means fishing, is performed in the sixth month of the dry season, usually in about April or May. The chief of the village announces the ceremony to all the villagers, and the whole village including the children participate in the fishing. Men, women and children carry locally made fishing tools to the pond. It is a social gathering, and an opportunity for the adults to talk and the children to play. At the end of the day's activities, the children clean the fish and take them home. There are some traditions that forbid children to eat fish, but the fish caught during the "Bomo" are shared with the whole family. Many fish are caught and these will be stored and used during the rainy season too.
The "Bomo" is a source of education for the children, as it helps them learn about their culture. It also teaches them about working as a team, and participating in a village activity.
Over time, this great and important event, has become less prominent, but the collective fishing party of Niengencoura still remains a part of the history and culture of the village and has been enjoyed and shared by generations of people.
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