Function and Ideology of Myths among the Senoufo of the Region of Bagoué: between Cosmogony, Community Ethics, and Collective Memory

Abstract

Among the Senoufo group of the region of Bagoué, myth is much more than a simple narrative. It is a fundamental vector of cultural transmission, social regulation, and ideological expression. This article explores the multiple functions of myth in terms of education, social, and religious aspects in connection with the initiatory institution of Poro and community rituals. Moreover, it highlights the ideology conveyed by these stories, based on cosmic order, the authority of ancestors and a community ethic centered on solidarity and interdependence. Thus, myth emerges as a dynamic cultural matrix, guaranteeing the continuity and cohesion of the Senoufo group over time.