The southwest region has a rich tradition of folklore. If you visit Ougadougou, don’t miss the traditional drama "Nabayius Gou" (literally meaning, the empire goes to war) held every Friday at 0600. A tearful wife and his subjects restrain the magnificently attired emperor setting off for war with his brother. Festivals of singing, dancing and traditional music, mark the end of Ramadan, the Muslim month of fasting.
Two key elements for the culture of Burkina Faso (a country once known as Upper Volta) are its indigenous masks and dancing. The masks used in this region of the western Sahel are made for rites of sacrifice to gods and animal spirits in the villages. Native dance, on the other hand, is employed to demonstrate the villagers’ desire for blessings by the spirits.
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.