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| Burkina Faso Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see photo Burkina Faso is a landlocked country in West Africa, formerly known as Upper Volta. It is a very relaxed place to be and the people are very friendly. It may not have as many sights as Mali but still makes for good traveling with fascinating landscapes and wildlife. Major cities are Bobo-dioulasso and the capital Ouagadougou world66.com does not have an editor for this region. If you are interested click here. |
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| _______History Edit This i Until the end of the 19th century the history of Burkina Faso was controlled by the empire-building Mossi who are believed to have come from central and eastern Africa sometime in the 11th century. For centuries the Mossi peasant was both farmer and soldier and the Mossi people were able to defend their religious beliefs and social structure against forcible attempts to convert them to Islam by Muslims from the northwest. When the French arrived and claimed the area in 1896 Mossi resistance ended with the capture of their capital at Ouagadougou. In 1919 certain provinces from Cote d'Ivoire were united into a separate colony called the Upper Volta in the French West Africa federation. In 1932 the new colony was dismembered in a move to economize; it was reconstituted in 1937 as an administrative division called the Upper Coast. After World War II the Mossi renewed their pressure for separate territorial status and on September 4 1947 Upper Volta became a French West African territory again in its own right. A revision in the organization of French Overseas Territories began with the passage of the Basic Law (Loi Cadre) of July 23 1956. This act was followed by reorganizational measures approved by the French parliament early in 1957 that ensured a large degree of self-government for individual territories. Upper Volta became an autonomous republic in the French community on December 11 1958. Upper Volta achieved independence on August 5 1960. The first president Maurice Yameogo was the leader of the Voltaic Democratic Union (UDV). The 1960 constitution provided for election by universal suffrage of a president and a national assembly for 5-year terms. Soon after coming to power Yameogo banned all political parties other than the UDV. The government lasted until 1966 when after much unrest-mass demonstrations and strikes by students labor unions and civil servants-the military intervened. The military coup deposed Yameogo suspended the constitution dissolved the National Assembly and placed Lt. Col. Aboukar Sangoule Lamizana at the head of a government of senior army officers. The army remained in power for 4 years and on June 14 1970 the Voltans ratified a new constitution that established a 4-year transition period toward complete civilian rule. Lamizana remained in power throughout the 1970s as president of military or mixed civil-military governments. After conflict over the 1970 constitution a new constitution was written and approved in 1977 and Lamizana was reelected by open elections in 1978. Lamizana's government faced problems with the country's traditionally powerful trade unions and on November 25 1980 Col. Saye Zerbo overthrew President Lamizana in a bloodless coup. Colonel Zerbo established the Military Committee of Recovery for National Progress as the supreme governmental authority thus eradicating the 1977 constitution. Colonel Zerbo also encountered resistance from trade unions and was overthrown two years later on November 7 1982 by Maj. Dr. Jean-Baptiste Ouedraogo and the Council of Popular Salvation (CSP). The CSP continued to ban political parties and organizations yet promised a transition to civilian rule and a new constitution. Factional infighting developed between moderates in the CSP and the radicals led by Capt. Thomas Sankara who was appointed prime minister in January 1983. The internal political struggle and Sankara's leftist rhetoric led to his arrest and subsequent efforts to bring about his release directed by Capt. Blaise Compaore. This release effort resulted in yet another military coup d'etat on August 4 1983. After the coup Sankara formed the National Council for the Revolution (CNR) with himself as president. Sankara also established Committees for the Defense of the Revolution (CDRs) to "mobilize the masses" and implement the CNR's revolutionary programs. The CNR whose exact membership remained secret until the end contained two small intellectual Marxist-Leninist groups. Sankara Compaore Capt. Henri Zongo and Maj. Jean-Baptiste Boukary Lengani-all leftist military officers-dominated the regime. On August 4 1984 Upper Volta changed its name to Burkina Faso meaning "the country of honorable people." Sankara a charismatic leader sought by word deed and example to mobilize the masses and launch a massive bootstrap development movement. But many of the strict austerity measures taken by Sankara met with growing resistance and disagreement. Despite his initial popularity and personal charisma problems began to surface in the implementation of the revolutionary ideals. The CDRs which were formed as popular mass organizations deteriorated in some areas into gangs of armed thugs and clashed with several trade unions. Tensions over the repressive tactics of the government and its overall direction mounted steadily. On October 15 1987 Sankara was assassinated in a coup which brought Capt. Blaise Compaore to power. Compaore Capt. Henri Zongo and Maj. Jean-Baptiste Boukary Lengani formed the Popular Front (FP) which pledged to continue and pursue the goals of the revolution and to "rectify" Sankara's "deviations" from the original aims. The new government realizing the need for popular support tacitly moderated many of Sankara's policies. As part of a much-discussed political "opening" process several political organizations three of them non-Marxist were accepted under an umbrella political organization created in June 1989 by the FP. Some members of the leftist Organisation pour le Democratie Populaire/Movement du Travail (ODP/MT) were against the admission of non-Marxist groups in the front. On September 18 1989 while Compaore was returning from a two-week trip to Asia Lengani and Zongo were accused of plotting to overthrow the Popular Front. They were arrested and summarily executed the same night. Compaore reorganized the government appointed several new ministers and assumed the portfolio of Minister of Defense and Security. On December 23 1989 a presidential security detail arrested about 30 civilians and military personnel accused of plotting a coup in collaboration with the Burkinabe external opposition. __________History Edit This i Until the end of the 19th century the history of Burkina Faso was controlled by the empire-building Mossi who are believed to have come from central and eastern Africa sometime in the 11th century. For centuries the Mossi peasant was both farmer and soldier and the Mossi people were able to defend their religious beliefs and social structure against forcible attempts to convert them to Islam by Muslims from the northwest. When the French arrived and claimed the area in 1896 Mossi resistance ended with the capture of their capital at Ouagadougou. In 1919 certain provinces from Cote d'Ivoire were united into a separate colony called the Upper Volta in the French West Africa federation. In 1932 the new colony was dismembered in a move to economize; it was reconstituted in 1937 as an administrative division called the Upper Coast. After World War II the Mossi renewed their pressure for separate territorial status and on September 4 1947 Upper Volta became a French West African territory again in its own right. A revision in the organization of French Overseas Territories began with the passage of the Basic Law (Loi Cadre) of July 23 1956. This act was followed by reorganizational measures approved by the French parliament early in 1957 that ensured a large degree of self-government for individual territories. Upper Volta became an autonomous republic in the French community on December 11 1958. Upper Volta achieved independence on August 5 1960. The first president Maurice Yameogo was the leader of the Voltaic Democratic Union (UDV). The 1960 constitution provided for election by universal suffrage of a president and a national assembly for 5-year terms. Soon after coming to power Yameogo banned all political parties other than the UDV. The government lasted until 1966 when after much unrest-mass demonstrations and strikes by students labor unions and civil servants-the military intervened. The military coup deposed Yameogo suspended the constitution dissolved the National Assembly and placed Lt. Col. Aboukar Sangoule Lamizana at the head of a government of senior army officers. The army remained in power for 4 years and on June 14 1970 the Voltans ratified a new constitution that established a 4-year transition period toward complete civilian rule. Lamizana remained in power throughout the 1970s as president of military or mixed civil-military governments. After conflict over the 1970 constitution a new constitution was written and approved in 1977 and Lamizana was reelected by open elections in 1978. Lamizana's government faced problems with the country's traditionally powerful trade unions and on November 25 1980 Col. Saye Zerbo overthrew President Lamizana in a bloodless coup. Colonel Zerbo established the Military Committee of Recovery for National Progress as the supreme governmental authority thus eradicating the 1977 constitution. Colonel Zerbo also encountered resistance from trade unions and was overthrown two years later on November 7 1982 by Maj. Dr. Jean-Baptiste Ouedraogo and the Council of Popular Salvation (CSP). The CSP continued to ban political parties and organizations yet promised a transition to civilian rule and a new constitution. Factional infighting developed between moderates in the CSP and the radicals led by Capt. Thomas Sankara who was appointed prime minister in January 1983. The internal political struggle and Sankara's leftist rhetoric led to his arrest and subsequent efforts to bring about his release directed by Capt. Blaise Compaore. This release effort resulted in yet another military coup d'etat on August 4 1983. After the coup Sankara formed the National Council for the Revolution (CNR) with himself as president. Sankara also established Committees for the Defense of the Revolution (CDRs) to "mobilize the masses" and implement the CNR's revolutionary programs. The CNR whose exact membership remained secret until the end contained two small intellectual Marxist-Leninist groups. Sankara Compaore Capt. Henri Zongo and Maj. Jean-Baptiste Boukary Lengani-all leftist military officers-dominated the regime. On August 4 1984 Upper Volta changed its name to Burkina Faso meaning "the country of honorable people." Sankara a charismatic leader sought by word deed and example to mobilize the masses and launch a massive bootstrap development movement. But many of the strict austerity measures taken by Sankara met with growing resistance and disagreement. Despite his initial popularity and personal charisma problems began to surface in the implementation of the revolutionary ideals. The CDRs which were formed as popular mass organizations deteriorated in some areas into gangs of armed thugs and clashed with several trade unions. Tensions over the repressive tactics of the government and its overall direction mounted steadily. On October 15 1987 Sankara was assassinated in a coup which brought Capt. Blaise Compaore to power. Compaore Capt. Henri Zongo and Maj. Jean-Baptiste Boukary Lengani formed the Popular Front (FP) which pledged to continue and pursue the goals of the revolution and to "rectify" Sankara's "deviations" from the original aims. The new government realizing the need for popular support tacitly moderated many of Sankara's policies. As part of a much-discussed political "opening" process several political organizations three of them non-Marxist were accepted under an umbrella political organization created in June 1989 by the FP. Some members of the leftist Organisation pour le Democratie Populaire/Movement du Travail (ODP/MT) were against the admission of non-Marxist groups in the front. On September 18 1989 while Compaore was returning from a two-week trip to Asia Lengani and Zongo were accused of plotting to overthrow the Popular Front. They were arrested and summarily executed the same night. Compaore reorganized the government appointed several new ministers and assumed the portfolio of Minister of Defense and Security. On December 23 1989 a presidential security detail arrested about 30 civilians and military personnel accused of plotting a coup in collaboration with the Burkinabe external opposition. _________Economy Edit This Economy—overview: One of the poorest countries in the world landlocked Burkina Faso has a high population density few natural resources and a fragile soil. Over 80% of the population is engaged in subsistence agriculture which is highly vulnerable to variations in rainfall. Industry remains dominated by unprofitable government-controlled corporations. Following the African franc currency devaluation in January 1994 the government updated its development program in conjunction with international agencies and exports and economic growth have increased. GDP: purchasing power parity—$10.3 billion (1997 est.) GDP—real growth rate: 6% (1997 est.) GDP—per capita: purchasing power parity—$950 (1997 est.) GDP—composition by sector: agriculture: 32% industry: 26% services: 42% (1995) Inflation rate—consumer price index: 3% (1996 est.) Labor force: NA (most adults are employed in subsistence agriculture) by occupation: agriculture 80% industry 15% commerce services and government 5% note: 20% of male labor force migrates annually to neighboring countries for seasonal employment (1984) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues: $277 million expenditures: $492 million including capital expenditures of $233 million (1995 est.) Industries: cotton lint beverages agricultural processing soap cigarettes textiles gold Industrial production growth rate: 4.2% (1995) Electricity—capacity: 78 000 kW (1995) Electricity—production: 220 million kWh (1995) Electricity—consumption per capita: 21 kWh (1995) Agriculture—products: peanuts shea nuts sesame cotton sorghum millet corn rice; livestock Exports: total value: $298 million (f.o.b. 1995 est.) commodities: cotton animal products gold partners: Cote d'Ivoire France Italy Mali Imports: total value: $500 million (f.o.b. 1995 est.) commodities: machinery food products petroleum partners: Cote d'Ivoire France Togo Nigeria Debt—external: $715 million (December 1996) Economic aid: recipient: ODA $NA Currency: 1 Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: CFA francs (CFAF) per US$1—608.36 (January 1998) 583.67 (1997) 511.55 (1996) 499.15 (1995) 555.20 (1994) 283.16 (1993) note: beginning 12 January 1994 the CFA franc was devalued to CFAF 100 per French franc from CFAF 50 at which it had been fixed since 1948 Fiscal year: calendar year _________People Edit This Population: 11 266 393 (July 1998 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 48% (male 2 721 564; female 2 687 770) 15-64 years: 49% (male 2 616 375; female 2 899 923) 65 years and over: 3% (male 146 195; female 194 566) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 2.72% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 46.24 births/1 000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 17.65 deaths/1 000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: -1.41 migrant(s)/1 000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.9 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 109.15 deaths/1 000 live births (1998 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 46.1 years male: 45.38 years female: 46.85 years (1998 est.) Total fertility rate: 6.64 children born/woman (1998 est.) Nationality: noun: Burkinabe (singular and plural) adjective: Burkinabe Ethnic groups: Mossi about 24% Gurunsi Senufo Lobi Bobo Mande Fulani Religions: indigenous beliefs 40% Muslim 50% Christian (mainly Roman Catholic) 10% Languages: French (official) tribal languages belonging to Sudanic family spoken by 90% of the population Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 19.2% male: 29.5% female: 9.2% (1995 est.) :::::::::Banfora Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see While in Banfora, visit the Karfiguela waterfalls and Lac Tengrela. Avoid bathing in Karfiguela Waterfalls, I did...it's full of little beasts. You may overnight in Banfora at Canne Sucre hotel, a little expensive, but very nice. :::::::Bobo-dioulasso Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see x The city of Bobo-Dioulasso is a very relaxed place and a pleasure to spend a few days. It has the same boulevards and interesting market places as the capital but with a more chilled out feel to them and very little hassle even in the Grand Marché. There are a few interesting sights. Among the major highlights to see is the Musée Provincial du Houët, but without a doubt, the most interesting sight is the Grande Mosquée. The old Kibidwé district is also a great area to stroll around, where you have to take a guide but it's well worth the experience to see how this side of the city lives and if you're lucky you may well be treated to a performance by some of the musicians who live in the part of the town. _________Sights Edit This [Add Sight] Grande Mosquée Edit This The mosque is built in the tradional way of Sudan. Guides are available. type: general World66 rating: [rate it] Musée Provincial du Houët Edit This A Sudanese-style building, has two sets of exhibitions; one showcasing modern African art, batik, and sculpture, and the other exhibiting traditional art of the region. type: general World66 rating: [rate it] Centre Culturel Français Henri Matisse Edit This This a place to experience some old French colonial feeling. type: general World66 rating: [rate it] _______Getting There Edit This x Bobo is located approx. 300 km south of the capital Ouagadougou. Planes fly from Ouagadougou several times a week. There are trains leaving several times per week and also daily buses. The so-called bush taxis and minibuses also go to Bobo, but are more expensive than the buses. :::::::Gaoua Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Visit the Poni Museum, dedicated to the Lobi culture; see the distinctive fortress-like Lobi architecture. One may spend night at Gaoua Ala Hotel. :::::Ouagadougou Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see photo Ouaga, as the capital of Burkina Faso is generally known as the home to the Mossi, the largest ethnic group in the nation. Located in the center of the country the city has wide tree-lined boulevards and several interesting sights including the National Museum of Arts and Craft, the Nouveau Grand Marche and the Moro Naba Palace. All the sights can be easily reached on foot. They are not outstanding, but the atmosphere is relaxed and the Burkinabés are known to be very hospitable and friendly. Ouagadougou's Grande Marché is also worth a visit however it remains to be rebuilt after a fire ravaged it in 2003. It's in the centre of town and has a number of great stalls upstairs. Unlike many other Western African-Sahelian cities, Ouagadougou is not predominantly Muslim so it's also got a lively nightclub scene. _________Sights Edit This [Add Sight] Nouveau Grand Marche Edit This The Marche is an attractive central market with a good selection of handicrafts—a great place to people watch. type: general World66 rating: [rate it] National Museum of Arts and Craft Edit This Although the museum’s collection of beautiful carvings always seems to be hidden away the museum is worth a visit. type: general World66 rating: [rate it] Musee de la Musique Edit This The music museum located at the on Avenue d'Oubritenga is definitely worth a visit. Opened last August, it has traditional musical instruments from all over Burkina Faso. type: general World66 rating: [rate it] address: Avenue d'Oubritenga Moro Naba Palace Edit This Although the Moro Naba Palace is not open to the public you can view a traditional ceremony outside the palace on Friday mornings at 7 am sharp type: Hotspots World66 rating: [rate it] Snake Museum Edit This The Snake Museum is located at the Collège de la Salle. type: general World66 rating: [rate it] _________Daytrips Edit This There are quite a number of interesting excursion from Ouagadougou. This includes a wildlife-viewing trip to a small artificial lake 18km (11 miles) to the north. At Sabou, crocodiles can be seen at close quarters. However, as far as viewing wildlife is concerned, the three national parks – at Kabore Tembi, at 'W' near the Benin and Niger border, and at Arli – are the most important. South of Ougadougou, near Po, the Ranch de Nazinga is a game reserve with a large population of elephants, antelopes, monkeys, baboons and warthogs. Excursions outside the city include the scenic sacred fish pond of La Mare aux Poissons Sacrés de Dafra, 8km (5 miles) southeast of the city; the excellent bathing pond of La Guinguette, located in La Fôret de Kou, 18km (11 miles) from the city; and the Mare aux Hippopotames, 66km (41 miles) northeast of the city, where visitors may be taken out in a pirogue to view the hippos for a small fee. Southwest of Bobo Dioulasso is the town of Banfora, from where the impressive Karfiguéla Waterfalls can be seen, located 12km (3 miles) northwest of the town. Approximately 50km (31 miles) west of Banfora is the town of Sindou, the area where the extraordinary Sindou Rock Formations can be seen. [Add New] Pabre Edit This This ancient Mossi village is a short distance from another large reservoir north of the city. type: general World66 rating: [rate it] ___________Nightlife and Entertainment Edit This [Add Entertainment place] New Jack Edit This This is the coolest disco in town. Quite expensive to get in (4 US$), but cool African and international music. Located in the centre at Kwahme Nkrumah Street. type: general World66 rating: [rate it] A. H. Siddiqui Edit This we wanted to locate and see the various night club location type: Gay and Lesbian World66 rating: [rate it] url: ahsiddiqui address: New Delhi India tel: 9111-26502786 email: ahs_personal@yahoo.com __________Festivals Edit This African film buffs shouldn't miss FESPACO the Pan-African Film Festival held in late February of odd-numbered years. Luring celebrities and fans from around the globe this festival—the world’s largest African film festival—electrifies Ouagadougou with a carnival-like energy. The party spills out of the crowded cinemas into the streets in the form of dances food festivals and general hilarity. The streets become pedestrian malls where the shopping is fantastic—everything from Nigerian leather bags and Tuareg silver to handmade cloth dolls from Benin and traditional clothing from Ghana. ::::::::Tiébélé Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Intérieur de case Gurunsi Intérieur de case Gurunsi r chretien Tiébélé is located approximately 150 km south of Ouagadougou. This village of 450 inhabitants presents the particular Gourounsi architecture. Visitor are encouraged to organize their visit through the Association pour le développement de Tiébélé. The guided visit offers insight on the culture, architecture and lifestyle of the villagers. Houses are painted by the village women to represent scenes and events in a stylized and colourful manner. The village is in the process of being recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. |
