Sights in Burkina Faso
- Sort by:
- Popular
-
Moro-Naba Palace Ceremony
Such is the influence of the Moro-Naba of Ouagadougou, the emperor of the Mossi and the most powerful traditional chief in Burkina Faso, that the government will still make a show of consulting him before making any major decision. The portly present Moro-Naba (the 37th) is, typically for his dynasty, an imposing figure.
The Moro-Naba ceremony (la cérémonie du Nabayius Gou), takes place every Friday at the Moro-Naba Palace. It's a very formal ritual that lasts only about 15 minutes. Prominent Mossis arrive by taxi, car and moped (also known as mobylettes), greet each other and sit on the ground according to rank: in the first row sit the Moro-Naba's spokesman and his…
reviewed
-
A
Grande Mosquée
The Grande Mosquée, built in 1893, is an outstanding example of Sahel-style mud architecture, with conical towers and wooden struts (which both support the structure and act as scaffolding during replastering). Although entry is forbidden for non-Muslims, it's the exterior that is so captivating, especially at sunset when the façade turns golden and the faithful pass by on their way home or to the neighbouring well, often pausing for prayer in the mosque en route.
A powerful sense of community life revolves around the mosque. The quiet and shady grounds in the immediate vicinity are interspersed with shelters and prayer mats for worshippers, and add to the charm of one…
reviewed
-
B
Grand Marché
Bobo-Dioulasso's centrepiece, the expansive Grand Marché, is hugely enjoyable and atmospheric, and a wonderful (and largely hassle-free) place to experience a typical African city market.
Occupying the inner circle are the fruit and vegetable stalls, watched over by colourfully clad women and surrounded by the overwhelming odours of the fish and meat sections. From here to the market's outer rim, impossibly narrow and labyrinthine lanes and makeshift stalls stock household wares and an excellent selection of African cotton prints - as well as reasonably priced tailors who can make clothing from them in a flash. There's a small choice of masks, drums and objects in bronze…
reviewed
-
Grande Mosquée
The Grande Mosquée, built in 1893, is an outstanding example of Sahel-style mud architecture, with conical towers and wooden struts (which both support the structure and act as scaffolding during replastering).
Although entry is forbidden for non-Muslims, it's the exterior that is so captivating, especially at sunset when the façade turns golden and the faithful pass by on their way home or to the neighbouring well, often pausing for prayer in the mosque en route. A powerful sense of community life revolves around the mosque. The quiet and shady grounds in the immediate vicinity are interspersed with shelters and prayer mats for worshippers, and add to the charm of one…
reviewed
-
Musée National
After its long-awaited move to new premises, the Musée National has been left a little out on a limb, almost 10km east of the town centre. The displays of the various masks, ancestral statues (especially from Lobi country) and traditional costumes of Burkina Faso's major ethnic groups are the highlights.
The museum is still a work-in-progress - the various dusty pavilions (one for each region of the country) are marooned and somewhat bereft in the expansive grounds, and the labelling (French-only) is haphazard. To get there, take a taxi, or take Sotrao bus 1 which runs from the city centre along Ave de la Nation.
reviewed
-
C
Musée De La Musique
The Musée De La Musique is a good place to spend an hour if you have an interest in traditional music. The uncluttered displays in an imaginatively designed exhibition space include tambours (drums), flutes, xylophones and luth (harps) from around the country. Among the highlights are the impressive lan or castagnettes de pieds (foot castanets).
There are informative labels in French throughout, and a guide will show you around (a tip is appreciated) but it's only worthwhile if you speak French; otherwise he'll simply point and say 'drum'.
reviewed
-
Cascades de Karfiguéla (Karfiguéla waterfalls)
The Karfiguéla Waterfalls are at their best during and just after the rainy season when, unfortunately, the dirt tracks leading to the falls can be impassable. But, whatever the season, it's worth the journey.
From below, you approach the falls through a magnificent avenue of mango trees, and the chaotic jumble of rocks over which the water splays are a sight in themselves.
From the waterfalls, you can walk or ride the 2km (1.2mi) to the Dômes de Fabedougou, an escarpment-type formation good for rock climbing.
reviewed
-
Thomas Sankara's Grave
Thomas Sankara's Grave is on the depressing and ill-kept eastern outskirts of Ouagadougou, and is one of a number in the area belonging to high-profile supporters of his government. There's not a lot to see, but it's a poignant reminder of a more hopeful time in Burkina Faso's recent history and a site of enormous political significance. The grave is about 6km east of the city centre.
To get there, charter a taxi for the hour, although some drivers won't take you because roads close to the grave are in a dire state.
reviewed
-
D
Musée Provincial du Houët
This small but interesting museum showcases masks, statues and ceremonial dress from all over Burkina Faso. In the grounds are three traditional houses, each furnished in the style of its inhabitants: a Bobo house in red banco (mud-brick); a Fulani hut of branches and woven straw; and a small Senoufo (a Voltaic people who settled in northern Côte d'Ivoire and southern Burkina Faso 400 years ago) compound.
reviewed
-
Musée de la Musique
This is small but recommended for those with an emerging passion for African music, as well as those keen to learn the difference between a balafon and djembe. Most of the instruments on display (labels in French only) come from western Burkina Faso (especially from Lobi country). There's a small shop selling CDs of local traditional music which you won't find elsewhere.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
Moro-Naba Palace Ceremony
Such is the influence of the Moro-Naba of Ouagadougou, the emperor of the Mossi and the most powerful traditional chief in Burkina Faso, that the government will still make a show of consulting him before making any major decision. The portly present Moro-Naba (the 37th) is, typically for his dynasty, an imposing figure.
The Moro-Naba ceremony (la cérémonie du Nabayius Gou), takes place every Friday at the Moro-Naba Palace. It's a very formal ritual that lasts only about 15 minutes. Prominent Mossis arrive by taxi, car and moped (also known as mobylettes), greet each other and sit on the ground according to rank: in the first row sit the Moro-Naba's spokesman and his…
reviewed
-
Musée National
After its long-awaited move to new premises, the Musée National has been left a little out on a limb, almost 10km east of the town centre. The displays of the various masks, ancestral statues (especially from Lobi country) and traditional costumes of Burkina Faso's major ethnic groups are the highlights.
The museum is still a work-in-progress - the various dusty pavilions (one for each region of the country) are marooned and somewhat bereft in the expansive grounds, and the labelling (French-only) is haphazard. To get there, take a taxi, or take Sotrao bus 1 which runs from the city centre along Ave de la Nation.
reviewed