Journée internationale de la langue soninké : Une célébration entre héritage culturel et innovations numériques, le 25 septembre
For the second edition, International Soninke Language Day will be celebrated on September 25, 2025. This event, proclaimed by UNESCO in October 2023, is a historic recognition for this cross-border language of West Africa, which thus becomes the second African language, after Swahili, to benefit from a dedicated international day.
At a press conference this Tuesday, the president of the steering committee for the 2025 edition, Samba Yeri Diallo, spokesperson for the Soninke village chiefs, recalled the symbolic and cultural importance of this celebration.
"This is not a simple commemoration. It is an act of recognition, an affirmation of our cultural identity. Soninke is more than a language: it is a living memory, a link between peoples, a pride passed down from generation to generation," he recalls.
This ancient language, spoken in several West African countries, notably in Mali, Senegal, Mauritania, Gambia and Guinea, now benefits from a global showcase through this day, which aims to reconcile tradition and modernity.
The theme chosen for this 2nd edition is "The impact of digital technologies on the preservation and promotion of the Soninke language." Through participatory workshops, panels, conferences and community exchanges, the event will bring together linguists, technology experts, researchers, teachers, religious leaders and young leaders around themes such as the teaching and learning of Soninke in schools and community settings, the role of culture, art and traditions in safeguarding the language.
Kalidou Sy, Secretary General of the Soninke Association, emphasized its members' desire to see Soninke better integrated into educational systems and digital spaces.
"We are working to ensure that this language is better used in our schools and present on digital platforms, in order to preserve not only the language, but also Soninke values and culture," he says.
The 2025 edition also coincides with the National Literacy Month dedicated to national languages, a convergence welcomed by the organizers as a strategic opportunity to strengthen the place of Soninke in public linguistic policies.
Commentaires (3)
Le soninké est une belle langue, les soninké sont des gens bien et travailleurs. Vous meritez cette journée mes voisins soninké particulièrement ceux du Sénégal oriental d'où je suis originaire.
Xa nawari.
Bravo pour cette très belle initiative. Tous nos encouragements et nos félicitations pour la continuité et la valorisation de votre culture. Il faut toujours garder votre langue, votre culture et ses valeurs et les transmettre a' vos enfants. Bonne continuation
Il faut conserver cette langue et les valeurs qu'elle transmet depuis des generations. Foula moy lak sa lak. La raison pourlaquelle j'adore les halpoularen toutes variante confondue. Ils parlent leur langue partout.
Participer à la Discussion