Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso sits in the heart of West Africa, far from any ocean, but rich in culture and spirit. The name Burkina Faso means "Land of Honest People" in the Mooré and Dioula languages — and the country's people are known across the region for exactly that: warmth, honesty, and an extraordinary community spirit.

Ouagadougou (say: Wah-gah-DOO-goo!), the capital, is one of West Africa's most vibrant cities and home to FESPACO — the Pan-African Film and Television Festival, the most important film event on the African continent. Every two years, filmmakers from across Africa and the diaspora gather here, making Burkina Faso a cultural heartland of African cinema.

The country is home to more than 60 ethnic groups, each with their own language, traditions, and festivals. Traditional music with balafon (wooden xylophone), drums, and kora fills the air at ceremonies and village celebrations. Colourful woven fabric and bronze casting are important crafts, and the weekly markets overflow with handmade goods and spices.

Burkina Faso's landscape moves from the green south to the sandy Sahel in the north, where baobab trees stand against golden skies. Despite facing many challenges as one of the world's least-wealthy nations, the people of Burkina Faso demonstrate extraordinary resilience, creativity, and pride in their heritage — there is so much to admire and learn from in this remarkable country.