5th August: Burkina Faso Independence Day

Burkina Faso Independence Day, celebrating their independence from France, this day in 1960.

1. Until 1984, the country was known as Upper Volta, which related to the location of the country on the Volta river. Burkina Faso means land of the upright/honest people.
2. The capital and largest city is Ouagadougou - the city's name means “You are welcome here at home with us”. The second largest city is Bobo Dioulasso.
3. The Mossi are the largest ethnic group in Burkina Faso, constituting more than 40% of the population. They are said to be descended from Yennenga, a warrior princess, and Rialé, a solitary Mandé hunter who rescued her when she lost her way while out riding. The national football team is nicknamed "Les Etalons" ("the Stallions") in reference to her Horse.
4. The highest peak is Ténakourou, at an elevation of 749 meters (2,457 ft).
5. Burkina Faso was home to Africa's Che Guevara - a Marxist-Leninist revolutionary named Thomas Sankara. He took control of Burkina Faso in 1983. It was he who changed the name of the nation from Upper Volta to Burkina Faso. He refused to pay back loans from other countries, telling them, ‘you played the game, you lost.’ He criticised the corruption of other leaders and instead of using the ministerial Mercedes he got around using a Renault 4 or a bicycle. He advocated women’s liberation, and his government, accordingly, included a large number of women. He allied the country with North Korea, Libya and Cuba. He was overthrown in 1987 by his former ally, Blaise Compaore, who, it is thought, ordered Sankara's assassination, and took over as President for the next 27 years.
6. Gold is Burkina Faso’s main export, followed by Cotton and animal products. Burkina Faso is Africa’s largest producer of cotton.
7. Ouagadougou hosts the Panafrican Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou (FESPACO) every two years. It is the largest African cinema festival on the continent. Also every two years, the city hosts the largest craft market in Africa.
8. The predominant religion is Islam, although there is a sizeable minority of Christians. Many people also adhere to animism. A popular saying in Burkina Faso claims that "50% are Muslim, 50% are Christian, and 100% are animist".
9. The Flag is red and Green with a Yellow star. Red symbolises revolution, green symbolises natural resources and the yellow star is the guiding light to revolution.
10. Burkina Faso has a population of 16.3 million - the citizens are known as Burkinabè.