Ouagadougou
Capital and largest city of Burkina Faso.
Ouagadougou is the capital and largest city of Burkina Faso, serving as the nation's administrative, communications, cultural, and economic centre. Its name, often shortened to Ouaga, is a Francophone spelling of Wagadugu, which means "home of the Wagu," referencing the Soninke subgroup that once ruled the Ghana Empire. The city was possibly founded as early as 1050 by the Soninke Wangara diaspora. In the 14th century, the Mossi people conquered the area, and according to legend, it was taken by Oubri, a grandson of Ouedraogo. The Wagadugu Kingdom was established in the 15th century, becoming the main centre of the Mossi States around 1495. The first Moro-Naba to live in Ouagadougou did so in the mid-17th century, and it became the permanent capital a century later. The Moro-Naba Ceremony is still performed every Friday. The first mosque was built early in the 19th century. French forces burned the city to the ground in 1896, but in 1919 the colonial administration made it the capital of the Upper Volta territory and rebuilt it. The arrival of the railroad from Ivory Coast in 1954 spurred massive population growth. The city's primary industries are food processing and textiles. It is served by an international airport and linked by rail to Abidjan and, for freight only, to Kaya. Highways connect it to Niger, Ghana, and Ivory Coast. Ouagadougou has one of West Africa’s largest markets, which burned down in 2003 but has since reopened with better facilities. Other attractions include the National Museum of Burkina Faso, the Moro-Naba Palace, the National Museum of Music, and several craft markets. The city is divided into five arrondissements and 30 sectors. Its climate is hot semi-arid, with a rainy season from May to September and a cool season from October to February.
- country
- Burkina Faso
- language
- French (official), More, Dyula, Fulfulde
- known_for
- Capital and largest city of Burkina Faso; administrative, cultural, and economic centre
Lore & Background
The 10th Moro Naba, Nyadfo, was the first to live at Ouagadougou in the mid-17th century, and it became the permanent capital under the 21st Moro Naba, Zombre, a century later. The Moro-Naba Ceremony is still performed every Friday. The city, whose name is often shortened to Ouaga, was founded possibly as early as 1050 by the Soninke Wangara diaspora from the Ghana Empire, also known as Wagadu; the name means "home of the Wagu." The Mossi people conquered the area in the 14th century, and the Wagadugu Kingdom became the main center of the Mossi States around 1495. French forces burned the city in 1896, but the colonial administration rebuilt it as the capital of Upper Volta in 1919. The arrival of the railroad from Ivory Coast in 1954 spurred massive population growth. Today, Ouagadougou is the administrative, communications, cultural, and economic hub of Burkina Faso, with a 2019 population of over 2.4 million. Its primary industries are food processing and textiles. The city has one of West Africa’s largest markets, which burned down in 2003 but reopened with improved facilities. Other attractions include the National Museum of Burkina Faso, the Moro-Naba Palace, the National Museum of Music, and several craft markets. The climate is hot semi-arid, with a rainy season from May to September and a cool season from October to February. The city is divided into five arrondissements and 30 sectors. French is the official language, with More, Dyula, and Fulfulde as principal local languages.
Reader's Guide
Ouagadougou is the political, economic, and cultural heart of Burkina Faso. Its primary industries are food processing and textiles, and it is served by an international airport and linked by rail to Abidjan and Kaya. Cultural attractions include the National Museum of Burkina Faso, the Moro-Naba Palace, the National Museum of Music, and several craft markets. The city is also home to the SIAO (International Arts and Crafts fair) and FESPACO (Panafrican Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou). Ouagadougou's climate is hot semi-arid, with a rainy season from May to September and a cool season from October to February.
Did You Know?
- Ouagadougou's name is derived from the French orthography common in former French African colonies.
- The city's primary industries are food processing and textiles.
- The Moro-Naba Ceremony is still performed every Friday by the Moro-Naba and his court.
- The Bangr-Weoogo urban park was considered a sacred forest by the Mosse chiefs before colonialism.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Ouagadougou?
Ouagadougou is the capital and most populous city of Burkina Faso, acting as the country's administrative, cultural, and economic heart. Locals commonly shorten the name to "Ouaga" in daily conversation.
What are Ouagadougou's powers/role?
The city functions as Burkina Faso's central hub for government, communications, and commerce, concentrating the nation's decision-making and trade activity in one place. It is where the country's administrative machinery and major cultural institutions are based.
How does Ouagadougou's story end?
Because Ouagadougou is a living city rather than a fictional character, it has no canonical ending—it simply continues to grow and evolve as Burkina Faso's capital. Its ongoing narrative is defined by its enduring role as the nation's administrative and cultural engine.
More in Cities And Urban Areas 1-23
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