Why Ouagadougou is City of Rhythm, Fashion and Fun

Business Daily (Nairobi)

Immaculate Karambu

22 July 2011

opinion

One unique thing you will notice on arriving at Ouagadougou, the capital city of Burkina Faso, is a motor-bike traffic jam.

It is a city that is known for bikes that have made it almost impossible to see pedestrians as most residents use them for running errands around the town and its environs. They are not used for commercial transport though.

As many children and women as men ride motor-bikes here and it is safe to assume that almost every family has at least one. The few motorists we asked said they bought them at around $800 from local sellers who source them from China.

Ouagadougou is now only five hours from Nairobi thanks to the recent launch by Kenya Airways of a direct flight, which saves time spent in connecting destinations. The Business Daily spoke to Maxime Toe, a sales and station manager at the newly opened Kenya Airways office in Burkina Faso on why the national carrier chose the West African country as its 55th destination.

Although the main reason was to tighten the company’s grip on African routes, particularly with the view of connecting Eastern Africa to their Western and Southern neighbours, he said that they will be banking on the rich cultural experiences at Burkina Faso to make the route a preference for business and leisure tourists.

Burkina Faso is largely known for its rich cultural heritage that spans from diverse talents in performance arts, music and film.

It is best known locally for the biannual FESPACO film festival, the largest film event in Africa that attracts film lovers from around the world and honours creative talents in filming.

Last year, Kenya’s Jane Murago, the director of Cinearts Afrika scooped a top award at the festival for her biography documentary film that featured Monica Wangu, the mother of politician Koigi Wamwere.

Within Ouagadougou city is a popular market known as the artisan market. Here, a range of artists including sculptors, painters and weavers have shops for manufacture, display and sale of finished artistic products.

The market is adjacent to a space that is used for a biannual International art and Craft Fair popularly known as SIAO.

Although not so popular outside West Africa, the annual Kunde d’Or is yet another attraction to the West African state. This is an event held every year to recognise talent in music.

Elementary knowledge of the French language is advisable when on a visit to Burkina Faso. Majority of Ouagadesh speak French, which is traced to the colonial masters.

When in the city for leisure, it is almost unforgivable for one to leave the country without visiting the Roodwoko market.

This famous market is located within the city centre and offers shoppers a mixture of western and traditional fashion styles blended with traditional African beadwork.

Its authentic name, Roodwoko, reflects the original purpose for which it was established; to display traditional fashion and cultural style of the people of Burkina through the various items on sale.

With time, its uniqueness has been fading as similar markets to it have been set up at various parts of the country. “It is sort of losing its uniqueness as people visiting the market are now setting up similar markets wherever else they settle,” said Mr Toe.

Unlike Nairobi, Burkina Faso’s capital cannot boast of many major hotels. The few that are a popular choice for tourists include Laico hotel, the newest built in 2006, Silmande, Azailai, Palm Beach hotel, Palace and Pacific hotels.

There is a zoo within Ouagadougou but should you yearn for the wild, you have to drive almost two hours to Arli National park which lies on the border between Niger, Benin and Burkina Faso.

Tourists who dare can go game-hunting around the eastern part near the Benin border where West African elephants abound. You might also find lions and buffaloes.

Some parts of the country especially towards the border of Mali still hold traditional wrestling matches which according to Mr Toe are purely entertainment and would be worthwhile for foreigners. Like Kenya, the staple food in Burkina Faso is maize. The traditional meal, Tô, is prepared like Kenyan Ugali and served with accompaniments of one’s choice. Other dishes made of rice and meat are also served.

AllAfrica – All the Time