Historical and Political Overview
• Thomas Sankara’s Leadership (1983-1987): Captain Thomas Sankara came to
power in 1983, implementing progressive reforms focused on self-sufficiency, anti-imperialism,
and social welfare. He renamed the country from Upper Volta to Burkina Faso, meaning “Land
of Incorruptible People.” Sankara’s tenure ended abruptly in 1987 when he was assassinated
during a coup led by his close associate, Blaise Compaoré.
• Blaise Compaoré’s Era (1987-2014): Following the coup, Compaoré assumed
the presidency, reversing many of Sankara’s policies. His 27-year rule was characterized by
allegations of human rights abuses and suppression of dissent. In 2014, attempts to extend his
presidency led to mass protests, resulting in his resignation and exile to Côte d’Ivoire.
• Roch Marc Christian Kaboré’s Presidency (2015-2022): Elected in 2015,
Kaboré’s administration faced escalating security challenges due to Islamist insurgencies.
Criticism over the government’s handling of the crisis culminated in a military coup in January
2022, leading to his ousting.
• Captain Ibrahim Traoré’s Leadership (2022-Present): In September 2022,
Captain Ibrahim Traoré led a second coup, citing the deteriorating security situation. His tenure
has been marked by efforts to combat insurgencies, including the use of Turkish and Russian
drones, and a shift towards traditional practices, such as replacing colonial-era judicial robes
with locally made garments.
Despite ongoing challenges, Burkina Faso continues to uphold its cultural identity and
resilience, drawing strength from its rich history and communal values.
Burkina Faso is a linguistically diverse nation with approximately 70 languages spoken across
the country, of which about 66 are indigenous. The official language is French, a legacy of
colonial rule, used in government, education, and formal communications. However, French is
spoken as a home language by only about 2% of the population.
Among the indigenous languages, Mooré is the most widely spoken, used by approximately
52.5% of the population, primarily by the Mossi ethnic group in the central regions around the
capital, Ouagadougou.
Other significant languages include:
• Fula (Fulfulde): Spoken by about 8% of the population, mainly by the Fulani
people.
• Dioula (Jula): Serving as a trade language, it’s spoken by around 6% of the
population, particularly in commerce and marketplaces.
• Gourmanché: Used by the Gourmantché people in the eastern part of the
country.
• Bissa: Spoken by the Bissa community in the south.
In January 2024, a constitutional amendment demoted French from its status as the official
language to a “working language” alongside English, reflecting ongoing efforts to promote
indigenous languages and reduce colonial influences.
Here are some additional intriguing facts about Burkina Faso:
• Landlocked Geography: Burkina Faso is surrounded by six countries: Mali to the
north, Niger to the east, Benin to the southeast, Togo and Ghana to the south, and Côte d’Ivoire
to the southwest.
• Former Name: Prior to 1984, the nation was known as Upper Volta. President
Thomas Sankara renamed it Burkina Faso, meaning “Land of Incorruptible People.”
• High Fertility Rate: The country has one of the highest fertility rates globally, with
an average of 4.8 children born per woman.
• Youthful Demographics: With an average age of 17, Burkina Faso has one of the
youngest populations worldwide.
• Cultural Festivals: The Recréâtrales international theater festival in
Ouagadougou brings together artists from Africa and Europe, transforming public spaces into
vibrant performance areas and offering solace amidst the country’s challenges.
• Traditional Attire in Judiciary: In a move reflecting anti-colonial sentiments,
Burkinabé magistrates have replaced French-style black satin robes with traditional garments
made from locally sourced cotton, known as faso dan fani.
• Poetry Slams as Expression: Amid socio-economic challenges, young Burkinabé
are turning to poetry slams to voice their frustrations and resilience, blending traditional oral
performance with contemporary issues.
These facets highlight Burkina Faso’s rich linguistic landscape and the vibrant cultural practices
that continue to thrive despite various challenges.
Burkina Faso’s name is a mix of two languages. “Burkina” is from the Mossi language, meaning
“honest” or “upright,” while “Faso” comes from the Dioula language, meaning “fatherland.”
Together, it means “Land of the Incorruptible People.”
• The country has no coastline, but it has a special “hippopotamus lake” called Lac
Tengrela, where you can see hippos up close in their natural habitat.
• There’s a village run entirely by women! The village of Tiébélé is known for its
beautiful, hand-painted houses and is traditionally led by women who manage family and
economic affairs.
• Burkina Faso is a movie powerhouse in Africa. It hosts FESPACO (Pan-African
Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou), the biggest film festival in Africa, which started in
1969.
• They built a giant, sacred crocodile pond. The village of Bazoulé has a pond
where people live peacefully alongside crocodiles. Locals even sit on them for photos because
they believe the crocs are magical and bring good luck!
• It has one of the biggest craft markets in West Africa. The Ouagadougou Grand
Market is famous for handmade leather goods, bronze statues, and intricate jewelry.
• Burkina Faso has one of the world’s largest gold reserves. It’s one of Africa’s top
gold producers, but sadly, a lot of the profits don’t go to the people due to corruption and illegal
mining.
• People still use masks for spiritual ceremonies. The Bobo and Gurunsi ethnic
groups create elaborate masks that represent spirits, animals, and ancestors, used in sacred
rituals.
• The Burkinabé are known for their hospitality. There’s even a saying: “A stranger
is a gift from God.” When you visit, people often greet you warmly and invite you for food or tea.
• Some Burkinabé people still practice traditional storytelling. The griot (storyteller)
is an important figure who passes down history and lessons through music and poetry.
“Jamtan” – This means “peace” and is often used as a casual greeting, like saying “hello” or
“how are you?”
The name Yousra (also spelled Yusra) is of Arabic origin and means “ease,” “prosperity,” or
“success.” It comes from the Arabic root ( ُيسرyusr), which signifies ease, comfort, and wealth.
It is often associated with the Quranic phrase:
“Fa inna ma’al ‘usri yusra” (– )َفِإَّن َمَع اْلُعْس ِر ُيْس ًر ا
“Indeed, with hardship comes ease.” (Surah Al-Inshirah 94:6)
