Silê Sadio, the First Silatigi
Fulɓe pastoral initiatory tradition · mortal · Fulɓe pastoral initiatory tradition traditional religion; continuing · mortal
Silê Sadio (also Soulé, a diminutive of Souleymane/Solomon) is the archetypal first silatigi, the pastoral master-initiate of Fulani tradition. In the Koumen text, transmitted by the initiation-master Arɗo Dembo of Ndilli in the Ferlo of Senegal, he progresses through twelve successive 'clearings' of knowledge under the guidance of the bearded dwarf bush-spirit Koumen and his companion Foroforondou, learning the structure of the elements, of space and of time. His journey furnishes the paradigmatic pattern for every subsequent initiation of the herders.
Domains
- pastoral initiation
Powers
- to pass through the twelve clearings of pastoral knowledge
Relations
- subordinate to: Koumen, the Bush-Spirit Master of Herders
- subordinate to: Foroforondou, Mistress of the Milk