Gaoua

Gaoua
Gaoua
Location within Burkina Faso, French West Africa
Coordinates: 10°19′N 3°10′W / 10.317°N 3.167°W / 10.317; -3.167
Country  Burkina Faso
Region Sud-Ouest Region
Province Poni Province
Department Gaoua Department
Elevation 339 m (1,112 ft)
Population (2008)
 • Total 30,931
Time zone UTC+0 (GMT)
Market Scene in Gaoua

Gaoua is a market town in southern Burkina Faso known for its superstitious values and customs. The population, at last estimate, rested at 30,931 (2012 est.) [1] Located in the red earth, green hills, and fast flowing streams of southwestern Burkina Faso, Gaoua is the capital of Poni Province and forms a sort of capital for the sacred rites and bush lore of the Lobi peoples. According to local myth, Gaoua was founded when the Lobi migrated across from northern Ghana where they found the Gan people peoples occupying the territory. As a result, they named the trek across to Gaoua Gan-houo meaning "route of the Gan people".[2]

Entrance to the Musée du Poni (May 2016)
Front of the main building of the Musée du Poni (May 2016)

Attractions in the town include a sacred grove of trees, the Poni Museum (Musée des Civilisations des Peuples du Sud-Ouest or Musée du Poni) and caves. There is also a mosque on elevated ground near the centre. The Gaoua Catholic parish Church of the Sacred Heart will be the cathedral for the newly erected Catholic Diocese of Gaoua.[3]


Coordinates: 10°19′N 3°10′W / 10.317°N 3.167°W / 10.317; -3.167

References

  1. ↑ World Gazetteer, Retrieved on June 17, 2008
  2. ↑ Manson, K., Knight, J. (2006), Burkina Faso, p.226, Bradt Travel Guides, The Globe Pequot Press Inc., Retrieved on June 17, 2008
  3. ↑ http://press.catholica.va/news_services/bulletin/news/28470.php?index=28470&lang=en

Gaoua travel guide from Wikivoyage

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