festivites
Here are some of the major festivities and holidays in Burkina Faso:
1. Independence Day: Celebrated on August 5th, this holiday commemorates Burkina Faso's independence from France in 1960. The day is celebrated with parades, speeches, cultural performances, and other public events across the country.
2. Eid al-Fitr: This is a Muslim holiday that marks the end of Ramadan, the month of fasting. It is celebrated with prayers, feasting, and exchanging gifts. The date of the holiday varies each year depending on the Islamic calendar.
3. Tabaski (Eid al-Adha): Another important Muslim holiday, Tabaski commemorates the willingness of Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son, as an act of obedience to God. It is marked by the sacrifice of animals, usually sheep or cows, and the sharing of meat with family, friends, and the poor.
4. FESPACO: The Pan-African Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou is the largest film festival in Africa and takes place every two years in Ouagadougou, the capital city. It celebrates African cinema and culture and attracts filmmakers and movie enthusiasts from across the continent and beyond.
5. Nako'belem: This traditional festival of the Mossi people takes place during the dry season in various villages throughout Burkina Faso. It involves singing, dancing, and storytelling, as well as the reenactment of historical and mythical events.
6. International Women's Day: Celebrated globally on March 8th, this day recognizes the social, economic, political, and cultural achievements of women. In Burkina Faso, it is marked with rallies, marches, and other events advocating for women's rights and gender equality.
These celebrations and holidays are typically marked by colorful displays of traditional clothing and food, music and dance performances, as well as other cultural activities that celebrate Burkina Faso's rich history and diversity.
seasons
Burkina Faso has two main tourist seasons:
1. Dry season (November to February): This is the peak tourist season in Burkina Faso, with sunny and dry weather. The Harmattan winds can cause dust storms and lower visibility, but it generally provides a pleasant and cooler atmosphere than the hot and humid months. It is recommended to bring warm clothes for the evenings, as temperatures can drop significantly.
2. Wet season (June to September): This season has heavy rainfall with high humidity and warm temperatures. Some tourists may find these conditions uncomfortable, but it's also when nature is at its most vibrant. It is important to note that travel can be more challenging during this time of year due to roads becoming submerged or inaccessible.
Overall, if you prefer cooler temperatures and less rain, it is best to visit Burkina Faso during the dry season. However, if you want to witness lush green landscapes and enjoy fewer crowds, then the wet season might be a good option.
visa
Citizens of most countries require a visa to enter Burkina Faso. The requirements and costs for obtaining a visa vary depending on the country of citizenship, but here are some general rules:
1. Visa-on-arrival: Citizens of some countries can obtain a visa on arrival at the airport in Ouagadougou, the capital city of Burkina Faso. The cost of a visa on arrival is around $150 USD.
2. Pre-arranged visa: Citizens of other countries need to apply for a visa in advance through the nearest Burkina Faso embassy or consulate. The cost of a pre-arranged visa varies depending on the country of application and the type of visa required, but it is typically around $100-$150 USD.
3. Yellow fever vaccination: All visitors to Burkina Faso are required to show proof of yellow fever vaccination upon arrival. The cost of a yellow fever vaccine varies depending on the country of vaccination, but it is typically between $50-$100 USD.
It's important to note that these rules and costs may change over time, so it's always a good idea to check with the nearest Burkina Faso embassy or consulate for the most up-to-date information.
souvenirs
Some popular souvenirs to buy from Burkina Faso include:
1. Handcrafted masks - Prices can range from $20-$200 depending on the size and intricacy of the design. They can be found in local markets, such as the Grand Market in Ouagadougou.
2. Hand-woven baskets - Prices can range from $5-$50 depending on the size and complexity of the design. They can be found in various markets throughout the country.
3. Jewelry - Prices vary based on the material and design, but typically range from $10-$50. You can find handmade jewelry at various markets and artisan shops in cities like Ouagadougou and Bobo-Dioulasso.
4. Wooden carvings - Prices can range from $10-$100 depending on the size and complexity of the carving. They can be found in local markets and artisan shops.
5. Shea butter products - Prices vary depending on the product, but typically range from $5-$20. You can find shea butter products in markets and stores throughout the country.
It's important to keep in mind that prices can vary depending on where you buy these souvenirs and your bargaining skills. So, be sure to shop around and negotiate for the best price possible.
If you have 1 week
Thank you for sharing your location with me! Based on Burkina Faso's location in West Africa, I suggest the following itinerary for your one-week trip:
Day 1: Ouagadougou - Start your trip by exploring the capital city of Burkina Faso. Visit the National Museum of Music and take a tour of the nearby artisan village to see traditional handicrafts being made. Grab lunch at one of the local restaurants before heading to the Bangr-Weoogo Urban Park to relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery.
Day 2: Banfora - Take a day trip to the town of Banfora, located in southwestern Burkina Faso. Here, you'll find the incredible Karfiguela Waterfalls and the Domes de Fabedougou rock formations. You can also visit the nearby Lake Tengrela to see hippos and other wildlife.
Day 3: Sindou Peaks - Continue your exploration of Burkina Faso's natural beauty by visiting the Sindou Peaks, a stunning set of rocky formations in the southwest. Take a guided tour to learn about the area's geology and history while taking in the breathtaking views.
Day 4: Bobo-Dioulasso - Head to Burkina Faso's second-largest city, Bobo-Dioulasso, for a taste of the country's vibrant culture. Visit the Grand Mosque and the Kibidwe artisans' quarter to see traditional crafts being made. In the evening, check out one of the local bars or clubs to experience Burkina Faso's nightlife.
Day 5: Nazinga Game Reserve - Take a safari tour at the Nazinga Game Reserve, where you'll have the opportunity to spot elephants, lions, antelopes, and other wildlife. The reserve is home to over 20,000 animals, making it a must-visit destination for animal lovers.
Day 6: Gaoua - Travel to the town of Gaoua, located in southwestern Burkina Faso. Here, you can visit the Lobi villages to learn about the culture and traditions of the local population. You can also see the famous "witches' village" of Laongo, where artists have created a sculpture park with works inspired by Lobi legends and myths.
Day 7: Ouagadougou - Return to the capital city for your final day in Burkina Faso. Spend the day shopping for souvenirs at one of the local markets, such as the Grand Marché, before enjoying a farewell dinner at a traditional restaurant.
I hope this itinerary gives you some inspiration for your trip to Burkina Faso! These destinations were chosen for their unique cultural and natural offerings, allowing you to experience the best of what this beautiful country has to offer. Enjoy your trip!
If you have 2 weeks
Great to hear that you are in Burkina Faso. I suggest you spend the first few days exploring the capital city of Ouagadougou, where you can immerse yourself in the vibrant culture and history of the country. You can visit the National Museum of Burkina Faso, which displays a collection of traditional masks, musical instruments, and other artifacts that showcase the rich cultural heritage of the country. You can also stroll around the Grand Marché, where you can find everything from fresh produce to handmade crafts.
After exploring the capital, I recommend taking a trip to the Banfora Cascades in the southwest of the country. The cascades consist of several waterfalls, including Karfiguéla, which is over 300 feet high. You can take a swim in the natural swimming pools and also go for a boat ride on the Lake Tengréla nearby. If you are feeling adventurous, you can also climb the Sindou Peaks, which are unusual rock formations that rise up to 500 feet above the surrounding plains.
Next, I suggest taking a two-day excursion to the Arli National Park located southeast of the country, near the border with Benin. This park is home to diverse wildlife, including elephants, lions, giraffes, and antelopes. You can take a guided safari tour through the park, where you will get a chance to see these majestic animals up close in their natural habitats.
Finally, I suggest visiting the Gourma Province in the east of the country, which is known for its unique architecture and traditional mud-brick houses. You can visit the village of Tiébélé, which has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site, and admire the intricate geometric designs painted on the walls of the houses. You can also visit the nearby market town of Fada N'Gourma, where you can find beautiful handmade textiles and other local crafts.
Overall, this two-week itinerary will give you a chance to explore the diverse landscapes, cultures, and wildlife of Burkina Faso. It will be an unforgettable experience that will leave you with a deep appreciation for this beautiful country.
Culture
Literature in Burkina Faso is based on the oral tradition, which remains important. In 1934, during French occupation, Dim-Dolobsom Ouedraogo published his Maximes, pensées et devinettes mossi (Maximes, Thoughts and Riddles of the Mossi), a record of the oral history of the Mossi people.
The oral tradition continued to have an influence on Burkinabè writers in the post-independence Burkina Faso of the 1960s, such as Nazi Boni and Roger Nikiema. The 1960s saw a growth in the number of playwrights being published. Since the 1970s, literature has developed in Burkina Faso with many more writers being published.
The theatre of Burkina Faso combines traditional Burkinabè performance with the colonial influences and post-colonial efforts to educate rural people to produce a distinctive national theatre. Traditional ritual ceremonies of the many ethnic groups in Burkina Faso have long involved dancing with masks. Western-style theatre became common during colonial times, heavily influenced by French theatre. With independence came a new style of theatre inspired by forum theatre aimed at educating and entertaining Burkina Faso's rural people. Slam poetry is increasing in popularity in the country, in part due to the efforts of slam poet Malika Outtara. She uses her skills to raise awareness around issues such as blood donation, albinism and the impact of COVID-19.
In addition to several rich traditional artistic heritages among the peoples, there is a large artist community in Burkina Faso, especially in Ouagadougou. Much of the crafts produced are for the country's growing tourist industry.
Burkina Faso also hosts the International Art and Craft Fair, Ouagadougou. It is better known by its French name as SIAO, Le Salon International de l' Artisanat de Ouagadougou, and is one of the most important African handicraft fairs.
Typical of West African cuisine, Burkina Faso's cuisine is based on staple foods of sorghum, millet, rice, maize, peanuts, potatoes, beans, yams and okra. The most common sources of animal protein are chicken, chicken eggs and freshwater fish. A typical Burkinabè beverage is Banji or Palm Wine, which is fermented palm sap; and Zoom-kom, or "grain water" purportedly the national drink of Burkina Faso. Zoom-kom is milky-looking and whitish, having a water and cereal base, best drunk with ice cubes. In the more rural regions, in the outskirts of Burkina, you would find Dolo, which is drink made from fermented millet.
The cinema of Burkina Faso is an important part of West African and African film industry. Burkina's contribution to African cinema started with the establishment of the film festival FESPACO (Festival Panafricain du Cinéma et de la Télévision de Ouagadougou), which was launched as a film week in 1969. Many of the nation's filmmakers are known internationally and have won international prizes.
For many years the headquarters of the Federation of Panafrican Filmmakers (FEPACI) was in Ouagadougou, rescued in 1983 from a period of moribund inactivity by the enthusiastic support and funding of President Sankara. (In 2006 the Secretariat of FEPACI moved to South Africa, but the headquarters of the organization is still in Ouagadougou.) Among the best known directors from Burkina Faso are Gaston Kaboré, Idrissa Ouedraogo and Dani Kouyate. Burkina produces popular television series such as Les Bobodiouf. Internationally known filmmakers such as Ouedraogo, Kabore, Yameogo, and Kouyate make popular television series.
Sport in Burkina Faso is widespread and includes soccer, basketball, cycling, rugby union, handball, tennis, boxing and martial arts. Soccer is the most popular sport in Burkina Faso, played both professionally, and informally in towns and villages across the country. The national team is nicknamed "Les Etalons" ("the Stallions") in reference to the legendary horse of Princess Yennenga.
In 1998, Burkina Faso hosted the Africa Cup of Nations for which the Omnisport Stadium in Bobo-Dioulasso was built. Burkina Faso qualified for the 2013 African Cup of Nations in South Africa and reached the final, but then lost to Nigeria 0–1. The country is currently ranked 53rd in the FIFA World Rankings, and has shown improvement in recent years, although they have never qualified for a FIFA World Cup.
Basketball is another sport which enjoys much popularity for both men and women. The country's men's national team had its most successful year in 2013 when it qualified for the AfroBasket, the continent's prime basketball event.
At the 2020 Summer Olympics, the athlete Hugues Fabrice Zango won Burkina Faso's first Olympic medal, winning bronze in the men's triple jump. Cricket is also picking up in Burkina Faso with Cricket Burkina Faso running a 10 club league.
The music of Burkina Faso includes the folk music of 60 different ethnic groups. The Mossi people, centrally located around the capital, Ouagadougou, account for 40% of the population while, to the south, Gurunsi, Gurma, Dagaaba and Lobi populations, speaking Gur languages closely related to the Mossi language, extend into the coastal states. In the north and east the Fulani of the Sahel preponderate, while in the south and west the Mande languages are common; Samo, Bissa, Bobo, Senufo and Marka. Burkinabé traditional music has continued to thrive and musical output remains quite diverse. Popular music is mostly in French: Burkina Faso has yet to produce a major pan-African success.
The nation's principal media outlet is its state-sponsored combined television and radio service, Radiodiffusion-Télévision Burkina (RTB). RTB broadcasts on two medium-wave (AM) and several FM frequencies. Besides RTB, there are privately owned sports, cultural, music, and religious FM radio stations. RTB maintains a worldwide short-wave news broadcast (Radio Nationale Burkina) in the French language from the capital at Ouagadougou using a 100 kW transmitter on 4.815 and 5.030 MHz.
Attempts to develop an independent press and media in Burkina Faso have been intermittent. In 1998, investigative journalist Norbert Zongo, his brother Ernest, his driver, and another man were assassinated by unknown assailants, and the bodies burned. The crime was never solved. However, an independent Commission of Inquiry later concluded that Norbert Zongo was killed for political reasons because of his investigative work into the death of David Ouedraogo, a chauffeur who worked for François Compaoré, President Blaise Compaoré's brother.
In January 1999, François Compaoré was charged with the murder of David Ouedraogo, who had died as a result of torture in January 1998. The charges were later dropped by a military tribunal after an appeal. In August 2000, five members of the President's personal security guard detail (Régiment de la Sécurité Présidentielle, or RSP) were charged with the murder of Ouedraogo. RSP members Marcel Kafando, Edmond Koama, and Ousseini Yaro, investigated as suspects in the Norbert Zongo assassination, were convicted in the Ouedraogo case and sentenced to lengthy prison terms.
Since the death of Norbert Zongo, several protests regarding the Zongo investigation and treatment of journalists have been prevented or dispersed by government police and security forces. In April 2007, popular radio reggae host Karim Sama, whose programs feature reggae songs interspersed with critical commentary on alleged government injustice and corruption, received several death threats.
Sama's personal car was later burned outside the private radio station Ouaga FM by unknown vandals. In response, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) wrote to President Compaoré to request his government investigate the sending of e-mailed death threats to journalists and radio commentators in Burkina Faso who were critical of the government. In December 2008, police in Ouagadougou questioned leaders of a protest march that called for a renewed investigation into the unsolved Zongo assassination. Among the marchers was Jean-Claude Meda, the president of the Association of Journalists of Burkina Faso.
Every two years, Ouagadougou hosts the Panafrican Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou (FESPACO), the largest African cinema festival on the continent (February, odd years).
Held every two years since 1988, the International Art and Craft Fair, Ouagadougou (SIAO), is one of Africa's most important trade shows for art and handicrafts (late October-early November, even years).
Also every two years, the Symposium de sculpture sur granit de Laongo takes place on a site located about 35 km from Ouagadougou, in the province of Oubritenga.
The National Culture Week of Burkina Faso, better known by its French name La Semaine Nationale de la culture (SNC), is one of the most important cultural activities of Burkina Faso. It is a biennial event which takes place every two years in Bobo Dioulasso, the second-largest city in the country.
The Festival International des Masques et des Arts (FESTIMA), celebrating traditional masks, is held every two years in Dédougou.
Religion
Statistics on religion in Burkina Faso can be misleading because Islam and Christianity are often practiced in tandem with indigenous religious beliefs. The government of Burkina Faso's 2019 census reported that 63.8% of the population practice Islam, and that the majority of this group belong to the Sunni branch, while a small minority adheres to Shia Islam. A significant number of Sunni Muslims identify with the Tijaniyah Sufi order.
The 2019 census also found that 26.3% of the population are Christians (20.1% being Roman Catholics and 6.2% members of Protestant denominations); 9.0% follow traditional indigenous beliefs such as the Dogon religion, 0.2% have other religions, and 0.7% have none.
Animists are the largest religious group in the country's Sud-Ouest region, forming 48.1% of its total population.
Demographics
Burkina Faso is an ethnically integrated, secular state where most people are concentrated in the south and centre, where their density sometimes exceeds 48 PD/km2. Hundreds of thousands of Burkinabè migrate regularly to Ivory Coast and Ghana, mainly for seasonal agricultural work. These flows of workers are affected by external events; the September 2002 coup attempt in Ivory Coast and the ensuing fighting meant that hundreds of thousands of Burkinabè returned to Burkina Faso. The regional economy suffered when they were unable to work.
In 2015, most of the population belonged to "one of two West African ethnic cultural groups: the Voltaic and the Mandé. Voltaic Mossi make up about 50% of the population and are descended from warriors who moved to the area from Ghana around 1100, establishing an empire that lasted over 800 years".
The total fertility rate of Burkina Faso is 5.93 children born per woman (2014 estimates), the sixth highest in the world.
In 2009 the U.S. Department of State's Trafficking in Persons Report reported that slavery in Burkina Faso continued to exist and that Burkinabè children were often the victims. Slavery in the Sahel states in general, is an entrenched institution with a long history that dates back to the trans-Saharan slave trade. In 2018, an estimated 82,000 people in the country were living under "modern slavery" according to the Global Slavery Index.
Burkina Faso's 17.3 million people belong to two major West African ethnic cultural groups—the Voltaic and the Mandé (whose common language is Dioula). The Voltaic Mossi make up about one-half of the population. The Mossi claim descent from warriors who migrated to present-day Burkina Faso from northern Ghana around 1100 AD. They established an empire that lasted more than 800 years. Predominantly farmers, the Mossi kingdom is led by the Mogho Naba, whose court is in Ouagadougou.
Burkina Faso is a multilingual country. The official language is French, which was introduced during the colonial period. French is the principal language of administrative, political and judicial institutions, public services, and the press. It is the only language for laws, administration and courts. Altogether, an estimated 69 languages are spoken in the country, of which about 60 languages are indigenous. The Mooré language is the most spoken language in Burkina Faso, spoken by about half the population, mainly in the central region around the capital, Ouagadougou.
According to the 2006 Census, the languages spoken natively in Burkina Faso were Mooré by 40.5% of the population, Fula by 29.3%, Gourmanché by 6.1%, Bambara by 4.9%, Bissa by 3.2%, Bwamu by 2.1%, Dagara by 2%, San by 1.9%, Lobiri with 1.8%, Lyélé with 1.7%, Bobo and Sénoufo with 1.4% each, Nuni by 1.2%, Dafing by 1.1%, Tamasheq by 1%, Kassem by 0.7%, Gouin by 0.4%, Dogon, Songhai, and Gourounsi by 0.3% each, Ko, Koussassé, Sembla, and Siamou by 0.1% each, other national languages by 5%, other African languages by 0.2%, French (the official language) by 1.3%, and other non-indigenous languages by 0.1%.
In the west, Mandé languages are widely spoken, the most predominant being Dioula (also known as Jula or Dyula), others including Bobo, Samo, and Marka. Fula is widespread, particularly in the north. Gourmanché is spoken in the east, while Bissa is spoken in the south.
In 2016, the average life expectancy was estimated at 60 for males and 61 for females. In 2018, the under-five mortality rate and the infant mortality rate was 76 per 1000 live births. In 2014, the median age of its inhabitants was 17 and the estimated population growth rate was 3.05%.
In 2011, health expenditures was 6.5% of GDP; the maternal mortality ratio was estimated at 300 deaths per 100000 live births and the physician density at 0.05 per 1000 population in 2010. In 2012, it was estimated that the adult HIV prevalence rate (ages 15–49) was 1.0%. According to the 2011 UNAIDS Report, HIV prevalence is declining among pregnant women who attend antenatal clinics. According to a 2005 World Health Organization report, an estimated 72.5% of Burkina Faso's girls and women have had female genital mutilation, administered according to traditional rituals.
Central government spending on health was 3% in 2001. , studies estimated there were as few as 10 physicians per 100,000 people. In addition, there were 41 nurses and 13 midwives per 100,000 people. Demographic and Health Surveys has completed three surveys in Burkina Faso since 1993, and had another in 2009.
A Dengue fever outbreak in 2016 killed 20 patients. Cases of the disease were reported from all 12 districts of Ouagadougou.
Statistics on religion in Burkina Faso can be misleading because Islam and Christianity are often practiced in tandem with indigenous religious beliefs. The government of Burkina Faso's 2019 census reported that 63.8% of the population practice Islam, and that the majority of this group belong to the Sunni branch, while a small minority adheres to Shia Islam. A significant number of Sunni Muslims identify with the Tijaniyah Sufi order.
The 2019 census also found that 26.3% of the population are Christians (20.1% being Roman Catholics and 6.2% members of Protestant denominations); 9.0% follow traditional indigenous beliefs such as the Dogon religion, 0.2% have other religions, and 0.7% have none.
Animists are the largest religious group in the country's Sud-Ouest region, forming 48.1% of its total population.
Education in Burkina Faso is divided into primary, secondary and higher education. High school costs approximately CFA 25,000 (US$50) per year, which is far above the means of most Burkinabè families. Boys receive preference in schooling; as such, girls' education and literacy rates are far lower than their male counterparts. An increase in girls' schooling has been observed because of the government's policy of making school cheaper for girls and granting them more scholarships.
To proceed from primary to middle school, middle to high school or high school to college, national exams must be passed. Institutions of higher education include the University of Ouagadougou, The Polytechnic University of Bobo-Dioulasso, and the University of Koudougou, which is also a teacher training institution. There are some small private colleges in the capital city of Ouagadougou but these are affordable to only a small portion of the population.
There is also the International School of Ouagadougou (ISO), an American-based private school located in Ouagadougou.
The 2008 UN Development Program Report ranked Burkina Faso as the country with the lowest level of literacy in the world, despite a concerted effort to double its literacy rate from 12.8% in 1990 to 25.3% in 2008.
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