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Burkina Faso

Village Artisanal de Ouagadougou – Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso is a little known country in West Africa (many people know it by its former name of Upper Volta).  It is completely landlocked by Mali, Niger, Benin, Togo, Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire and borders the Sahara Desert. 

Burkina is one of the poorest countries in the world.  Around 90% of its population are subsistence farmers, with a life expectancy of around 50 years, literacy levels of around 20%, and high infant mortality rates.  With very limited natural resources to “attract” the western world, Burkina relies heavily on international aid.

Burkinabes have a rich cultural history of music and craft.  They host the biannual Pan African Film Festival and in the alternate year the Salon International Artisinal de Ouagadougou (SIAO) – West Africa’s largest craft trade fair.

The Village Artisanal de Ouagadougou is located in Ouagadougou - the country’s capital city - and was built in 2000 with funding provided by the Luxembourg Agency for Development Cooperation.  The Village was purpose built to showcase the artistic works of Burkina’s most talented artisans and is a fascinating place to visit . 

Set in a tranquil setting you can spend many hours exploring the workshops and watching the artisans creating beautifully handcrafted pieces– they’re weaving, painting, carving, sewing, sculpting, beading, paper making, silver smithing, and making bronze.  There is no ‘hard sell’ but, unless you are reasonably fluent in the French language, communication can be difficult.

The artisans have a seven year contract to work from the Village, and workshop leases are highly sought after.   They pay rent for their work spaces and a 10% commission on sales towards the administration of the Village. 

The administration area co-ordinates export orders and an American Peace Corps volunteer is currently working as a business development manager to teach the artisans about product development and business skills.

Batik


Batik

Toureg Leather artisans


Batik

Painting the leatherwork


Batik

Bronze craftsman at work


Batik

Silversmith at work


Papiers du Sahel – Burkina Faso

BurkinaPapiers du Sahel is a women’s paper-making co-operative in Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina Faso.  This project was initiated in 2001 by an American woman (Beth Jacob) to generate income for women so that they could provide for their children.  All profits go to the women and to the running of the centre.  The co-operative employs more than twenty women who recycle paper to make photo albums, greeting cards and writing paper.  This project is supported by the French Embassy in Ouagadougou, which donates its shredded scrap paper for recycling. 

The Co-operative had an exhibition display at the Salon International Artisanal de Ouagadougou (SIAO) - West Africa’s largest trade fair – in 2006 and won the Cetel Award for Excellence in Recycled Products.  As a result of winning this award (and the prize of $US2000) Papiers du Sahel was selected for a place at Village Artisanal de Ouagadougou – one of only twelve new places available.  This was a great achievement for the Co-operative, giving it exposure to export markets and tourists.

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