Global & Western Influences of Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso, though a small and landlocked country, has made notable cultural, political, and artistic contributions that have influenced both the African continent and the Western world. Here’s Burkina Faso’s influences globally and on the Western world:
Global & Western Influences of Burkina Faso
1. Film and Cinema
• FESPACO (Panafrican Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou):
• The largest film festival in Africa, founded in 1969, held in Burkina Faso’s capital, Ouagadougou.
• It has elevated African cinema globally, encouraging Western audiences and scholars to take African storytelling seriously.
• Influence on the Western world:
• Introduced new narratives beyond colonial stereotypes.
• Inspired film schools, critics, and festivals in Europe and North America to feature more African voices.
• Western universities often use Burkinabè films in African studies, film, and cultural studies courses.
2. Music
• Traditional Burkinabè instruments (like the balafon and djembe) are used globally, especially in world music, fusion, and Western music education.
• Burkinabè rhythms and storytelling traditions have influenced jazz, fusion, and percussion ensembles in the West.
• Musicians from Burkina Faso have collaborated with artists across Europe and North America.
3. Art, Fashion, and Craftsmanship
• Renowned for bronze sculptures, wood carvings, and masks that are showcased in European and American museums.
• The Bobo and Mossi peoples’ artistic traditions have influenced African-inspired fashion and décor in the West.
• Traditional textiles and woven cotton have been adapted into high fashion by designers worldwide.
4. Oral Tradition and Storytelling
• Burkina Faso’s griots (oral historians) and storytellers have helped preserve African narratives, influencing:
• African-American cultural movements, especially in reconnecting with African roots.
• Children’s literature, folktale anthologies, and educational material in the West.
5. Thomas Sankara’s Global Political Legacy
• Sankara, president from 1983–1987, became a global symbol of:
• Pan-Africanism, anti-imperialism, feminism, and self-reliance.
• Influence on the Western world:
• He is admired by global activists, especially in socialist, green, and anti-globalization movements.
• Quoted by figures like Noam Chomsky and Angela Davis.
• A symbol of integrity and resistance in Western activist spaces and youth movements.
6. Sustainability and Rural Development
• Burkina Faso has experimented with traditional farming methods (like zai techniques) to combat desertification.
• These methods have been studied and adopted in environmental science programs in Western universities as models of indigenous innovation.
7. Spirituality and Traditional Religion
• Western anthropologists, spiritual seekers, and scholars have shown interest in:
• The cosmology and rituals of the Mossi, Lobi, and Bobo peoples.
• Influences can be seen in New Age movements, comparative religion studies, and art therapy.
8. Ibrahim Traoré creating an independent Burkina Faso
• United the diaspora through continuing the works of the great Thomas Sankara.
• inspiring courage and strength in the hearts of Africans worldwide, showing what it takes for change
In Summary:
Burkina Faso has influenced the world and the Western world by:
• Elevating African cinema through FESPACO.
• Inspiring art, music, and fashion in global culture.
• Sharing traditional ecological knowledge.
• Shaping political thought through the legacy of Thomas Sankara.
• Preserving and sharing oral traditions that enrich global storytelling.