The Thiaroye massacre in 1944 remains a dark and painful page in Franco-African history. This tragic event, which occurred 80 years ago, continues to raise questions and calls for recognition and truth. The voices of artists and descendants of the victims come together to pay tribute to the massacred riflemen and to demand justice.
Senny Camara, granddaughter of a Senegalese rifleman, has symbolized this quest for truth through her music. Her poignant piece, entitled “Thiaroye 44”, recounts the horror experienced by the “native” soldiers sacrificed in Thiaroye. This musical work, inspired by the poignant stories of her grandfather, captures the emotion and truth of an event that has long been hidden.
Similarly, Matador, a rapper and slam poet from Thiaroye, has devoted a significant part of his career to evoking the massacre through his committed texts. For him, it is essential to make the voices of the victims heard and to re-establish the truth about the events of December 1, 1944. His new title, “Hécatombe”, reminds us of the importance of not forgetting the past and honoring the memory of those who disappeared.
Despite the years that have passed since this tragedy, the quest for truth remains strong. The French authorities recently officially recognized the Thiaroye massacre, thus marking a step towards the recognition of this long-hidden tragedy. However, the victims’ relatives and historians are calling for more transparency and access to archives to shed light on this colonial massacre.
Through music, literature, and testimonies, the memory of Thiaroye continues to vibrate and resonate. It is essential to preserve this history, as painful as it may be, to honor the memory of the soldiers who fell at Thiaroye and to build an open and respectful collective memory. The emotion and truth expressed by the artists and witnesses of this tragedy remind us of the importance of remembering and doing justice to those forgotten by history.