Mame Diarra Bousso

Sokhna Mame Diarra Bousso (1833–1866) is a Murid saint. The annual pilgrimage to the site of her death and mausoleum is the only pilgrimage dedicated to a woman in Senegal. She was the mother of Sheikh Ahmadou Bamba.

Biography

Mame Diarra Bousso was born to Serigne Mouhamadou Bousso and Sokhna Asta Wâlo Mbackein 1833 in Mbusôbé, a town in northeast Senegal today attached to Podor.[1]

Sokhna Diarra received an Islamic education from her mother at home, excelling at her studies.

After her marriage, she gave birth to several children, including Serigne Mouhamadou Mor Diarra (Boroom Saam), Serigne Habîboullah, Sokhna Fâty Mbacke, and Sheikh Ahmadou Bamba. She provided her children with a thorough education.

Mame Diarra died at age 33 in 1866 and was buried in Porokhane.[1]

Legacy and sainthood

Sokhna Diarra is understood to represent the qualities of a good Muslim woman, including knowledge, piety, and righteousness.

Today, thousands take the annual pilgrimage to the site of her death and mausoleum in Porokhane, Senegal, the only pilgrimage dedicated to a woman in Senegal. The site also includes a mosque as well as a vocational complex for girl to receive education and training.[1]

Mame Diarra is also celebrated in the African diaspora among immigrant communities. In Harlem, men and women gather to recount the miracles of Diarra Bousso and her son Amadou Bamba, recite her khassaïd (poetry), and listen to griots sing of her life.[2]

Further reading

References

  1. 1 2 3 Cheikh Amadou Bamba Seye, "Mame Diarra Bousso, or Female Sainthood," www.majalis.org
  2. ↑ Abdullah, Zain (2010-09-01). Black Mecca: The African Muslims of Harlem. Oxford University Press. ISBN 9780199813612.


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