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Bois Sacrés of the Diola (Casamance)
Basse Casamance (e.g., Mlomp, Oussouye), southern Senegal
Senegal
Active (Boukout initiation every ~30 years)
Regional cluster
- Location
- Basse Casamance (e.g., Mlomp, Oussouye), southern Senegal
- Coordinates
- ~12.55°N 16.55°W
- Elevation
- Coastal lowland
- Size
- Varies (village woods)
- Age / Founded
- Ancient (Diola tradition)
- Status
- Active (Boukout initiation every ~30 years)
- Deity & Religion
- Ancestral spirits & boekin shrines; Diola (Jola) traditional religion
- Community & Guardians
- Diola (Jola) people
- Vernacular name
- Bois sacré (Diola)
- Record type
- Regional cluster
Cultural practices & uses
Circumcision & Boukout male-initiation rites; secret/initiate-only spaces
Plant species
Casamance woodland; Afzelia africana ('Mad') used as living screen
Biome & fauna
Guinean coastal forest/woodland
Threats & protection
Biodiversity hotspots; threatened by deforestation & encroachment
Source
'Bois sacrés et conservation… société diola: Mlomp Oussouye' (UASZ); Senegal-Shuttle