Ouagadougou

About Ouagadougou

Ouagadougou, or simply Ouaga, is the capital of Burkina Faso and one of the great cultural crossroads of West Africa. It grew from the seat of the Mossi kings, whose ruler, the Moro Naba, still holds a weekly ceremony at his palace, into a sprawling city of red-earth streets, busy markets and boulevards lined with monuments.

Its reputation as a creative capital rests on two famous festivals. FESPACO, held since 1969, is Africa's best-known film festival, and the SIAO crafts fair draws artisans from across the continent. Between them, the National Museum, the music museum and the artisans' village show off the masks, instruments, bronze casting and textiles of the country's many peoples.

Day to day, life revolves around the central Grand Marché and the cathedral nearby, while Parc Urbain Bangr-Weoogo offers green shade. The granite sculpture park at Laongo is a popular day trip. Security conditions in Burkina Faso can change quickly, so check current official travel advice before planning a visit.