Here are some of the basic facts about Burkina Faso:
Capital and largest city: Ouagadougou (962,100) Official language: French and regional languages Independence from France: August 5, 1930 Area: 105,792 sq miles--about the size of Colorado Population: 15,746,232 (estimate) Density: 148.9 per sq mile Main exports: cotton, animal products, gold Ethnic groups: 63 ethnic groups among which are the Mossi that make up half of the total Climate: pronounced wet and dry seasons Natural resources: Manganese, gold, limestone, marble, phosphate, zinc and uranium Industry: 24% of GDP: mining, agriculture, agriculture processing plants, brewing and bottling, light industry Exports: $404 million cotton, gold, livestock, peanuts, shea nut products
Introduction
Burkina Faso, once known as Upper Volta, and as the longtime kingdom of the Mossi people, was colonized by the French in the late 1800's. Its name was changed when Upper Volta gained independence from France in 1960, and it subsequently suffered from numerous military coups that ended with countrywide election in 1992.
With a high population density (148.9 per sq mile) and limited natural resources, most of the citizens remain economically suppressed. Local health conditions are generally poor in the rural areas. The infant mortality rate is 86.2 per 1,000, and life expectancy is 59.2.
Burkina Faso has West Africa's largest elephant population. Game Preserves are home to lions, hippos, monkeys, warthogs and antelope, but tourism is not well developed.
Geography
Burkina Faso is a landlocked country located in the middle of West Africa's hump. It is located in the agricultural region between the Sahara Desert and the coastal rain forests. Most of central Burkina Faso lies on a savanna plateau 650 feet above sea level, with fields, brush and scattered trees.
The Black, Red and White Voltas are the major rivers that flow south into Ghana. The largest river, the Mouhoun (Black Volta), is partially navigable by small craft.
The highest point is Tena Kouron at 2,451.
Seasons and Rainfall
Annual rainfall varies from about 40 inches in the south to less than 10 inches in the north and northeast, where hot desert winds blow. The cooler season, November to February, is warm and dry but dusty, with cool evenings. March to June can be hot, but July is especially hot. In September, the rains bring a 3-month cooler and greener wet season.
People
Burkina Faso's 15.2 million people belong to two major cultural groups, the Voltaic Mossi and the Mande. The Mossi make up about one half of the population. They claim descent from warriors, who migrated from Ghana and established an empire that lasted more than 600 years.
Most of Burkina's people are concentrated in the south and center of the country. Thousands of Burkinabe migrate to the Ivory Coast and Bhana, many as seasonal agriculture migrant workers.
A Burkina Faso Village
Education
Burkina Faso is reported to have the second highest illiteracy rate in the world which was estimated to be 26% in 2009. In theory, school is free and compulsory until the age of 16, but only about 72.5% of primary school-age children are enrolled in primary school due to costs of supplies, fees, and lack of school buildings and teachers--only about 40.7% complete primary school.
Three universities are noted. The university of Ouagadougou, founded in 1974, was the country's first institution of higher education. A Polytechnical University was opened on Bobo-Doulasso in 1995, and the University of Koudougou was founded in 2005 as a teacher training school.
Religion
The Government estimated in 1996 that 60% of the population practices Islam and that the majority of this group belong to the Sunni branch. They also estimate that 24% of the population maintains traditional beliefs, 17% practice Roman Catholicism and 3% are members of various Protest denominations. A common proverb claims that "50% are Christian, 50% are Muslim and 100% are animists!"
Food
Cuisine of Burkino Faso is based around staple foods of sorghum, millet, rice, corn, peanuts, potatoes, beans, yams and okra. Everything is served with a sauce. There is sauce with rice, vegetable sauce with rice, a fish-based sauce, sauce with beef and eggplant, and sauce with mutton an tomatoes. In rural areas, bush rat, with or without sauce, is considered a delicacy.
Music and Culture
A Mossi Mask
The popular Theatre of Ouagadougou is the center of social and cultural events for the country. Ouagadougou is a major hub of activity for those involved in African cinema, and hosts a Pan-African film festival called FEXPACO, the Pan-African Film and Television Festival. It is a world of renowned affair. Culture and arts are further displayed at Laongo, an area of exposed granite where artists from the entire world are invited to sculpt on the rock.
Each ethnic group has its own artistic style, but the art of the Mossi, Bobo and Lobi are the most famous. The Mossi are known for their antelope masks, impressively tall masks, which are over 7 ft high and painted in red or white. The Bobo make large butterfly masks, painted in stripes of red, white and black, that are used to invoke the diety Do in fertility ceremonies. They are worn horizontally. The Lobi have one of the best preserved traditions in Africa-the dyoro initiation rites for young boys. Lobi art, especially the wood carvings which protect the family, are highly valued.
Bobo Butterfly Mask
International Film Festival
Burkina Faso had led the wan in the renaissance of African art and culture. The FESCACP Film Festival, occurring every two years, had a humble beginning in 1969, but has since grown to become a chic West African version of Hollywood. A different cultural festival occurring in the non-FESPACO years covers other artistic pursuits: music, dancing and theater. As an adjunct to this, Burkina Faso hosts the continent's largest craft market.
The International Art and Craft Fair at Ouagadougou
The country hosts the International Arts and Crafts Fair, known by its French name as SIAO--Le Salon International d'Ouagadougou. It is one of the most important African handicraft fairs in the world.
The government of Burkina Faso created the SIAO
for two purposes. They decided to create a framework for the promotion
and eschange of African handicrafts that would be the means to access
the international market. The also wanted to train the craftsmen for
self promotion. The first trade show was held February 27, 1988.
Financial assistance from the European Development Fund brought together
244 Burkinabe craftsmen and 20 exhibiting countries. The next one was
held in 1990. There were 270 exhibiting stands and 187 Burkinabe
exhibiting batik, painting, bronze, basket making, sculpting, furniture,
textiles, shoe making, arms manufacturing, pottery, jewelry, ceramics,
traditional medicine, agricultural tools, energy invention, etc.
The next SIAQ will take place from 29th October to the 10th of November 2010.
The major products displayed during each SIAO are calabash art products, jewelry products, bronze and iron products, textiles and apparel products, musical instruments, toys, leather products, furniture and home decor products, painting and batik, pottery, ceramics, recycled crafts and stone and wood sculpture.
Trays Made From Recycled Materials
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Slow Mail with Love Letters from Africa Tell the Story
By: Gene B. Little
