OuagadougouGeneral Information about OuagadougouOuagadougou is the capital and largest city of the African nation Burkina Faso. The city of Ouagadougou is home to over 1.1 million people and the most commonly spoken language is French. The name Ouagadougou dates back to the 15th century when two African tribes were fighting for control. The Yonyonse tribe were victorious and named the city Wogodogo, meaning 'where people get honour and respect. Ouagadougou is a corruption of Wogodogo. The city's name is often shortened to just Ouaga.
One of the most popular places to visit is the Musee de Manega which lies on the outskirts of the Ouagadougou city in the village of Manega. This museum specialises in musical instruments and the arts of Burkina Faso and was established by Titinga Frederic Pacere. Many artifacts in the museum were used in rituals which took places in the Niger Valley and date from the 2nd century to the 11th century. Another popular attraction is the Parc Animalier de Ziniare which is a zoo that is located just outside of Ouagadougou in the President's home town.
There are also many other museums in Ouagadougou such as the Ethnography Museum which contains an impressive collection of Mossi aftifacts, The National Museum and the Snake Museum.
The Moro-Naba Palace in Ouagadougou is often very busy on Friday mornings. Starting at 6am a traditional drama is performed called the Nabayius Gou, or 'The Emperor Goes To War'. The drama depicts the emperor being held back by his wife and subjects as he tries to go and start a war with his brother.
During festivals and holidays there are many traditional dances to been seen as well as much traditional music. The south west of Ouagadougou is rich in folklore and enjoys many traditional activities. BACK TO TOP |
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