Burkina Faso
Facts About Burkina Faso
On the southern edge of the Sahara desert of West Africa, Burkina Faso changes from the green of tropical rain forest in the south to the dryness of the Sahel in the north. Although one of the poorest countries in the world, with over 60 different people groups and languages, it is rich in its human culture.
Previously called Upper Volta, Burkina Faso gained independence from France in 1960. A series of military coups in the 1970s and 1980s were followed by multiparty elections in the 1990s. With a land area of 274,200 sq km, Burkina is slightly larger than the UK, and has a population of about 13 million.
- Capital city:Ouagadougou
- Population: 13 million
- Official language: French
- Main peoples: Mossi, Fulani, Gourmantche, Gurunsi, Senufo, Lobi, Bobo
- Religions: Muslim 50%, Catholic 15%, Protestant 5%, Traditional 30%
- Life Expectancy: 44 years
- Infant mortality: 11%
- Literacy: 26%
- Below poverty line: 45%
- HIV infection: 4%
- GDP/capita: $1000
- Main exports: Animal products, cotton, gold
- Weather: Burkina has four annual seasons: Rainy (Jun-Sept), Short hot (Oct), Cold (Nov-Feb), Hot (Mar-May).
Prior to western colonialism, a series of empires were established in West Africa by different conquering peoples. Among these were the Ghanaian Empire, the Malian Empire, and the Songhai Empire. The nomadic Tuareg and Fulani also extended their influence, raiding other tribes, subjecting them, and taking slaves. In the area now known as Burkina Faso were also a large number of sedentary tribes. The largest of these were the Mossi, whose kingdom was based at Ouagadougou, the present capital.
With colonialism, apparently arbitrary borders grouped together these disparate tribes, sometimes dividing a tribe into two or three countries. In the late 19th century, this area became a French colony, called Upper Volta, after the Volta Rivers that run through the country. It gained independence in 1960.
After a succession of changes of government, a bloodless coup in 1983 resulted in a radical socialist government, with the country taking a new flag, and a new name from local languages. The name Burkina Faso means 'land of upright men'. A further coup in 1987 installed the present government under president Blaise Compaore. Under him, the country has moved more towards a free-market economy with closer ties to the West. Democratic structures have also been put in place.
According to the UN Human Development Index of 2004, Burkina is the third least developed country in the world.
GDP/head is about $1000/year. About 45% of the population lives below the poverty line. In 2004, life expectancy stands at 44 years at birth. The average woman gives birth to 6 children, and one in ten children die before their first birthday. Literacy is 26%. HIV infection rate is about 4%.
About 90% of the people work in rain-dependent subsistence agriculture, mostly growing millet, maize, sorghum, and peanuts. Consequently, Burkina has been hard hit by droughts of recent years. Major exports are animal products, gold, and cotton. However, Burkina also suffers from the added burden of unfair debt repayments and unjust trade policies, which undermine its ability to work its way to a better future.
There are about 60 different tribes in Burkina Faso. The largest is the Mossi, who make up about half the population. They live in the central southern area, where they farm mostly maize and millet, and are of animistic background. In the north are many Fulani, a lighter-skinned semi-nomadic people, who are traditionally cattle herders. Other main peoples are the Gourmantche, Gurunsi, Senufo, Lobi, Bisa, and Samo. The official language is French, but there are over 60 local languages in the country.
Burkina is a secular country with freedom of religion. Statistics give the religious breakdown as roughly Muslim: 50%, Catholic: 15%, Protestant: 5%, Traditional African Religions: 30%. However, often the practice of religion is combined with animistic influence, and it is estimated that over 85% of the population are animistic in practice.
Both Islam and the protestant church are growing, with Islam particularly strong in the north, and with strong church growth among the Mossi and other settled tribes in the south. The protestant churches are all basically evangelical in doctrine.
