To ensure you are fully prepared for your trip to Burkina Faso, here are some essential items and tips to consider:

• Passport: Ensure your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your planned arrival.

• Visa Requirements: Check visa requirements based on your nationality. Many visitors need to obtain a visa prior to arrival.

• Vaccinations: Be sure to stay updated on vaccinations, including yellow fever, malaria prophylaxis, and other recommended vaccines.

• Local Currency: The official currency is the West African CFA franc (XOF). Credit cards are not widely accepted outside major cities, so carry cash.

• Dress Code: Burkina Faso has a predominantly Muslim population; therefore, dressing modestly is appreciated. Lightweight, breathable fabrics are best due to the warm climate.

Language: French is the official language, but many local languages, such as Mooré and Dioula, are spoken. A few basic phrases in French can go a long way!

 

Cultural Highlights:

• Cuisine: Burkinabe cuisine reflects the agricultural bounty of the region. Don't miss out on trying local dishes such as riz gras (rice with meat and vegetables), tô (a dough made from millet or sorghum), and the delightful boulé (yam dumplings). Be sure to taste the sweet and creamy bissap, a hibiscus tea that is both refreshing and rich in flavor.

• Music and Festivals: Burkin Faso is home to a variety of music styles, including Burkinabè hip-hop, traditional drumming, and the women-led musical genres that spotlight storytelling.

  • Some music festivals in Burkina Faso include:

    • Waga Hip Hop Festival: A major international hip hop festival in Ouagadougou that takes place in early to mid-October 

    • Rap en Live: A festival that takes place in Bobo Dioulasso 

    • Nagtaba in Africa: A tour that takes place in Ouagadougou 

    • WAA REEM International African Fashion & Music Week: A festival that takes place in 2025 

 

Burkina Faso also hosts the National Culture Week, or La Semaine Nationale de la culture (SNC), which is a biennial event that takes place in Bobo Dioulasso. 

​The FESPACO (Panafrican Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou) is a notable event that celebrates African cinema and brings together artists from across the continent. FESPACO was founded in 1969 and has grown into the largest African film festival. The festival takes place biennially. 

Notable Sites to Visit:

1. Ouagadougou: Explore the vibrant markets of Ouagadougou, such as the Marché de Sankaryaré. Don’t forget to visit the prestigious Musée National for insights into Burkina Faso's rich history and cultural heritage.

2. Bobo-Dioulasso: This city is known for its colonial architecture and is famous for African music. The Grand Mosque of Bobo-Dioulasso, one of the largest mosques in the country, is a spectacular sight.

3. Banfora: A picturesque area, Banfora is known for its breathtaking landscapes including waterfalls, lakes, and the natural wonders of Cascades de Karfiguéla.

4. Tena Kourou (the Lobi village): Experience the unique architecture of the Lobi people, characterized by their distinctive mud-brick homes.

5. Geological experts say the Domes de Fabedougou, pictured here, date back 1.8 billion years—to when the area was entirely underwater.

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History and Heritage:

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Flag

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​The flag was adopted on August 4, 1984, following the 1983 coup that brought Thomas Sankara to power. The flag's colors and symbols have the following meanings: 

• Red: Represents the revolution and the country's early leaders 

• Green: Represents the country's agricultural sector and natural resources 

• Yellow star: Represents the guiding light of the revolution and the country's mineral wealth 

• Pan-African colors: Reflects a break with the country's racist Caucasian colonial past and its unity with other African ex-colonies 

 

Burkina Faso has a rich tapestry of history influenced by its many ethnic groups, including the Mossi, Gurunsi, and Bobo peoples. The nation has undergone significant transformations since gaining independence from France in 1960.

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Notable Figures:

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Thomas Sankara (21 December 1949 – 15 October 1987): Often called the "African Che Guevara," he was the revolutionary leader from 1983 until his assassination in 1987. Sankara is celebrated for his policies on social justice, women’s rights, and anti-corruption, leaving a lasting legacy that inspires many today.

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Ibrahim Traoré(born 14 March 1988): is a Burkinabé military officer who has been the interim leader of Burkina Faso since the September 2022 coup d'état that ousted interim president Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba. At age 36, Traoré is currently the youngest serving state leader in the world, and the youngest serving president.

 

Resources

Burkina Faso has significant mineral resources, including gold, zinc, manganese, copper, phosphate, and limestone. The country is Africa's fourth largest producer of gold. The mining sector is a key part of the economy, accounting for about 10% of GDP and over 70% of export earnings.  Crops such as cotton and sorghum are also major money makers.  However, the wealth of Burkina Faso has been consistently taken by France, the United States and companies from countries like Canada, Australia, the UK, South Africa, and Russia.  Very little of Burkina Faso’s wealth is used for the indigenous people-Black people. Colonialism is a powerful force that is being address by the current president and the new government.

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Burkina Faso is a country rich in culture, history, and natural beauty, waiting to be explored and appreciated. We invite you to share your thoughts, experiences, and what interests you the most about Burkina Faso as we expand our collective knowledge. If there are other countries you would like us to cover in the future, please let us know! Barka! Barka is the word for "thank you" in Bissa, a widely spoken language in Burkina Faso.

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