AES Convene in Bamako to Strengthen Protection of Indigenous Cultural Traditions

Traditional religion practitioners from the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) have gathered in Bamako for a three-day forum aimed at promoting and safeguarding indigenous cultural expressions across the region.

The meeting, taking place from 25 to 27 January 2026 at the Palace of Culture in Mali’s capital, brings together custodians of ancestral spiritual practices, researchers and cultural stakeholders from Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger.

The opening ceremony was held on 25 January and was overseen by the Ministry of Crafts, Culture, Hospitality and Tourism, represented by Chief of Staff Dr Salia Malé. Organised by the Faso Kanu Blonba Association, the forum follows two earlier editions hosted in Ouagadougou and Niamey. The initiative has evolved into a regional platform for dialogue and cooperation among practitioners of indigenous belief systems within the AES framework.

Discussions are centred on the transmission of traditional knowledge, the preservation of communal rites and the role of indigenous spiritual practices in modern Sahelian societies. Organisers say the gathering is designed to encourage engagement between tradition bearers and public institutions responsible for cultural policy.

The event aligns with national and regional efforts to promote intangible cultural heritage, as recognised under UNESCO’s 2003 Convention, which covers oral traditions, ritual practices and social customs passed down through generations.

Participants are expected to conclude the meeting with a set of recommendations on documenting, safeguarding and transmitting indigenous cultural practices, reinforcing efforts to protect the region’s cultural identity amid rapid social change.