Mame Diarra Bousso (1833–1866) is a Sufi saint from
Senegal
Senegal,; Wolof: ''Senegaal''; Pulaar: 𞤅𞤫𞤲𞤫𞤺𞤢𞥄𞤤𞤠(Senegaali); Arabic: السنغال ''As-Sinighal'') officially the Republic of Senegal,; Wolof: ''Réewum Senegaal''; Pulaar : 𞤈𞤫𞤲𞤣𞤢𞥄𞤲𞤣𞤠ðž ...
. The annual pilgrimage to the site of her death and mausoleum is the only Muslim pilgrimage dedicated to a woman in Senegal. She was the mother of Ahmadou Bamba.
Biography
Bousso was born to Serigne Mouhamadou Bousso and Sokhna Asta Wâlo Mbackein 1833 in Mbusôbé, a town in northeast Senegal today attached to
Podor
Podor (Wolof: Podoor) is the northernmost town in Senegal, lying on Morfil Island between the Sénégal River and Doué River on the border with Mauritania. It was the location of the ancient state Takrur. It is home to a ruined French colonial ...
.
[Cheikh Amadou Bamba Seye, "Mame Diarra Bousso, or Female Sainthood," www.majalis.org]
She died at age 33 in 1866 and was buried in
Porokhane
Porokhane (also spelled Prokhane) is a town and commune near Nioro du Rip in Paoskoto Arrondissement, Kaolack Region, Senegal. It is a major pilgrimage site for the Mourides of Senegal.
Pilgrimage
Porokhane is a place of annual pilgrimage k ...
.
Legacy and sainthood
Today, thousands take the annual pilgrimage to the site of her death and mausoleum in Porokhane, Senegal, the only Muslim pilgrimage dedicated to a woman in Senegal. The site also includes a mosque as well as a vocational complex for girl to receive education and training.
Bousso is also celebrated in the African diaspora among some immigrant communities. In
Harlem
Harlem is a neighborhood in Upper Manhattan, New York City. It is bounded roughly by the Hudson River on the west; the Harlem River and 155th Street (Manhattan), 155th Street on the north; Fifth Avenue on the east; and 110th Street (Manhattan), ...
, men and women gather to recount what they believe were her miracles, and her son Amadou Bamba, recites her poetry, and listen to musicians singing about her life.
Further reading
« Hommage à Sokhna Diarra Bousso (1833-1866) : Un modèle de vertus à méditer et à suivre »(biographie sur Seneweb, 2 mai 2009)
*S. Thiam, Dama Diarra Bousso: ''Un idéal de vie.'' Mémoire de maîtrise. Dakar, Senegal: UCAD (Université Cheikh Anta Diop), 1998
*
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bousso, Mame
1833 births
1866 deaths
Senegalese women
Senegalese Muslims
Senegalese Sufi saints