Burkina Faso
Geography of Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso (formerly Upper Volta) is a landlocked Sahel country that shares borders with six nations. It lies between the Sahara Desert and the Gulf of Guinea, south of the loop of the Niger River, mostly between latitudes 9° and 15°N (a small area is north of 15°), and longitudes 6°W and 3°E. The land is green in the south, with forests and fruit trees, and desert in the north.
Culture of Burkina Faso
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.
Festivals and Events in Burkina Faso
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.