People and Society of Burkina Faso

Nationality

Burkinabe (singular and plural)

Ethnic Groups

Mossi over 40%, Gurunsi, Senufo, Lobi, Bobo, Mande, Fulani

Population

16,241,811

Population in Major Urban Areas

OUAGADOUGOU (capital) 2.053 million

Medical facilities and emergency hospital care are very limited and of poor quality, particularly in areas outside of Ouagadougou. Emergency response services, such as ambulances, are in very short supply, poorly equipped, and in many regions simply nonexistent. Some medicines are available through local pharmacies, though supplies can be limited and quality is inconsistent. Travelers requiring specific medicines should bring an adequate supply for the duration of their stay in Burkina Faso. Malaria is a serious risk to travelers in Burkina Faso and can be fatal. Current medications recommended for malaria prophylaxis include Lariam (Mefloquin), Malarone (Atovaguone/Proguanil) and Doxcycline. Travelers who become ill with a fever or flu-like illness while traveling in a malaria-risk area and up to one year after returning home should seek prompt medical attention and tell the physician their travel history and what anti-malarial drugs they have been taking. For additional information on malaria, including protective measures, please visit the CDC’s website. There are vaccines not routinely given in the United States that are strongly advised before traveling to Burkina Faso. Meningitis and Yellow Fever are endemic in Burkina Faso, and cases are most frequent during the drier, dustier months of January through June. Travelers should confirm their meningitis inoculation is up to date. Tuberculosis remains a considerable health concern in Burkina Faso.

Major Infectious Diseases

Very high

Literacy Definition

Age 15 and over can read and write

Education Culture

During the long school holiday which is usually between July and October most of the children will work on the family farm because this is mostly the rainy season. The children will join the grownups working on the farm doing such chores as planting and weeding using hoes. The girls remain to do house chores which include fetching water from a communal water pump. In some areas that are hardest hit by drought and because of hunger and malnutrition children may not go to school. In some areas, organizations run school feeding programs and kids are given two meals daily which is helping bridge the gap brought by poverty. This has helped to increase enrollment in schools in such areas. The children are given porridge (blended flour) at breakfast and lunch which improves concentration and learning capacity and help keeps children coming to school on time. School feeding is also a powerful incentive encouraging families to send children to school, rather than having them work at home or go outside to earn additional income.

Learning

School begins with a general assembly at about 7:30 a.m. and classes begin immediately thereafter. The average class has about 70 pupils. About three-quarters of the class will be boys because very few girls are allowed to attend school. The official language of the school is French and the lessons take an average of about 40 minutes each. The schools are made of bricks and the roofs are made of iron sheets which can make the class extremely hot. The only advantage may be that there are rarely any windows so the hot wind blows in the classroom bringing just a little relief. Break time is usually the time for children to catch up with one another and for boys, they will play their usual football (soccer) matches with any makeshift balls they make themselves. There usually are not many other games to play because of lack of equipment and balls are easy to get or simply make. Because the population of students per class is quite high, many teachers do not get the time to give personal attention to the students, especially those who are weak or slow. The children in schools are also taught some practical lessons such as how to tend gardens and some students learn to grow vegetables in the school gardens.

• Muslim50.0%
• indigenous beliefs40.0%
• Christian10.0%

French (official), native African languages belonging to the Sudanic family spoken by 90% of the population

• French

Crime Information

Crime in Burkina Faso poses some measure of risk for visitors. Recent incidents of violent crime against visitors have included harassment, robbery, sexual assault, and rape. Non-violent crimes directed against visitors have been theft, burglary, and various confidence scams. Most reported incidents involve purse-snatchers, pickpockets, and street scam artists who target wallets, jewelry, cell phones, and other valuables. Thieves are especially active during international meetings or events which draw large crowds to the capital. The areas near and around the U.N. Circle, Avenue Kwame N’Krumah, and the Central Market in Ouagadougou experience the highest incidence of street crime. Travelers should stay alert, remain in groups, and avoid poorly lit areas. Be especially cautious at night when most reported incidents have taken place. Although violent criminals typically operate at night, there have been daytime attacks. Several attacks have been directed at intercity public buses. U.S. citizen travelers should avoid all intercity and highway travel at night. It is best to check the Embassy website for the latest security information before setting out on your journey. Perpetrators of business fraud often target foreigners, including U.S. citizens. Recent scams that have victimized U.S. citizens have taken many forms, including fraudulent transactions for gold and antiquities. Such fraud schemes are now prevalent throughout West Africa, including Burkina Faso. The scams pose a danger of both financial loss and physical harm. A typical indicator of a business scam is the demand for advance payments on contracts. Persons contemplating business deals in Burkina Faso should contact the commercial section of the U.S. Embassy in Ouagadougou if they have any doubts about the legitimacy of a potential business client or partner. Normally, fraud schemes begin with an unsolicited communication (usually by e-mail) from an unknown individual who describes a situation that promises quick financial gain, often by assisting in the transfer of a large sum of money or gold dust out of the country. A series of "advance fees" must then be paid in order to conclude the transaction. In fact, the final payoff does not exist; the purpose of the scam is simply to collect the advance fees. Common variations of this scheme involve individuals claiming to be refugees, victims of various African conflicts, or former political leaders in need of help in transferring large sums of money. Sometimes perpetrators manage to induce victims to provide bank account and credit card information, and financial authorizations that allow them to incur large debts against the victim’s credit. In some instances, victims have lost their life savings. The best way to avoid becoming a victim of advance-fee fraud is common sense. If a proposition looks too good to be true, it probably is. Research thoroughly any unsolicited business proposal originating from Burkina Faso or any other source before committing funds, providing goods or services, or undertaking travel. Do not purchase counterfeit and pirated goods such as CDs, DVDs, or computer software even if they are widely available. Not only are the bootlegs illegal in the United States, but if purchased, you may also be breaking local law.

Criminal Penalties

While you are traveling in Burkina Faso, you are subject to its laws. Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different than our own. You may be taken in for questioning if you do not have your passport with you. In Burkina Faso, it is illegal to take pictures of certain buildings. Criminal penalties will vary from country to country; in some places driving under the influence could land you immediately in jail. There are also some things that might be legal in Burkina Faso, but still illegal in the United States, and you can be prosecuted under U.S. law if you buy pirated goods. Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is prosecutable in the United States. If you break the law in Burkina Faso, your U.S. passport won’t help you avoid arrest or prosecution. It’s very important to know what is legal and what is not wherever you go. Persons violating Burkina Faso’s laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. Penalties for possessing, using, or trafficking illegal drugs in Burkina Faso can be severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines. Based on the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, bilateral agreements with certain countries, and customary international law, if you are arrested in Burkina Faso you have the option to request that the police, prison officials, or other authorities alert the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate of your arrest, and to have communications from you forwarded to the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. Burkina Faso is not a party to a bilateral agreement that requires mandatory notification.