A History of Burkina Faso

About this book:

This sweeping narrative invites readers to journey through the layered past of Burkina Faso, from the ancient hunter‑gatherer camps and iron‑working sites that first shaped the Sahelian plateau to the rise of the Mossi kingdoms and the diverse, acephalous societies of the southwest. You will discover how geography, trade, and cultural exchange forged a mosaic of peoples whose alliances and rivalries defined the region long before any foreign flag appeared on the horizon.

The book then turns to the tumultuous encounter with European powers, detailing the fierce resistance of the Mossi and other groups during the French conquest, the establishment of the colony of Upper Volta, and the exploitative systems of head tax, forced labor, and migration that rewrote everyday life. You will see how colonial rule sparked early uprisings like the Volta‑Bani War, how the territory was repeatedly dissolved and reconstituted, and how a nascent elite of évolués began to question the foundations of foreign domination.

Moving into the post‑independence era, the text chronicles the fragile first republic under Maurice Yaméogo, the cycle of military coups that followed, and the dramatic emergence of Thomas Sankara’s revolutionary government. You will experience the fervor of the August Revolution, the ambitious programs of self‑sufficiency, women’s rights, and Pan‑Africanist defiance, and the tragic end of Sankara’s dream in 1987, followed by Blaise Compaoré’s long rule marked by stability, patronage, and growing dissent.

The latter chapters bring the story into the twenty‑first century, examining the Black Spring uprising of 2014, the fragile transition that ensued, and the rise of jihadist insurgency that has ravaged the Sahel. You will learn how the conflict intersected with local grievances, displaced millions, and prompted a shift toward new foreign alliances and a militarized civic identity, all while cultural expressions like FESPACO and music continued to resonate amid crisis. Finally, the book leaves you at the present crossroads, urging reflection on what the future may hold for a nation that continually strives to live up to its name: the Land of the Upright People.

What You'll Find Inside:

• The book traces Burkina Faso's deep pre-colonial roots, from early hunter-gatherers and iron-working societies to the rise of the Mossi kingdoms and other decentralized societies like the Lobi and Gurunsi.
• It details the French conquest, the establishment of the colony of Upper Volta, and the exploitative systems of forced labor, head taxes, and indirect rule that shaped colonial society.
• The narrative explores the turbulent post-independence era marked by a series of military coups, the brief but transformative revolution of Thomas Sankara, and his assassination in 1987.
• It examines the long rule of Blaise Compaoré, the Black Spring uprising of 2014 that toppled him, and the subsequent fragile transition and return to military rule in 2022.
• The book concludes with an analysis of the current jihadist insurgency in the Sahel, the reorientation of foreign policy toward Russia and the Alliance of Sahel States, and the ongoing struggle to balance security, humanitarian crisis, and cultural identity.

Who's It For:

This work is ideal for students and scholars of African history, particularly those focusing on West African state formation, colonialism, and post-colonial politics. It will also benefit policymakers, development practitioners, and anyone interested in understanding the roots of Burkina Faso's contemporary security crisis and its recurring cycles of revolution and military rule. General readers seeking a comprehensive yet accessible narrative of a nation's struggle for identity and sovereignty will find the book both informative and engaging.