In this blessed month of Ramadan, a month of devotion, sharing, and a return to spiritual roots, Seneweb launches its new section dedicated to the emblematic figures of Islam in Senegal. Through this series, we invite you to discover or rediscover these illustrious scholars who have marked the history of our brotherhoods with their knowledge, piety, and dedication to the most vulnerable. For this first installment, we revisit the life of Serigne Abdourahmane Kounta, an icon of Ndiassane whose social and spiritual work continues to inspire generations.

He lived to be 65. Widely known as Serigne Abdourahmane Bouh, he is one of the icons of the Khadre brotherhood. Although he was never the general khalifa of the Khadres in Ndiassane, he attracted a large number of disciples from near and far, thanks to his sociability, his closeness to the people, and his work to popularize Islam.

Nicknamed "Karamokho" (religious guide) by his disciples (Bambara and Mossi), he was born in 1900 in Ndiassane. Third son of Bouh Kounta (1840-1914), his mother was named Mame Maréma Faye, originally from Baliga, a village founded by his father in the department of Tivaouane (Thiès).

From a young age, he was sent to Mauritania to study the Holy Quran. Upon returning home, he was transferred by his father to Sédhiou, where he represented the Kounta family at the age of 30. In 1929, following the death of his older brother, Mame Cheikh Al Bécaye Kounta, he returned to Ndiassane to care for the family. He then ruled the community with an iron fist until the return of his brother, Sidy Lamine Kounta, the future Caliph General, who was forced to rally behind him to support the brotherhood.

According to Sheikh Sidy Lamine Cissé, Serigne Abdourahmane Bouh was not the general caliph, but he did remarkable work within the Khadre brotherhood. He acted in the manner of a caliph, ensuring a smooth transition, retaining all the disciples, and supporting his brother. He was very popular and known to almost everyone.

A social man

Serigne Abdourahmane Kounta was a religious man and deeply committed to social causes, always at the service of his followers and the community. He loved listening to people to understand their concerns and offer solutions.

“He was very social. He wasn’t interested in wealth. Every day he distributed to the people, sometimes even borrowing to meet the needs of the needy. He never wore clothes with pockets so as not to save anything,” says Cheikh Sidy Lamine Cissé.

During the month of Ramadan, he encouraged his followers to observe fasting and prayers and distributed food to families in need, often discreetly. His actions earned him the nickname "Aboul Massakini" (the father of the poor). "He was like a father, mother, and grandfather to the poor. He gave all his possessions to the destitute, even those who couldn't ask for help," adds Sheikh Sidy Lamine Cissé.

Religion was Serigne's priority   Abdourahmane Bouh. Every day, he worked to popularize Islam, guiding people towards God and the teachings of the Quran.

A great healer of the mentally ill

Serigne Abdourahmane Kounta was also an exceptional healer. He treated the mentally ill and snakebite victims using his spiritual knowledge and the Holy Quran. His chamberlain, Abdou Diène, assisted him in calming patients before their final treatment. Before his passing, he had declared that some patients would no longer be cured after his death, emphasizing the uniqueness of his knowledge.

According to Sheikh Sidy Lamine Cissé, caring for the mentally ill was not Serigne Abdourahmane Bouh's primary occupation. He worked mainly in agriculture, led prayers, taught the Quran, and conducted funeral prayers and burials. He also founded villages such as Ndiassane Mbambilor and Maka Gueydé and had followers in several countries, including Burkina Faso and Ivory Coast, where he was known as "Morro" (the authority, the chief, the guide).

His encounter with a Zamane Khoutb

Thanks to his spiritual dimension, he knew how to recognize the saints of his time. One day, his chamberlain, Abdou Diène, encountered a man who seemed mad under a tree behind the khabrou of Ndiassane. Serigne Abdourahmane Kounta revealed to him that it was a Zamane khutb who had come to perform his ziarra in Ndiassane.

Death and inheritance

Serigne Abdourahmane Kounta died in 1965 at the age of 65. Without ever occupying the position of general khalifa of the Khadres, he played a major role in popularizing the Khadre brotherhood and Islam, leaving a lasting spiritual and social legacy in Senegal.