Travel Guide Koudougou

With a little over 120,000 inhabitants (in 2018), Koudougou, nicknamed "the rebel", is the third largest city in the country, after the capital and Bobo-Dioulasso, and the capital of the Boulkiemdé province. Formerly populated by the Gourounsi, the city was conquered by the Mossi several centuries ago. Koudougou was known to be the headquarters of the state-owned company, Faso Fani, created by Thomas Sankara and which produced loincloths with Burkinabe motifs of great originality. Thomas Sankara's rise to power coincided with a desire to promote Burkinabe, and African, culture in general, in conjunction with a policy with a clearly marked social and national orientation. Thus, in order to compete with the large European companies that produced Africa's "clothes" (wax) and to boost the national economy, Sankara decided to impose the compulsory wearing of African clothing produced by the state-owned company, Faso Fani. Unfortunately, after many years of operation and despite a quality production, this company is no longer in business today.On the political side, Koudougou, which has many schools and a university, is known as a rebel city. Indeed, the son of Maurice Yaméogo, the first president of independent Upper Volta, a native of Koudougou, presented himself as one of the most virulent opponents of Blaise Compaoré. In 1987, when President Thomas Sankara was assassinated, it was in Koudougou that the resistance was organized. In 1998, journalist Norbert Zongo, from Koudougou, was killed in obscure conditions. Finally, in February 2011, it was still in Koudougou that a high school student, Justin Zongo, died in a police station, in a suspicious manner. This will be the trigger for the riots that will spread throughout the country.As for tourism, Koudougou may be the third largest city in Burkina Faso, but it has few major attractions, except for the annual music festival (Les Nuits Atypiques (NAK)) and the ceremonies of the red horsemen, former slaves in the service of the Mossi and their leader, the Mogho Naba. These rituals take place during the city's celebrations and important events. You can go to the ruins of the Naaba Valley Palace (free photos!), visit the Rayimi Museum or the large market with its vaulted roof and domes, an unusual architecture in the region. About ten kilometres away, Lake Sabisgo is ideal for a bike or motorcycle ride.The Koudougou region is also home to a large community of Yonyonsé, the first inhabitants of the region. Although most of them were assimilated into the Mossi Empire, they still keep some of their traditions and, each year, they organize festivals dedicated to the ancestors.To be read: Stéphanie Jouan. The Chronicles of Koudougou. 2007. The Harmattan