Ouagadougou: The Heartbeat of Burkina Faso

• HelloSalut
  [sa-loo]
• GoodbyeAu revoir
  [o ru-vwar]
• YesOui
  [wee]
• NoNon
  [no]
• Please/You're welcomeS'il vous plaît / De rien
  [seel voo pleh / deh ryen]
• Thank youMerci
  [mer-see]
• Excuse me/SorryExcusez-moi/Désolé
  [ex-kew-zay mwah / deh-soh-lay]
• How are you?Comment ça va?
  [ko-mohn sah vah]
• Fine. And you?Bien. Et toi?
  [byen. ay twah]
• Do you speak English?Parlez-vous anglais?
  [par-lay voo ahn-glay]
• I don't understandJe ne comprends pas
  [zhuh nuh kohm-prahnd pah]

• I'd like to see the menu, pleaseJe voudrais voir le menu, s'il vous plaît
  [zhuh voo-dray vwahr luh meh-noo, seel voo pleh]
• I don't eat meatJe ne mange pas de viande
  [zhuh nuh mahnj pah duh vyand]
• Cheers!Santé!
  [san-tay]
• I would like to pay, pleaseJe voudrais payer, s'il vous plaît
  [zhuh voo-dray pay-ay, seel voo pleh]

• Help!Au secours!
  [o seh-koor]
• Go away!Allez-vous en!
  [al-lay vooz ahn]
• Call the Police!Appelez la police!
  [ah-peh-lay lah pee-lees]
• Call a doctor!Appelez un médecin!
  [ah-peh-lay uh may-deh-sahn]
• I'm lostJe suis perdu
  [zhuh swee pair-doo]
• I'm illJe suis malade
  [zhuh swee mah-lahd]

• I'd like to buy...Je voudrais acheter...
  [zhuh voo-dray zah-shey...]
• I'm just lookingJe regarde juste
  [zhuh ruh-gard zhoost]
• How much is it?Combien ça coûte?
  [kohm-byen sah koot]
• That's too expensiveC'est trop cher
  [say troh shair]
• Can you lower the price?Pouvez-vous baisser le prix?
  [poo-vay voo beh-say luh pree]

• What time is it?Quelle heure est-il?
  [kell ur ay eel]
• It's one o'clockIl est une heure
  [eel ay oon ur]
• Half past (10)Dix heures et demie
  [dees ur ay duh-mee]
• MorningMatin
  [mah-tan]
• AfternoonAprès-midi
  [ah-pray mee-dee]
• EveningSoir
  [swah]
• YesterdayHier
  [yehr]
• TodayAujourd'hui
  [oh-zhoor-dwee]
• TomorrowDemain
  [duh-mahn]
• 1Un
  [uhn]
• 2Deux
  [duh]
• 3Trois
  [twah]
• 4Quatre
  [kat]
• 5Cinq
  [sank]
• 6Six
  [sees]
• 7Sept
  [set]
• 8Huit
  [weet]
• 9Neuf
  [nuf]
• 10Dix
  [dees]

• Where's a/the...?Où est...?
  [oo ay...]
• What's the address?Quelle est l'adresse?
  [kell ay lah-dress]
• Can you show me (on the map)?Pouvez-vous me montrer (sur la carte)?
  [poo-vay voo muh mohn-tray (soor lah kart)]
• When's the next (bus)?Quand est le prochain (bus)?
  [kahnd ay luh proh-shang (boos)]
• A ticket (to ....)Un billet (pour ....)
  [uhn bee-yay (poor)]

Ouagadougou, the capital city of Burkina Faso, traces its roots back to the 11th century when it was founded by the Mossi people. The city's name is derived from 'Wogodogo,' which means 'where people get honor and respect.' Over the centuries, Ouagadougou evolved into the political and cultural heart of the Mossi Kingdom.

In the late 19th century, Ouagadougou became a focal point during the Scramble for Africa. In 1896, the city was occupied by French forces and became part of French West Africa. Under French colonial rule, Ouagadougou was transformed into an administrative center, leading to infrastructural developments such as the construction of railways and administrative buildings.

Ouagadougou played a key role in the country's journey to independence. In 1960, Upper Volta (now Burkina Faso) gained independence from France, with Ouagadougou as its capital. The city became the epicenter for national political activities and developments as the new nation sought to establish its identity and governance structures.

One of the most significant periods in Ouagadougou's modern history was the revolutionary government led by Thomas Sankara from 1983 to 1987. Sankara, often referred to as 'Africa's Che Guevara,' implemented sweeping reforms aimed at reducing corruption, promoting social justice, and advancing women's rights. Ouagadougou was at the heart of these transformative initiatives, which left an indelible mark on the city's socio-political landscape.

Ouagadougou is renowned for its vibrant cultural scene, most notably the FESPACO (Pan-African Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou). Established in 1969, FESPACO is the largest film festival on the African continent, attracting filmmakers and audiences from around the world. The city's cultural tapestry is also enriched by traditional Mossi ceremonies, artisanal crafts, and music festivals that celebrate Burkina Faso's diverse heritage.

In recent decades, Ouagadougou has experienced significant urban development and modernization. The city has expanded with new residential areas, commercial centers, and infrastructure projects. The construction of landmarks such as the Monument des Héros Nationaux and the Ouaga 2000 district symbolizes the city's ongoing transformation and aspirations for the future.

Ouagadougou is served by Ouagadougou International Airport (OUA), located about 3 kilometers from the city center. The airport offers direct flights to and from several major cities in Africa and Europe. Once you arrive, you can take a taxi or an airport shuttle to reach your accommodation. There are also bus services connecting Ouagadougou to other cities in Burkina Faso and neighboring countries.

Transportation within Ouagadougou includes taxis, car rentals, and motorbike taxis (known locally as 'moto-taxis'). Taxis are relatively affordable and can be hailed on the street or booked via phone. Public minibuses are available but can be crowded and less reliable. For a local experience, you can also rent a bicycle to navigate the city's flat terrain.

The official currency in Burkina Faso is the West African CFA franc (XOF). Credit cards are accepted in some hotels, restaurants, and shops, but cash is preferred, especially in smaller establishments. ATMs are available throughout Ouagadougou, but it's advisable to carry sufficient cash for emergencies or when visiting rural areas. Currency exchange services can be found at the airport and in major banks.

While Ouagadougou is generally safe for tourists, it's important to stay vigilant. Avoid walking alone at night, especially in poorly lit areas. Be cautious in crowded places like markets and bus stations, as petty theft and pickpocketing can occur. Areas such as Zogona and Tampouy have higher crime rates, so it's best to stay alert if you need to visit these neighborhoods.

In case of an emergency, dial 17 for police assistance, 18 for fire services, and 112 for medical emergencies. Major hospitals in Ouagadougou include the Yalgado Ouédraogo University Hospital and the Schiphra Hospital. It's recommended to have travel insurance that covers medical emergencies. Pharmacies are widely available for minor health issues and over-the-counter medications.

Fashion: Do dress modestly, especially when visiting religious sites or rural areas. Avoid wearing overly revealing clothing. Religion: Do show respect for local customs and traditions. Remove your shoes when entering religious buildings. Public Transport: Do be polite and patient when using public transport. Don't display valuables openly. Greetings: Do greet people with a handshake and a smile. Use 'Bonjour' (Good day) as a polite greeting. Eating & Drinking: Do try local dishes and accept invitations to share meals. Don't refuse food or drink offerings, as it can be considered impolite.

To experience Ouagadougou like a local, visit the Grand Marché and Rood Woko Market for a variety of goods, from fresh produce to traditional crafts. Engage with locals, who are often friendly and willing to share stories about their culture and history. Don't miss the National Museum of Burkina Faso for insights into the country's heritage. For a unique experience, attend a traditional dance performance or a live music event, as Ouagadougou is known for its vibrant cultural scene.