Travel Guide Fada N’gourma

The capital of the Gourma kingdom was once Pama before becoming, in the th century, Fada N'Gourma, on our own days of Lieu province. It is said that his founder Yendabri stayed for eleven years in a cave before leaving his house and creating that city. He chose to erect his kingdom's head in this place to defend enemy incursions from the south. Indeed, the Tomba were increasingly pushing the north to the Gourmantché who had left their ancient capital. The cemetery of the city of Fada still houses the graves of the various kings who followed the head of the kingdom until the beginning of the twentieth century, when the royal power was no longer transmitted, because of infighting. The Gourma who inhabit it have a common origin with Les (northern Ghana) with whom they share many customs, such as facial scarifications, but also the origins of their language, the system of social hierarchy and the spirit of conquest. Fada N'Gourma is the main city of this region, with over 50 000 inhabitants named Les and Fadalaises or Fadayaba, and represents an important road crossing. To the east, the route of Niger, and to the south, that of Benin. Fada is a beautiful, living city that deserves at least a small break to visit its central market. It is also the starting town of the loop we suggest for visiting the Eastern region. It is the last well-stocked town before embarking on the trails of natural reserves.