Hammadi, the Initiate of Kaïdara
Fulɓe pastoral initiatory tradition · mortal · Fulɓe pastoral initiatory tradition traditional religion; continuing · Recorded classification
Hammadi is the protagonist of the initiatory poem Kaïdara, one of three companions — with Hamtoudo and Dembourou — who descend to the land of the dwarf-genies to reach Kaïdara, god of gold and knowledge. Where his companions covet only material wealth and perish, Hammadi seeks understanding of the mysterious signs he witnesses and, on the return road, surrenders his riches for three pieces of wisdom. His success embodies the tradition's teaching that the true initiate values knowledge above gold.
Domains
- hidden knowledge
Powers
- to interpret the enigmatic symbols met on the initiatory road
- to renounce gold in exchange for words of wisdom
Relations
- subordinate to: Kaïdara, Deity of Gold and Hidden KnowledgeHammadi is the seeker who attains the wisdom dispensed by the god Kaïdara, surviving where his greed-driven companions perish.Amadou Hampâté Bâ, Kaïdara: récit initiatique peul, Les Classiques Africains, Julliard, Paris, 1969. (secondary)
Sources
- Hammadi is the wisdom-seeking initiate of the Kaïdara récit who alone survives the journey to the god of gold and hidden knowledge by choosing wisdom over wealth.: Amadou Hampâté Bâ, Kaïdara: récit initiatique peul, Les Classiques Africains, Julliard, Paris, 1969. (secondary); Amadou Hampâté Bâ, Contes initiatiques peuls (Njeddo Dewal, mère de la calamité; Kaïdara), Collection Motifs, Stock, Paris, 1994. (secondary)