The Tradition of Rakiire

One of the Burkinabe culture, customs, and etiquette is Rakiire (cross-ethnic joking). Rakiire is a thousand-year-old custom. No one can say when exactly it started; however, cross-ethnic joking is considered a dynamic, evolutionary practice. Rakiire has 2 types, one exists within the same family and the other is the cross-ethnic joking relationship. Rakiire within a big family evolves as marital relations are formed and children are brought into the world. Rakiire insults never lead to a brawl.

When a person starts “insulting” the parents of someone else, he can only insult the father. The mother is not insulted because generally, she is from another ethnic group. The purpose of these joke “insults” is to allow people to have fun and remember the pact of nonaggression and assistance that exists between their ethnic groups. Besides, people can learn how to have a culture of tolerance and accept others just as they are. Thus, various social groups learn how to live together. In case of conflict, it is possible to actually use Rakiire to defuse the conflict. In fact, Rakiire can be connected with the freedom of speech. One is free to voice what he thinks without being worried.