Burkina Faso
The Culture of Burkina Faso
The People
Burkina Faso's population of 13.6 million is growing annually at 2.6 percent. More than 60 languages are used in Burkina Faso, but most widely spoken are Moore, Dioula, Fulfulde, and Gurmantchema. Both Muslims and Christians inhabit Burkina Faso, they respect each other's holidays and beliefs. Men usually wear a Muslim robe and women wear a wraparound skirt with a blouse or T-shirt.
Customs and Courtesies
Before engaging in social activity Burkinabe take time to greet each other and shake hands. Burkinabe use the right hand to greet people, pass items, and eat. Food is not treated casually and meals are eaten in general silence. Urban families tend to eat together, and they use a dining table and utensils more often than their rural counterparts.
Lifestyle
Large families are the norm in Burkina Faso, especially in rural areas, where a family might have 10 or more children. Men play cards and board games such as checkers. Burkina Faso's main staple is sorghum, millet, or corn flour cooked into a hard porridge known as to. Soccer is the most popular sport in Burkina Faso, followed by cycling, boxing, volleyball, basketball, and handball.
Society
Burkina Faso is a parliamentary democracy. The economy depends largely on subsistence agriculture and raising cattle. Burkinabe face numerous health problems, including dysentery, hepatitis, diarrhea, malaria, and AIDS. The government is trying to improve health conditions, and primary-care clinics have recently been built in all cities.