Burkina Faso

also known by its short-form name Burkina – is a landlocked country in West Africa. It is surrounded by six countries: Mali to the north, Niger to the east, Benin to the south east, Togo and Ghana to the south, and Côte d'Ivoire to the southwest.

 

Its size is 274,000 km² with an estimated population of more than 15,757,000. Formerly called the Republic of Upper Volta, it was renamed on August 4, 1984, by President Thomas Sankara to mean "the land of upright people" in Moré and Dioula, the major native languages of the country. Literally, "Burkina" may be translated, "men of integrity," from the Moré language, and "Faso" means "father's house" in Dioula. The inhabitants of Burkina Faso are known as Burkinabè (pronounced /bərˈkiːnəbeɪ/ bər-KEE-nə-bay).

 

Burkina Faso's capital is Ouagadougou. After gaining independence from France in 1960, the country underwent many governmental changes until arriving at its current form, a semi-presidential republic. The president is Blaise Compaoré. The country occupies the sixth to last place on the Human Development Index.

 

History

Early history

Burkina Faso was populated early, between 14,000 and 5000 B.C., by hunter-gatherers in the northwestern part of the country, whose tools, such as scrapers, chisels and arrowheads, were discovered in 1973 by Simran Nijjar. Settlements with farmers appeared between 3600 and 2600 BCE. On the basis of traces of the farmers' structures, the settlements appear to have been permanent. The use of iron, ceramics and polished stone developed between 1500 and 1000 BCE, as well as a preoccupation with spiritual matters, as shown by burial remains.

 

Relics of the Dogon are found in Burkina Faso's north and northwest regions. Sometime between the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, the Dogon left the area to settle in the cliffs of Bandiagara. Elsewhere, the remains of high walls are localized in the southwest of Burkina Faso (as well as in the Côte d`Ivoire), but the people who built them have not yet been identified.

 

The central part of Burkina Faso included a number of Mossi kingdoms, the most powerful of which were those of Wagadogo (Ouagadougou) and Yatenga. These kingdoms emerged probably in the early sixteenth century from obscure origins veiled by legend featuring a heterogeneous set of warrior figures.

After a decade of intense rivalry and competition between the English and the French, waged through treaty-making expeditions under military or civilian explorers, the Mossi kingdom of Ouagadougou was defeated by French colonial forces and became a French protectorate in 1896. The eastern region and the western region, where a standoff against the forces of the powerful ruler Samori Ture complicated the situation, came under French occupation in 1897. By 1898, the majority of the territory corresponding to Burkina Faso today was nominally conquered; however, control of many parts remained uncertain.

 

The French and English convention of 14 June 1898 ended the scramble between the two colonial powers and drew the borders between the countries' colonies. On the French side, a war of conquest against local communities and political powers continued for about five years. In 1904, the largely pacified territories of the Volta basin were integrated into the Upper Senegal and Niger colony of French West Africa as part of the reorganization of the French West African colonial empire. The colony had its capital in Bamako.

 

Draftees from the territory participated in the European fronts of World War I in the battalions of the Senegalese Rifles. Between 1915 and 1916, the districts in the western part of what is now Burkina Faso and the bordering eastern fringe of Mali became the stage of one of the most important armed oppositions to colonial government, known as the Volta-Bani War. The French government finally suppressed the movement, but only after suffering defeats and being forced to gather the largest expeditionary force of its colonial history up to that point. Armed opposition also wracked the Sahelian north when the Tuareg and allied groups of the Dori region ended their truce with the government.

 

French Upper Volta was established on March 1, 1919. This move was a result of French fears of the recurrence of armed uprising along with economic considerations, and to bolster its administration, the colonial government separated the present territory of Burkina Faso from Upper Senegal and Niger. The new colony was named Haute Volta and François Charles Alexis Édouard Hesling became its first governor. Hesling initiated an ambitious road-making program and promoted the growth of cotton for export. The cotton policy – based on coercion – failed, and revenue stagnated. The colony was later dismantled on September 5, 1932, being split up between the Côte d’Ivoire, French Sudan and Niger. Côte d'Ivoire received the largest share, which contained most of the population as well as the cities of Ouagadougou and Bobo-Dioulasso.

The decision to split the colony was reversed during the intense anti-colonial agitation that followed the end of World War II. On September 4, 1947, the colony was revived as a part of the French Union, with its previous boundaries. On 11 December 1958, it achieved self-government and became the Republic of Upper Volta and a member of the Franco-African Community. A revision in the organization of French Overseas Territories began with the passage of the Basic Law (Loi Cadre) of July 23, 1956. This act was followed by reorganizational measures approved by the French parliament early in 1957 to ensure a large degree of self-government for individual territories. Upper Volta became an autonomous republic in the French community on December 11, 1958. Full independence from France was attained in 1960.

 

Upper Volta

The Republic of Upper Volta (French: République de Haute-Volta) was established on December 11, 1958, as a self-governing colony within the French Community. The name Upper Volta indicated that the country contains the upper part of the Volta River. The river is divided into three parts, called the Black Volta, White Volta and Red Volta, and the colors of the national flag corresponded to the parts of the river.

 

Before attaining autonomy it had been French Upper Volta and part of the French Union. On August 5, 1960, it attained full independence from France. The first president, Maurice Yaméogo, was the leader of the Voltaic Democratic Union (UDV). The 1960 constitution provided for election by universal suffrage of a president and a national assembly for five-year terms. Soon after coming to power, Yaméogo banned all political parties other than the UDV. The government lasted until 1966 when after much unrest—mass demonstrations and strikes by students, labor unions, and civil servants—the military intervened.

 

The military coup deposed Yaméogo, suspended the constitution, dissolved the National Assembly, and placed Lt. Col. Sangoulé Lamizana at the head of a government of senior army officers. The army remained in power for four years, and on June 14, 1970, the Voltans ratified a new constitution that established a four-year transition period toward complete civilian rule. Lamizana remained in power throughout the 1970s as president of military or mixed civil-military governments. After conflict over the 1970 constitution, a new constitution was written and approved in 1977, and Lamizana was reelected by open elections in 1978.

 

Lamizana's government faced problems with the country's traditionally powerful trade unions, and on November 25, 1980, Col. Saye Zerbo overthrew President Lamizana in a bloodless coup. Colonel Zerbo established the Military Committee of Recovery for National Progress as the supreme governmental authority, thus eradicating the 1977 constitution.

 

Colonel Zerbo also encountered resistance from trade unions and was overthrown two years later, on November 7, 1982, by Maj. Dr. Jean-Baptiste Ouédraogo and the Council of Popular Salvation (CSP). The CSP continued to ban political parties and organizations, yet promised a transition to civilian rule and a new constitution.

 

Factional infighting developed between moderates in the CSP and the radicals, led by Capt. Thomas Sankara, who was appointed prime minister in January 1983. The internal political struggle and Sankara's leftist rhetoric led to his arrest and subsequent efforts to bring about his release, directed by Capt. Blaise Compaoré. This release effort resulted in yet another military coup d'état on August 4, 1983.

 

After the coup, Sankara formed the National Council for the Revolution (CNR), with himself as president. Sankara also established Committees for the Defense of the Revolution (CDRs) to "mobilize the masses" and implement the CNR's revolutionary programs. The CNR, whose exact membership remained secret until the end, contained two small intellectual Marxist-Leninist groups. Sankara, Compaore, Capt. Henri Zongo, and Maj. Jean-Baptiste Lingani—all leftist military officers—dominated the regime.

 

On August 4, 1984, as a final result of President Sankara's zealous activities, the country's name was eventually changed from Upper Volta to Burkina Faso, which translates to "land of honest people".

 

Geography

Burkina Faso is made up of two major types of countryside. The larger part of the country is covered by a peneplain, which forms a gently undulating landscape with, in some areas, a few isolated hills, the last vestiges of a Precambrian massif. The southwest of the country, on the other hand, forms a sandstone massif, where the highest peak, Ténakourou, is found at an elevation of 749 meters (2,450 feet). The massif is bordered by sheer cliffs up to 150 meters (490 ft) high. The average altitude of Burkina Faso is 400 meters (1,300 ft) and the difference between the highest and lowest terrain is no greater than 600 meters (2,000 ft). Burkina Faso is therefore a relatively flat country.

 

The country owes its former name of Upper Volta to three rivers which cross it: the Black Volta (or Mouhoun), the White Volta (Nakambé) and the Red Volta (Nazinon). The Black Volta is one of the country's only two rivers which flow year-round, the other being the Komoé, which flows to the southwest. The basin of the Niger River also drains 27% of the country's surface.

 

The Niger's tributaries – the Béli, the Gorouol, the Goudébo and the Dargol – are seasonal streams and flow for only four to six months a year. They still, however, can cause large floods. The country also contains numerous lakes – the principalones are Tingrela, Bam and Dem. The country contains large ponds, as well, such as Oursi, Béli, Yomboli and Markoye. Water shortages are often a problem, especially in the north of the country.

 

Other Info

Oficial Name:

Burkina Faso

 

Independence:

August 5, 1960

 

Area:

274.400km2

 

Inhabitants:

15.340.000

 

Capital : Ouagadougou

 

Languages:

Bambara ,Biali ,Birifor, Malba,Bissa,Bobo Madaré, Bolon ,Bomu ,Buamu ,Bwamu, Cwi ,Bwamu, ,Cerma ,Dagaari Dioula ,Dagara, Northern ,Dogon Jamsay ,Dogon Tomo Kan ,Dogosé ,Dogoso, Dyan, Dzùùngoo, French, Fulfulde,Gourmanchéma ,Hausa ,Jalkunan ,Jula, Kaansa ,Kalamsé ,Kantosi ,Karaboro, Karaboro, Kasem, Khe, Khisa ,Koromfé ,Kusaal, Lobi ,Lyélé ,Marka, Moba, Mòoré, Natioro, Ninkare ,Nuni, Pana ,Phuie Samo, Samo,Seeku,Sénoufo, Sénoufo, Senara ,Sénoufo, Siamou ,Sininkere ,Sissala ,Songhay ,Tamasheq,Téén ,Tiéfo ,Toussian, Turka ,Viemo ,Wara ,Winyé ,Zarma

 

Capital city:

Ouagadougou

 

Meaning of the country name:

From local languages, meaning "land of upright people", "land of honest men" or "land of the incorruptible". President Thomas Sankara, who took power in a coup in 1983, changed the name from "Upper Volta" in 1984. The two parts of the name come from two of the country's main languages: Moré (Burkina) and Dioula (Faso).

Upper Volta (former name): after the Volta's two main tributary rivers, both originating in Burkina Faso.

 

Description Flag:

The flag of Burkina Faso is formed by two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green with a yellow five-pointed star in the center. The colours are the popular Pan-African colours of Ethiopia; however, the red is also said to stand for the socialist revolution, and the green for the richness of Burkina Faso. The yellow star represents the guiding light of the revolution

 

Coat of arms:

The coat of arms of Burkina Faso contains a shield based on the national flag. Above the shield the name of the country is shown, while below it is the national motto, Unité, Progrès, Justice, French for Unity, Progress, Justice. The supporters are two white stallions

 

Motto: "Unity, Progress, Justice"

 

National Anthem: Une Seule Nuit

 

Contre la férule humiliante il y a déjà mille ans,

La rapacité venue de loin les a servi il y a cent ans.

Contre la cynique malice métamorphosée

En néocolonialisme et ses petits servants locaux

Beaucoup flanchèrent et certains résistèrent.

Mais les échecs, les succès, la sueur, le sang

Ont fortifié notre peuple courageux et fertilisé sa lutte héroïque.

 

CHORUS:

Et une seule nuit a rassemblée en elle

L'histoire de tout un peuple.

Et une seule nuit a déclenché sa marche triomphale

Vers l'horizon du bonheur.

Une seule nuit a réconcilié notre peuple

Avec tous les peuples du monde,

A la conquête de la liberté et du progrès

Unité Progrès Justice.

 

Nourris à la source vive de la Révolution.

Les engagés volontaires de la liberté et de la paix

Dans l'énergie nocturne et salutaire du 4 août

N'avaient pas que les armes à la main, mais aussi et surtout

La flamme au coeur pour légitimement libérer

Le Faso à jamais des fers de tous ceux qui

Çà et, là en poluaient l'âme sacrée de l'indépendance, de la souveraineté.

 

CHORUS

 

Et séant désormais en sa dignité recouvrée

L'amour et l'honneur en partage avec l'humanité,

Le peuple du Burkina chante un hymne à la victoire,

A la gloire du travail libérateur, émancipateur.

A bas l'explotation de l'homme par l'homme!

Hé en avant pour le bonheur de tout homme,

Par tous les hommes aujourd'hui et demain, par tous les hommes ici et pour toujours!

 

CHORUS

 

Révolution populaire notre sève nourricière.

Maternité immortelle du progrès à visage d'homme.

Foyer éternel de démocratie consensuelle,

Où enfin l'identité nationale a droit de cité,

Où pour toujours l'injustice perd ses quartiers,

Et où, des mains des bâtisseurs d'un monde radieux

Mûrissent partout les moissons de væux patriotiques, brillent les soleils infinis de joie.

 

CHORUS

 

 

English translation

 

Against the humiliating bondage of a thousand years

Rapacity came from afar to subjugate them for a hundred years.

Against the cynical malice in the shape

Of neo-colonialism and its petty local servants.

Many gave in and certain others resisted.

But the frustrations, the successes, the sweat, the blood

Have fortified our courageous people and fertilized its heroic struggle.

 

CHORUS:

And one single night has drawn together

The history of an entire people,

And one single night has launched its triumphal march.

Towards the horizon of good fortune.

One single night has brought together our people

With all the peoples of the World,

In the acquisition of liberty and progress.

Motherland or death, we shall conquer.

 

Nourished in the lively source of the Revolution,

The volunteers for liberty and peace

With their nocturnal and beneficial energies of the 4th of August

Had not only hand arms, but also and above all

The flame in their hearts lawfully to free

Faso forever from the fetters of those who

Here and there were polluting the sacred soul of independence and sovereignty.

 

CHORUS

 

And seated henceforth in rediscovered dignity,

Love and honour partnered with humanity,

The people of Burkina sing a victory hymn

To the glory of the work of liberation and emancipation.

Down with exploitation of man by man!

Forward for the good of every man

By all men of today and tomorrow, by every man here and always!

 

CHORUS

 

Popular revolution our nourishing sap.

Undying motherhood of progress in the face of man.

Eternal hearth of agreed democracy,

Where at last national identity has the right of freedom.

Where injustice has lost its place forever,

And where from the hands of builders of a glorious world

Everywhere the harvests of patriotic vows ripen and suns of boundless joy shine.

 

CHORUS

 

Internet Page: www.primature.gov.bf

 

B.Faso in diferent languages

 

eng | arg | ast | bre | cat | ces | cor | cym | dan | dsb | est | eus | fao | fin | fra | fur | glg | glv | hau | hrv | hsb | hun | ina | ita | jav | jnf | kin | lim | lin | mlg | mlt | nld | nor | oci | pol | roh | ron | run | rup | slk | slv | sme | spa | sqi | srd | swa | swe | szl | tet | tur | vor | wol | zza: Burkina Faso

aze | crh | kaa | tuk | uzb: Burkina-Faso / Буркина-Фасо

deu | ltz | nds: Burkina Faso / Burkina Faſo

ind | msa: Burkina Faso / بوركينا فاسو

afr: Boerkina Fasso

bam: Burukina Faso

bos: Burkina Faso / Буркина Фасо

epo: Burkino

frp: Burkina Fasô

fry: Bûrkina Faso

gla: Buircina Fhaso

gle: Buircíne Fasó / Buircíne Fasó

hat: Boukina Faso; Boukinafaso

ibo: Buakina Faso

isl: Búrkína Fasó

kmr: Bûrkîna-Faso / Буркина-Фасо / بوورکینا فاسۆ

kur: Bûrkîna Faso / بوورکینا فاسۆ

lat: Burcina Faso

lav: Burkinafaso

lit: Burkina Fasas

lld: Burkina Fasso

mol: Burkina Faso / Буркина-Фасо

nrm: Burqùinafaso

por: Burquina Faso; Burkina Faso

que: Burkina Phaso

rmy: Burkina Faso / बुर्किना क़ासो

scn: Burchina Fasu

slo: Burkinafasozem / Буркинафасозем

smg: Borkėna Fasos

smo: Purukina Faso

som: Burkiina Faaso

vie: Buốc-ki-na Pha-xô

vol: Burkinän

wln: Bourkina Fasso

abq | alt | che | chm | chv | kbd | kir | kjh | kom | krc | kum | oss | rus | tyv | udm: Буркина-Фасо (Burkina-Faso)

bul | mkd | mon: Буркина Фасо (Burkina Faso)

bak | tat: Буркина-Фасо / Burkina-Faso

bel: Буркіна-Фасо / Burkina-Faso

kaz: Буркина-Фасо / Bwrkïna-Faso / بۋركينا-فاسو

srp: Буркина Фасо / Burkina Faso

tgk: Буркина-Фасо / بورکینه فسا / Burkina-Faso

ukr: Буркіна-Фасо (Burkina-Faso)

ara: بوركينا فاسو (Būrkīnā Fāsū); بوركينا فاصو (Būrkīnā Fāṣū); بركينا فاسو (Burkīnā Fāsū); بركينا فاصو (Burkīnā Fāṣū)

fas: بورکینا فاسو (Būrkīnā Fāso)

prs: بورکینا فاسو (Būrkīnā Fāsō)

pus: بورکينا فاسو (Būrkīnā Fāso)

uig: بۇركىنا فاسو / Burkina Faso / Буркина-Фасо

urd: برکینا فاسو (Barkīnā Fāso)

div: ބުރުކީނަ ފަސޯ (Burukīna Fasō); ބުރުކީނާ ފާސޯ (Burukīnā Fāsō)

heb: בורקינה-פסו (Bûrqînah-Fasô); בורקינה-פאסו (Bûrqînah-Fâsô)

lad: בורקינה פ'אסו / Burkina Faso

yid: בורקינאַ פֿאַסאָ (Burkina Faso)

amh: ቡርኪና ፋሶ (Burkina Faso)

ell: Μπουρκίνα Φάσο (Mpoyrkína Fáso)

hye: Բուրկինա Ֆասո (Bourkina Faso)

kat: ბურკინა ფასო (Burkina Ṗaso)

hin: बुर्कीना फासो (Burkīnā Pʰāso); बुर्किना फ़ासो (Burkinā Fāso); बर्किना फासो (Barkinā Pʰāso)

ben: বুর্কিনা ফাসো (Burkinā Pʰāso)

pan: ਬੂਰਕੀਨਾ ਫਾਸੋ (Būrkīnā Pʰāso)

kan: ಬುರ್ಕೀನ ಫಾಸೊ (Burkīna Pʰāso)

mal: ബുര്ക്കിനാ ഫാസോ (Burkkinā Pʰāsō); ബുര്ക്കിന ഫാസോ (Burkkina Pʰāsō)

tam: புர்கினா பாசோ (Purkiṉā Pāčō); பர்கினோ பாஸோ (Parkiṉō Pāsō)

tel: బర్కీనా ఫాసో (Barkīnā Pʰāsō)

zho: 布基纳法索 (Bùjīnà Fǎsuǒ)

jpn: ブルキナ・ファソ (Burukina Faso); ブルキナファソ (Burukinafaso)

kor: 부르키나파소 (Bureukinapaso)

mya: ဘူကီးနားဖာဆုိ (Bʰukìnà Pʰasʰo)

tha: บูร์กินาฟาโซ (Bū[r]kinā Fāsō)

khm: ប៊ូរគីណាហ្វាសូ (Būrkīṇā Hvāsū); ប៊ូគីណាហ្វាសូ (Būkīṇā Hvāsū)

 

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