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One of the most prominent and ancient ritual among the Diola people (also known as Jola, Dyola and Yola people who reside primarily on the Atlantic coast that is between the southern banks of the Gambia River, the Casamance region of Southern Senegal and the northern part of Guinea – Bissau) the “Bukut”, or initiation takes place every 20 -25 years for an entire generation of men between the ages of 12 and 35.
Many men living abroad return to their local regions to participate in the ritual of Bukut. Like most Afrikan societies especially in West Afrika, Bukut takes place in the sacred forest. Elders and spiritual leaders teach the initiates ancestral secret knowledge as well as practical knowledge while secluded for a period of time in the sacred forest.
Bukut is a village (community) event that includes public celebrations such as singing, dancing, feasting and shooting ancient trade muskets or homemade cannons; these acts of celebration are performed by those who have been initiated as well by the neophytes. Women also play a major role in the initiation preparatory process on the village level for example mothers prepare food and compose songs for the neophytes and the senior women in the compound greets the dancers at the ceremonial visit which is called the “Buyeet”.
In traditonal thought, Bukut is transformative, all males were regarded as children until they completed the Bukut ritual. When the initiates leave the sacred forest, they appear in a new style of dress and at the close of the ritual, the newly initiated men also adorn elaborate masks filled with symbolism as part of the ceremonial process. Although many Diola people have converted to Christianity and Islam, rich traditional Afrikan religious practices continue to prevail.
