During the fourth edition of The Return festival-pilgrimage, organized by emotional psychology coach Rama Ata Gueye, the family of the legendary Bob Marley was honored in Touba. This symbolic and spiritual gesture was intended to heal the wounds of slavery and celebrate Black excellence.
From July 24 to 27, 2025, Senegal vibrated to the rhythm of The Return festival, a unique African pilgrimage initiated by coach Rama Ata Gueye, president of SCENAFRIK. For this fourth edition, she invited the family of the legendary Bob Marley to participate in a spiritual and cultural journey aimed at healing the still-open wounds of transatlantic slavery.
“As a coach in emotional psychology, The Return is our psychological bandage, our symbolic response to painful history,” explains Rama Ata Gueye. Through this program, she intends to close the Door of No Return—that of Gorée Island—and reopen the door of hope and black resilience.
A pan-African pilgrimage combining culture, faith, and healing Rama Ata Gueye, the owner of the concept, founded this pilgrimage five years ago. It is based on three pillars: black culture, emotional psychology, and Islamic spirituality. The founder sums up this balance as a path to reconciliation between people of African descent and their deep roots.
The link between Rastafarianism and Mouridism was at the heart of the spiritual gathering in Touba, where the delegation was received by the General Khalife of the Mourides, Serigne Mountakha Mbacké. It was a highly symbolic audience, also attended by the Khalife of the Baay Faal. This was a commitment made four months ago during a previous exchange between Coach Rama and Touba.
Symbolic trophies: a victorious return and black excellence The festival was also an opportunity to honor major figures of black pride with two awards: The “Dambé Owon” Award for Black Excellence, presented to Cheikh Ahmadou Bamba Khadimou Rassoul for his spiritual work of liberation and resilience. The “Closing Door of No Return” award, given to Bob Marley, a global figure of African resistance and black unity.
A dense and symbolic ceremonial journey The pilgrimage program alternated between ceremonies, tributes, prayers, and moments of sharing: • Closing of the Door of No Return at the House of Slaves in Gorée. • African lunch and presentation of the Léopold Sédar Senghor Prize at the Museum of Black Civilizations. • Opening of the Door of Return in Rufisque with the diarafes and saltigués. • Spiritual visit to Touba for the reception of prayers and “preparation for the throne.” • Closing ceremony at the African Renaissance Monument, a symbol of elevation and unity.
Institutional support and recognition Despite the project’s ambitions, the ASPT (Senegalese Tourism Promotion Agency) was the only official sponsor of this edition. The organization points out that the call from Touba preceded any institutional support, emphasizing the spiritual and community significance of the pilgrimage. An African scene of hope Through SCENAFRIK, Rama Ata Gueye aims to make The Return festival an annual crossroads for agents of change on the continent, combining development, culture, and spirituality. An African renaissance driven by memory, knowledge, and faith.
