Contemporary Dynamics of the Bou Kounta Qadiri Community
By Maria Grosz-Ngaté
Documents
200910_SaintBenoitNewsletter
Date: October 2009St Ben' Mag' 4, October 2009: Colonisation et Independence au Senegal Account of a visit to the College (middle school) of Ndiassane by a teacher of the Saint Benoit Catholic School in Moulins (Auvergne), France. The partnership of the two institutions is facilitated by the non-governmental organization Association Des Racines et Des Hommes. Paper copy provided Show More
20110730_KountaGenealogy
Date: July 30, 2011Kounta genealogy developed by Ndankh Kounta family members. The first image in the group shows the complete genealogy. Photos 2-4 show details of the genealogy. Photographed by Maria Grosz-Ngate after interview.
20110731_GenealogieKunta_ResidenceAdamaKounta
Date: July 31, 2011Poster of Kounta Family Tree, photographed in the residence of Cheikh Adama Kounta, son of the second Khalife Sidi Lamine Kounta (1929-1973).
Images
20171208_CheikhBouDiop_GamouNdiassane
Date: December 8, 2017Screen grab of Cheikh Bou Diop, a singer for the Kounta family, from his videotaped performance at the 2017 pilgrimage celebration.
20171208_GamouNdiassane
Date: December 8, 2017Second screen grab of Cheikh Bou Diop, singer for the Kounta family, as an audience member offers him a gift during his performance at the 2017 pilgrimage celebration.
Gathering of Cheikh Bou Kounta followers
Date: July 7, 2007Disciples of Cheikh Bou Kounta assembled under a tent in Rue 11 of the Medina neighborhood of Dakar on the occasion of a visit by Khalif El Hadj Mame Bou Mamadou Kounta. The home of the Thiam family representing the Kounta in Dakar is nearby.
Gathering of Cheikh Bou Kounta Followers
Date: July 7, 2007Disciples of Cheikh Bou Kounta assembled under a tent in Rue 11 of the Medina neighborhood of Dakar on the occasion of a visit by Khalif El Hadj Mame Bou Mamadou Kounta. The home of the Thiam family representing the Kounta in Dakar is nearby.
Gathering of Cheikh Bou Kounta Followers
Date: July 7, 2007Assembly of Buh Kunta disciples under a tent in Rue 11 of the Medina neighborhood of Dakar on the occasion of a visit by Khalif El Hadj Mame Bou Mamadou Kounta. The women in the foreground are seated around a stage erected for an address by the Khalif.
Group photo at the grave of Cheikh Bounama Kounta, father of Cheikh Bou Kounta, Ndankh
Date: July 30, 2011Grave of Cheikh Bounama Kounta with (left to right): Makhtar Ndiaga Kone, Alioune Makhtar Kounta, Toba Diagne Haidara, Hady Sow.
Khalif El Hadj Mame Bou Mamadou Kounta
Date: April 7, 2007Khalif El Haj Mame Bou Mamadou Kounta surrounded by pilgrims and assistants during the 2007 gàmmu in Ndiassane. The men in blue are members of the Young Qadiri Movement (Mouvement des Jeunes Khadres).
Marché Malien, Ndiassane
Date: December 20, 2016Photo of Malian cloth sellers in the periodic market held in Ndiassane at the time of the annual pilgrimages.
Marché Malien, Ndiassane (2)
Date: December 20, 2016View of periodic market held in Ndiassane at the time of the annual pilgrimages. Frequently termed 'Malian Market', sellers come not only from Mali but also from other West African countries.
Photo of Abou Mouhamed Kounta grave
Date: July 30, 2011A photograph of the burial place of Abou Mouhamed Kounta
Photo of Alioune Makhtar Kounta
Date: July 30, 2011Alioune Makhtar Kounta, following the interview with Cheikh Becaye Kounta and Imam Bouna Mouhamed Bouna Kounta. Mr. Kounta received his early religious education in Ndankh and later became a teacher of Arabic. He was teaching Arabic in a middle school (college) near Ndankh at the time the photo was taken. Three of the Ndankh Koranic school (daara) teachers in the acco Show More
Photo of Alioune Makhtar Kounta and Daara Teacher
Date: July 30, 2011Photo of Alioune Makhtar Kounta with Koranic school teacher.
Photo of Alioune Makhtar Kounta and Koranic school teacher
Date: July 30, 2011Alioune Makhtar Kounta with his former Koranic school teacher.
Photo of Bécaye Coulibaly's field in Ndiassane 1
Date: June 14, 2015Field planted with garden vegetables, property of Cheikh Bécaye Coulibaly. The sacred spring (séane), attributed to Cheikh Bou Kounta, is within its perimeter.
Photo of Bécaye Coulibaly's field in Ndiassane 2
Date: June 14, 2015Coulibaly family children watering vegetables with water drawn from the spring attributed to Cheikh Bou Kounta.
Photo of Bécaye Coulibaly's field in Ndiassane 3
Date: June 14, 2015Photograph of Cheikh Bécaye Coulibaly's field, featuring in particular the eggplant section and mango trees.
Photo of Bécaye Coulibaly's field in Ndiassane 4
Date: June 14, 2015Field of Cheikh Bécaye Coulibaly planted with vegetables and herbs.
Photo of Bou Kounta Thiam 1
Date: January 2, 2008El Hadji Cheikh Bou Kounta Thiam in his home in Dakar-Medina.
Photo of Bou Kounta Thiam 2
Date: January 2, 2008El Hadj Cheikh Bou Kounta Thiam in his home in Dakar-Medina
Photo of Bouna Kounta
Date: July 30, 2011Photograph of Bouna Kounta, Imam of Ndankh, seated among others present at the interview.
Photo of Bouna Kounta and Bécaye Kounta
Date: July 30, 2011Imam Bouna Kounta (L) seated next to Cheikh Bécaye Kounta (R), photographed after the interview.
Photo of Cheikh Abdou Khadre Djeilani Camara 1
Date: August 4, 2011Cheikh Abdou Khadre Djeilani Camara after his interview in Dakar-Mermoz
Photo of Cheikh Abdou Khadre Djeilani Camara 2
Date: August 4, 2011Cheikh Abdou Khadre Djeilani Camara after his interview in Dakar-Mermoz
Photo of Cheikh Bounama Kounta's grave, Ndankh
Date: July 30, 2011Burial place of Cheikh Bounama Kounta, father of Bou Kounta, in Ndankh Cemetery. Mr. Makhtar Ndiaga Kone is standing behind the grave. To the right are Mr. Alioune Makhtar Kounta and Madame Toba Diagne Haidara.
Photo of chidren in a daara 4
Date: July 30, 2011Photograph of a group of children sitting in a daara.
Photo of children in a daara
Date: July 30, 2011Photograph of children in a daara, seated in front of a Koranic teacher.
Photo of children in a daara 2
Date: July 30, 2011Photograph of children seated in front of their Koranic teacher in a daara.
Photo of children in a daara 2
Date: July 30, 2011Children in the court yard of their daara with visiting adults.
Photo of children in a daara 3
Date: July 30, 2011Photograph of children seated in two rows in front of their Koranic teacher.
Photo of children in a daara 5
Date: July 30, 2011Photograph of a group of children sitting in a daara while an older man reads in front of them.
Photo of children in a daara 6
Date: July 30, 2011Photograph of children, some with tablets, seated in rows in a daara.
Photo of children in a daara 7
Date: July 30, 2011Photograph of young boys, seated in rows in a daara.
Photo of children in daara courtyard
Date: July 30, 2011Children seated in the courtyard of their Koranic school teacher and visiting adults.
Photo of El Hadj Cheikh Bécaye Coulibaly
Date: June 21, 2015El Hadj Cheikh Bécaye Coulibaly after the interview. Some use Fall, the Wolof equivalent of Coulibaly, when referring to Cheikh Bécaye.
Photo of El Hadj Cheikh Bécaye Coulibaly and Hady Sow
Date: June 21, 2015Photograph of El Hadj Cheikh Bécaye Coulibaly and Mr. Hady Sow after the interview.
Photo of El Hadj Cheikh Bécaye Coulibaly and Idrissa Coulibaly
Date: June 21, 2015Photograph of El Hadj Cheikh Bécaye Coulibaly and his son Idrissa Coulibaly
Photo of El Hadj Mame Bou Mouhamed Kounta and Makhtar Ndiaga Kone
Date: January 3, 2007Photo of Khalif El Hadj Mame Bou Mouhamed Kounta and Makhtar Ndiaga Kone
Photo of El Hadji Bou Mouhamed Kounta 1
Date: June 17, 2015El Hadji Mame Bou Mouhamed Kounta, son of Sidi Balle Kounta, in his home in Ndiassane
Photo of El Hadji Bou Mouhamed Kounta 2
Date: June 17, 2015Photo of El Hadji Mame Bou Mouhamed Kounta, son of Sidi Balle Kounta, in his home in Ndiassane
Photo of Khalif El Hadji Mame Bou Mouhamed Kounta 1
Date: June 20, 2015Photograph of Khalif El Hadji Mame Bou Mouhamed Kounta
Photo of Khalif El Hadji Mame Bou Mouhamed Kounta 2
Date: June 20, 2015Photo of Khalif El Hadji Mame Bou Mouhamed Kounta and two family members in the salon, hands outstretched for blessings.
Photo of Kounta family members
Date: July 30, 2011Members of the Kounta family present at the interview with Cheikh Becaye Kounta and Imam Bouna Mouhamed Bouna Kounta of Ndankh.
Photo of Madame Aminata Kounta 1
Date: August 13, 2015Madame Aminata Kounta, photographed after the interview
Photo of Makhtar Ndiaga Kone at the grave of Abou Mouhamed Kounta
Date: July 30, 2011Makhtar Ndiaga Kone seated at the grave of Abou Mouhamed Kounta in Ndankh. The Arabic inscription on the plaque reads: "This is the grave of Abou Mouhamed Kounta. May Allah have mercy on him." Abou Mouhamed Kounta was a brother of Ndankh founder Cheikh Bounama Kounta. He passed away during a visit to Ndankh. Photograph: Maria Grosz-Ngaté. Translation of inscrip Show More
Photo of Mouhamed Kounta
Date: August 15, 2015Professor Mouhamed Kounta, photographed after the interview
Photo of Mouhamed Kounta 2
Date: August 15, 2015Professor Mouhamed Kounta, photographed after the interview.
Photo of Ndankh landscape
Date: July 30, 2011Photograph of the landscape of Ndankh, featuring trees and infrastructure in the background.
Photo of Ndankh road sign
Date: July 30, 2011Photograph of the road sign for Ndankh, which reads "Ndankh Kounta founded in 1800, 6 kilometers from Ngaay."
Photo of Ndiassane road signs 1
Date: August 13, 2015Photograph of road sign with arrows for Ndiassane and Tivaouane.
Photo of new construction in Ndiassane 1
Date: June 20, 2015Photograph of new constructions in Ndiassane
Photo of new construction in Ndiassane 2
Date: June 20, 2015Photograph of new constructions in Ndiassane
Photo of Papa Abdou Rahmane Kounta 1
Date: June 19, 2015A photograph of Serigne Papa Abdou Rahmane Kounta.
Photo of Papa Abdou Rahmane Kounta 2
Date: June 19, 2015Serigne Abdou Rahmane Kounta in his home in Ndiassane, photographed after the interview.
Photo of the Ndankh cemetery
Date: July 30, 2011A photograph featuring grave sites at the Ndankh cemetery.
Interviews
El Hadji Cheikh Bou Kounta Thiam_02-01-2008
Date: January 2, 2008El Hadj Cheikh Bou Kounta Thiam received his religious education under Cheikh Abdourahmane Kounta and created the first Kounta daaira in Dakar. He shares his extensive knowledge of the Bou Kounta community, gained in the course of his long membership. Addressing topics ranging from the life of Bou Kounta, the development of the tarikha over time, relations with the st Show More
20070110_Makhtar Ndiaga Koné
Date: January 10, 2007Mr. Koné is the descendent of a family with spiritual ties to both Ndiassane and Ndankh. The interview focuses on his experience as a founding member of the Mouvement des Jeunes Khadres (MJK), established in 1997 with the goal of educating Qadiri youth about the Kounta family. The khalif approved their plan in 1998 and the organization gained legal status as a civil Show More
20110804_ADCamara
Date: August 4, 2011Mr. Camara has been an active member of the Mouvement des Jeunes Khadres (MJK) since 2002. He teaches at a middle school in the Kaffrine region of Senegal while also continuing his education at the University Cheikh Anta Diop. He grew up in a Qadiri family in Mbour and began going to Ndiassane at an early age. In the course of the interview Mr. Camara discusses the de Show More
20150616_AminataKounta
Date: June 16, 2015Aminata Kounta, is a daughter of Khalif El Hadj Mame Bou Mouhamed Kounta and his second wife Aminata Mbacke from Touba. She begins by speaking about her upbringing, her schooling, and her work in education, and then discusses the establishment of the Ndiassane primary school and the middle school, where she works. In the last part of the interview she elaborates on he Show More
20150617_AmouKounta
Date: June 17, 2015Mr. Amou Kounta, who has lived in Ndiassane all his life, was appointed by the khalif to succeed his elder brother as village chief. He describes his responsibilities and how his role intersects with those of the religious authorities. He concludes by summarizing changes that have taken place in Ndiassane, emphasizing the role that Khalif El Hadji Mame Bou Mamadou has Show More
20150617_BouMouhamedKounta_2
Date: June 17, 2015El Hadj Mame Bou Mouhamed Kounta (Ballé) is a grandson of Bou Kounta who was born in Ndiassane but grew up in Saint-Louis and received his Koranic and secular education there, graduating with a diploma from the technical college. His father graduated from the “School of Hostages” in Saint-Louis, a school created by the French colonial administration and later ren Show More
20150618_AbdouMbaye
Date: June 18, 2015Mr. Abdou Mbaye is the griot (spokesperson) for the khalif, a role he inherited from his elder brother and, before him, his father and grandfather. His grandfather Bounama Mbaye was born in Ndankh and moved to Ndiassane after Cheikh Bou Kounta established himself there. Mr. Abdou Mbaye was able to make the pilgrimage to Mecca, thanks to the sponsorship of Khalif El Ha Show More
20150618_MinetouKounta
Date: June 18, 2015Madame Minetou Kounta, a daughter of Khalif Cheikh Bou Mouhamed Kounta (d. 2006), was born in the village of Thiariack, near Kaolack, but grew up in Ndiassane. She describes the activities of the NGO Tostan in Ndiassane and her own participation and role as treasurer. Madame Minetou Kounta concludes by discussing her involvement in Senegalese party politics after Tos Show More
20150618_NogayeDieye
Date: June 18, 2015Madame Nogaye Dièye is a tailor who was president of TOSTAN’s project in Ndiassane. She explains the activities of the NGO and the ways in which they benefitted Ndiassane. Madame Dièye concludes by briefly speaking about a development project, initiated after the departure of TOSTAN, and of which she has also become the president. Interview conducted in Wolof b Show More
20150619_BayeSidyMoukhtarKounta
Date: June 19, 2015Baye Sidy Moukhtar Kounta grew up in Ndiassane. Apart from trips to other West African countries, he has spent his entire life in the community. Baye Sidy Moukhtar comments on some of the changes in the religious life of Ndiassane, the role of the media, and the participation of government representatives in religious events. He concludes by stressing the importance o Show More
20150619_IFallATardif
Date: June 19, 2015This interview deals with the partnership between the Collège (Middle School) of Ndiassane and the Association des Racines et des Hommes, a French humanitarian organization based in Vichy, France, with a branch in Senegal. The association’s founder Anna Tardiff describes in detail the history of the association’s partnership with Ndiassane and its contributions t Show More
20150619_PapaAbdourahmane Kounta
Date: June 19, 2015Papa Abdou Rahmane Kounta traces his descent to Ndankh and to Ndiassane: his father was the son of one of Bou Kounta’s elder brothers in Ndankh and his mother was the daughter of Cheikh Al Bécaye, the first khalif of Ndiassane. He was born in Ndankh and received his religious education in Ndankh and in Mauritania. Mr. Kounta explains that he studied agriculture in Show More
20150620_AmadouDiagneGaye
Date: June 20, 2015Amadou Diagne Gaye has been teaching English at the Collège (Middle School) of Ndiassane since 2005. At the time of the interview he was also vice-principal, a member of the school’s Management Council, and the coordinator of the partnership with the Association des Racines et des Hommes. Mr. Gaye discusses the history of the partnership; its contributions; the sp Show More
20150620_KhalifeElHadjMameBou
Date: June 20, 2015Khalif El Hadji Mame Bou Mamadou Kounta was the oldest spiritual leader of a tarikha (Khalife Général) in Senegal before he passed away on November 4, 2018. In this interview he provides an overview of his life, touching on various personal relationships that impacted his life and on travels he undertook to other West African countries. He emphasizes the importance Show More
20150621_CheikhBecayeCoulibaly
Date: June 21, 2015El Hadj Bécaye Coulibaly offers an intimate account of his life and relationship with the Kounta family, providing considerable insight into the actions and interactions of the different khalifs. In a nearly seamless narrative he details how his father left the French Sudan (now Mali) to join the Bou Kounta community in Ndiassane to become a devoted follower. He rema Show More
20150815_MouhamedKounta
Date: August 15, 2015Mouhamed Kounta was first interviewed by Maria Grosz-Ngate in 2007 as part of the project on the Qadiriyya Community of Bou Kounta, funded by a TICFIA grant. His father had become khalif the previous year, the first grandson of Bou Kounta to assume the khalifate. Mr. Kounta now reflects on the accomplishments and challenges during the intervening years, including his Show More
20150919_AssaneSene
Date: September 19, 2015Mr. Assane Sène teaches at the lycée of Pout after having taught at several schools, including the Collège of Ndiassane (2003-08). He briefly discusses the development of the Collège and then describes his interactions with the Kounta family. Asked about his perspective on the responsibilities and concerns of the khalif, he notes that he considers the Kountas to b Show More
201511_SidiMouhamedKounta
Date: January 1, 2016Sidy Mouhamed Kounta is the President of the Parents’ Association (Association des Parents d'Élèves, or APE) of Ndiassane. His paternal grandfather was Bécaye Kounta, the eldest son of Ndiassane founder Bou Kounta, who became the first khalif after his father's death. Mr. Kounta discusses his role as president of the association, the creation of the school, impro Show More
Cheikh Bou Diop, Ndiassane, 27-12-2007
Date: December 27, 2007Cheikh Bou Diop, a devoted follower of Cheikh Bou Kounta, begins by tracing his ancestry to his great grandfather who relocated from Pir (Cayor region) in order to follow Bou Kounta. Known widely as a praise singer for the Kounta family at religious ceremonies, he explains that he inherited this vocation from his father and that his family is not of griot origin. He d Show More
Fatma Bouna Kounta 30-12-2007
Date: December 30, 2007Madame Fatma Bouna Kounta speaks about her position in the Kounta family; her upbringing; her religious education; her membership in an association of Kounta family members; and the importance that Khalif Sidi Yakhaya has had for her. Interview conducted in Wolof by Toba Diagne Haidara. Translated into French by Adrien Pouille.
Interview Pape Malick Béye
Date: January 5, 2007Mr. Pape Malick Béye directs one of the four Koranic schools in Ndiassane. Students are from Ndiassane, from nearby villages, and from neighboring countries. He notes that none of them beg. Mr. Béye discusses religious instruction in Ndiassane, his own background, and how he became a teacher. He also explains the difference between the Koranic schools of Ndiassane a Show More
Interview with Sana Cissokho and Makhtar Ndiaga Kone
Date: December 16, 2007Mr. Sana Cissokho, from the town of Malikounda, is a member of the Qadiri youth movement (Mouvement des Jeunes Khadres - MJK) with responsibilities for researching and disseminating information about the Bou Kounta Path. He discusses how he became involved with the movement as a student at the University Cheikh Anta Diop in Dakar and established a grouping there. In t Show More
Ndankh_Bouna Kounta 30 July 2011
Date: July 30, 2011Cheikh Bouna Mouhamed Kounta, the imam of Ndankh, and Cheikh Bécaye Kounta provide a detailed history and genealogy of the founding family of Ndankh, drawing on their extensive research. They cover the arrival of Cheikh Bounama, father of Ndiassane founder Cheikh Bou Kounta, in Senegal; his settlement in Ndankh following his religious education under Cheikh Sidy Mak Show More
Sidi Lamine Thiam ET AL. 14-12-2007
Date: December 14, 2007Beginning with his father in 1932, Cheikh Sidi Lamine Thiam’s family has represented the Kounta kaliphs in Dakar. He relates his family history and links with the Kounta family, with interventions by Babacar and Abdoulaye Kounta. The discussion also touches on the relations between Khalif Sidi Lamine and the secular authorities; the reputed wealth of Bou Kounta and Show More
Newspaper clippings
President Macky Sall Visits Ndiassane
Date: December 28, 2015This article by Ms. Ndeye Fatou Niang reports on President Macky Sall's visit to Ndiassane in advance of the 133rd gammu, scheduled for December 30, 2015. During the visit, the Senegalese head of state called on the assistance of Khalif General Mame Bou Mamadou Kounta in combatting Islamic radicalism by sensitizing followers to the dangers of terrorism. He also took Show More
Khalif of Ndiassane: speech
Date: December 17, 2013News summary of a speech made by the Khalif of Ndiassane during the 2013 annual pilgrimage. The report highlights that the Khalif asked for better treatment of Koranic school students, citing as example the Prophet Mohamed's respect for his loyal companions. He also requested that the Senegalese government tar the road between Mekhe [on the main highway to Saint-Louis Show More
News article: Rue Cheikh Bou Mouhamed Kounta
Date: January 28, 2016Dounya 24 article reposted on Facebook January 22, 2018: «Cheikh Bou Mouhamed Kounta est un homme vénéré pour sa piété et son engament[sic] au service de l’Islam et de Dieu». The article reports that the municipal council of the Commune of Parcelles Assainies organized a ceremony to rename the street running from school PA 26 to the beginning of cité HLM Show More
News report: Source d'Eau de Ndiassane
Date: January 17, 2014Titled "Ndiassane rediscovers the 'miracle' of its spring," the article reports that Ahmet Kounta, spokesman and son of the Khalif General of the Ndiassane Khadiriyya, announced that its spring has reappeared. After having run dry in recent years, it is again providing potable water just as Ndiassane is about to celebrate the 2014 pilgrimage (gammu). The spring first Show More
Videos
20171213_Causerie-Serigne Abdourahmane Kounta
Date: 2018Serigne Abdourahamne Kounta takes advantage of his interview with Sunuy Mag TV to address the controversial and long-standing debate about whether or not Gammu is Bid’a (Innovation in religion). Even though he admits that Gammu is Bid’a, he cautions against the fact that detractors of Gammu are pseudo intellectuals who have a narrow understanding of the concept of Show More
Accomplishments of the Kounta Dynasty in Africa and Senegal
Date: October 10, 2017La dynastie Kounta: Leurs grandes oeuvres en Afrique et au Sénégal Par Serigne Bou Khalifa Kounta Mr. Bou Khalifa Kounta provides a rich overview of the genesis and development of the Qadiriyya Sufi order, beginning with Abdou Khadr al-Jilani who left Iran to study in Iraq to Cheikh Sidi Makhtar al-Kountiyu, who institutionalized the Path in western Africa and i Show More
Bouna Boubacar Kounta at Tomb of Cheikh Bounama, Ndankh
Date: December 16, 2016"Bouna Boubacar Kounta: Mausolée de Cheikh Bounama" In this short video, Mr. Boubacar Bouna Kounta speaks about Cheikh Bounama Kounta and his role in the history of Ndankh. Recorded at his ancestor's tomb in the cemetery of Ndankh, he notes that visitors to the cemetery should first come to the tomb as a sign of respect. Video in Wolof; summary by Mr. Gana Ndi Show More
Korite2018-Ndiassane_Message-du-Khalife
Date: 2018Video clip of the address offered by Khalife El Hadj Mame Bou Mamadou Kounta on the occasion of Aid al-Fitr, the holiday celebrating the end of Ramadan. Aid al-Fitr is known as Korité in Senegal.
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Collège of Ndiassane
Date: 2009Photo of students, teachers, and visitors at the Collège of Ndiassane. Downloaded from web site of l'Association des Racines et des Hommes Sénégal.
Gàmmu 2017 / Talk by Serigne Abdourahmane Kounta
Date: December 17In the video "Gàmmu 2017 / Causerie de Serigne Abdourahmane Kounta," Serigne Abdourahmane Kounta takes advantage of his interview with Sunuy Mag TV to address the controversial and long-standing debate about whether or not the gàmmu (annual pilgrimage celebration) is Bid’a (Innovation in religion). Although he admits that the gàmmu is Bid’a, he cautions that de Show More
