Burkina Faso is a West African country surrounded by Mali, Niger, Benin, Togo, Ghana, and Ivory Coast, its widest border being with Mali to the north and northwest. Previously known as the Republic of Upper Volta, the country became Burkina Faso in 1984.
Like other parts of Africa, Burkina Faso is made up of several ethnic groups. About half the country is Mossi, a Voltaic group who migrated from northern Ghana around 1100 AD. The second largest group are the Fulani, a nomadic tribe that was partly responsible for the spread of Islam throughout West Africa. Minority groups include Bobo, Gurunsi, Lobi, Mande, and Senufo. The predominant religion is Islam, often mixed with traditional beliefs. The official language is French, but the most commonly spoken language is Mossi and other native languages.
Formerly under French control, Burkina Faso became independent in 1960, after which it has faced several political and civil disorders, including assassinations and coups. Political freedoms are restricted in Burkina Faso, and state-sponsored violence against journalists and members of political opposition groups are common. Police identity checks are routine for people traveling in the country by car, bus, or taxi.
Burkina Faso is among the poorest countries in the world. Its people survive largely by subsistence raising of livestock. Sorghum, pearl millet, corn, peanuts, rice, and cotton are also grown. The country does have copper, gold, iron, manganese, and other ores which are mined, providing employment for some of its people, but a large percentage of the country's economy comes from international aid.
The land that is now northwestern Burkina Faso was populated as early as 14,000 BC, according to archaeologists, and agriculture was practiced around 3,000 BC. Southwestern Burkina Faso was inhabited by an Iron-Age civilization known as the Bura. The Mossi came to eastern Burkina Faso between 700 and 1000 AD. During the Middle Ages, they established separate kingdoms. The Mossi invaded Timbuktu between 1328 and 1338, but were defeated by the Songhai in 1483. During the early 1500s, the Songhai carried out several slave raids into Burkina Faso.
Beginning in the early 1890s, there were attempts to claim portions of Burkina Faso by the British, French, and Germans. Burkina Faso became a French protectorate in 1896, although the eastern and western parts of the region weren't under French control until 1897 due to a stand-off with Samori Ture, the Muslim leader of the Wassoulou Empire. Its current borders were established in 1898. French control of the region was tenuous, as local tribes and political powers vied for the territory over a period of several years.
By 1904, the mostly pacified region were integrated into the colony of French West Africa, and the language of government and education became French. People from Burkina Faso were drafted into French military service during World War I. However, while the French were engaged in the World War, the Volta-Bani War began. This rebellion against colonial occupation took place in what is now Burkina Faso as well as in Mali, lasting between 1915 and 1917. Numbering as many as 20,000, the insurgents fought on several fronts. After several setbacks, French forces jailed or executed the leaders of the insurgency.
The Volta-Bani War was the impetus for the establishment of French Upper Volta. Fearing a renewal of the uprising, the French split the region now known as Burkina Foso from Upper Senegal and Niger. World War II brought renewed agitation against colonial rule, but the conflict did not reach the level of a war.
In 1958, the French colony was granted the right to self-government as the Republic of Upper Volta, and became an autonomous republic in 1958, with full independence from France achieved in 1960.
Maurice Yaméogo was elected president of the new nation. Soon after taking office, he banned all political parties but his own. After six years of unrest, Yaméogo was deposed in 1966, and that has set the stage for the country's politics. The last coup attempt was in 2015.
Burkina Faso is a member of the African Union and the United Nations, and has retained good relations with France, which holds influence within its government.
Recommended Resources
The UN Human Development Index ranks Burkina Faso as one of the poorest countries in the world. ACTS works to assist widows and orphans within the country through programs such as literacy education, income generation, and micro-enterprise promotion, as well as providing immediate medical care, skills training, and the promotion of human rights in Burkina Faso. Its work, sponsorships, and locations are discussed.
http://acts-burkina.org/
Established as Air Volta in 1967, the national airline of Burkina Faso operates scheduled flight schedules from its base at Ouagadougou Airport to Bobo-Dioulasso, as well as to Benin, Ghana, Mali, Niger, Senegal, and Togo. Flight schedules, arrivals and departures, and its frequent flyers programs are set forth, along with its IOSA certification, contacts, and online booking of flights.
http://www.air-burkina.com/en/
Operated as a division of Base Camp International, the site focuses on the country of Burkina Foso, featuring an introduction to the West African country, a history, demographics, trivia, and facts, as well as an overview of its political structure, economy, educational opportunities, culture, climate, and geography. Included is a guide to attractions and events, the country’s main cities, transportation options, immigration requirements, and dangers.
http://www.burkina.com/
The BBA provides scientists with a platform to voice their opinions on biotechnology and dialogue among themselves, with non-scientists, and with members of the public. Its partners and stakeholders, in Burkina Faso and internationally, are acknowledged, along with contact information, a contact form, and a blog that discusses several topics relating to biotechnology developments in Burkina Faso and elsewhere in West Africa.
http://www.biotechburkina.org/
Burkina Faso & West Africa Agro Products
Headquartered in Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso, and with plantations in Burkina Faso, Ghana, and Togo, the company specializes in organic fruits and other agricultural products, exporting several varieties of fruits, such as mangoes, hibiscus flowers, pineapples, papayas, and peanuts. Available in French and English, its site offers an overview of the company, its products, and ordering information.
http://www.burkina-agro.com/
Burkina Faso Girls’ Scholarship Fund
BFGSF was formed in 2003 to raise funds to cover school expenses for female primary and secondary students in Gonsin, Burkina Faso. Its site includes a discussion of the problem, and why the program has chosen to assist girls in receiving an education. Some of the girls who have received assistance are introduced, and letters from students are displayed. Contributions may be made online.
http://www.burkinagirls.org/
Christian Children’s Fund of Canada
The international development organization is a registered Canadian charity providing for the health and nutrition, education, water, and hygiene of children in Burkina Faso, as well as promoting sustainable economic growth and strong community organizations. Its organizational structure and contacts, projects, social impact, and partnerships are featured, along with a history of the organization.
http://ccfcburkinafaso.org/en/
CIA World Factbook: Burkina Faso
Compiled by the Central Intelligence Agency, the site offers an introduction to the West African country, including its geographical features, people and culture, governmental structure, economy, energy and communications infrastructure, transportation resources, military expenditures, branches, and requirements. International issues, threats, and other concerns are outlined.
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/uv.html
Established by thirteen young graduates of the Hammon’s School of Architecture at Drury University, For Burkina is a project to fund, design, and build a school in Burkina Faso through donations as well as partnerships with local organizations and institutions, the World Bank, and others. Its goals, efforts thus far, and an introduction to the team are included, as well as an online shopping area.
http://www.forburkinafaso.com/
Headquartered in Chester, California, the non-profit charitable NPCA-affiliated organization maintains a network of returned Peace Corps Volunteers and friends of Burkina Faso, provides funding and assistance to various projects within the West African country, improved social interactions and communication, and educations people about the country and its culture. Its memberships, projects, contacts, and a place for online contributions are featured.
http://www.friendsofburkinafaso.org/
Based in Brewster, New York, United States, the company provides hunting excursions in Burkina Faso, a small country in West Africa. Offering several West African species of big game, including Western Roan, Savannah Buffalo, Western Kob, Sing Sing Waterbuck, Harnessed Bushbuck, Western Hartebeest, and Nagor Reedbuck. Its hunting packages and concessions are featured, along with a gallery of photographs, video, and rates.
https://www.huntburkinafaso.com/
International School of Ouagadougou
Established in 1976, the English-language school is situated in Zogona, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, and accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. Catering to students from the international community, the independent school offers a modified US curriculum for students in PK-12th grades, which includes daily instruction in French, lessons on Burkina culture, and opportunities for student exchanges.
http://www.iso.bf/
The company is focused on the development of gold exploration projects in West Africa, with a primary focus being on the Garsay and Sebe gold projects in Burkina Faso. Featured is a corporate overview, its management team, and a profile of the Garsay and Sebe projects, the country of Burkina Faso, and gold mining and exploration in the region. Other resources include a stock presentation, regulatory filings and financials.
http://parallelmining.com/
Established in Burkina Faso as a fully owned subsidiary of the Pinsapo Group in 2010, the company is currently exploring in Peleguetenga and Tibou, and mining at Sassa. Its locations are shown on a map, and a description of its properties, explorations, and mining activities. Its approach is defined and includes fostering respectful and mutually profitable relations with the community and flexible conditions for partnerships with property owners.
http://www.pinsapogold.com/
Serving as church planting missionaries to the West African country of Burkina Faso, the couple’s history, home church, and mission agency are introduced, along with an overview of their work, successes, and projects in Burkina Faso. Other resources include statements of faith, recommendations, video presentations and photographs, newsletters, and contacts. Contributions may be made through the site.
http://www.knickinburkinafaso.com/
The Christian ministry supports church planting movements to unreached people in Burkina Faso by training local church leaders, providing for the basic physical needs of people, developing educational programs, and mobilizing the church in the United States. Its strategy is outlined, and its ongoing projects are reported, along with previous and current teams, construction projects, contacts, and sponsorships.
http://streamsinburkinafaso.com/
The United States embassy represents the American government in Burkina Faso, and provides services to US citizens, including emergency services, security messages, passport and citizenship matters, and federal programs. Information and possible assistance on doing business in Burkina Faso or the United States, and assistance to Burkina Faso people interested in studying within the United States.
https://bf.usembassy.gov/
