A Cultural Overview
Burkina Faso, meaning “land of honest men,” is known for its diverse ethnic makeup and cultural richness. Despite economic challenges, it boasts a strong sense of national pride and cultural identity.
Ethnicity and Language: Major ethnic groups include the Mossi, Fulani, Bobo, and Mandinka. French is the official language, with indigenous languages such as Mooré, Dioula, and Fulfulde also spoken.
Culture and Heritage: The country is renowned for its music, particularly the use of traditional instruments like the balafon. It also has a vibrant film industry, with the FESPACO film festival being the largest in Africa. Traditional crafts and textiles, such as the Bogolan (mud cloth), are significant cultural expressions.
Social Fabric: Burkina Faso’s social structure is deeply communal, with a strong emphasis on family and ethnic traditions. The concept of community solidarity, or “Laafi,” is central to the Burkinabé way of life.
Where Burkina Faso is on the Map of Africa
Burkina Faso at a Glance
Independence: 5th August 1960
Capital: Ouagadougou
Population: 20,321,378
Languages: Mossi, Dyula, French
Area: 274,200 square kilometres
Provinces: Boucle du Mouhoun, Cascades, Centre-Est, Centre-Nord, Centre-Ouest, Centre-Sud, Est, Hauts-Bassins, Nord, Plateau-Central, Sahel and Sud-Ouest
Ethnic groups: 51% Mossi, 8.4% Fula, 2.4% Lobi, 4.9% Bobo, 0.8% Dioula, 4.5% Senufo, 4.6% Gurunsi, 7% Gurma, 1.9% Tuareg
Burkina Faso is bordered by Mali to the northwest, Niger to the northeast, Benin to the southeast, Togo and Ghana to the south, and the Ivory Coast to the southwest