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Country Guide > Africa > Burkina Faso | |
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Social Profile Food & Drink Outside hotels, there are few restaurants in Ouagadougou and in Bobo Dioulasso. Staple foods include sorghum, millet, rice, maize, nuts, potatoes and yams. There are many popular dishes incorporating a sauce, eg rice with sauce, beef and aubergine with sauce, etc. Local vegetables and strawberries are available in season. Specialities include brochettes (meat cooked on a skewer) and chicken dishes. Beer is very reasonably priced. Nightlife Nightlife is particularly good in Ouagadougou and Bobo Dioulasso. There are several nightclubs in Ouagadougou, some with live music, and several cinemas, both open-air and air conditioned. Bobo Dioulasso has a lively street-cafe scene, good open-air bars and restaurants and a number of open-air and air-conditioned discos. Shopping Good markets exist in Bobo Dioulasso, Dori, Gorom-Gorom, Oahigouya and Ouagadougou. Bargaining in the traditional marketplace is recommended. Purchases include wooden statuettes, bronze models, masks, worked skins from the tannery in Ouagadougou, jewellery, fabrics, hand-woven blankets and leather goods and crafts ranging from chess sets to ashtrays. Shopping hours: Mon-Sat 0800-1400 and 1600-1700. Some shops may be open Sunday and there are daily markets in the main towns. Special Events At around 0600 on Fridays, Nabayius Gou (‘the Emperor goes to war’) is a traditional ‘drama’ performed at the Moro-Naba Palace in Ouagadougou depicting the magnificently bedecked emperor being restrained by his wife and subjects as he sets off to make war with his brother. Traditional music and dancing can also be seen on festivals and holidays, especially in the southwest region which is rich in folklore. The following is a selection of special events occurring in Burkina Faso in 2005: Feb 26-Mar 5 FESPACO Pan-African Film and Television Festival, Ouagadougou. Mar 20-27 Internet Festival. Oct-Nov International Arts and Crafts Fair, Ouagadougou. Nov 4-6 End of Ramadan, nationwide. Social Conventions Women are always expected to dress modestly since this is a Moslem country. Within the urban areas, many French customs prevail. Dress should be casual and appropriate for hot weather. Lounge suits for men and formal wear for women are required for evening entertainment. Burkina Faso is a fascinating country because of its diversity: over 60 ethnic groups dwell in this country, proud to be Burkinabé, and yet, keen to preserve their own social and cultural idiosyncrasies. Outside the cities, little has changed for centuries and visitors should respect local customs and traditions. Tipping: Service is generally included in the bill (about 10 to 15 per cent) although it is customary to tip taxi drivers, porters and hotel staff. Tipping is more expected in the better-class restaurants. |