1429, 1952 BURKINA FASO - At the market

1952 Burkina Faso - Women at the market

Posted on 31.01.2015, 11.10.2015

There are more than 60 ethnic groups in Burkina Faso, so it is difficult to say to which belong people shown in the postcards. The most predominant group are the Mossi, mainly farmers, concentrated in the central portions of the country. Other groups are the Bobo (in the southwest; mostly farmers, artisans, and metalworkers), Fulani (in the north; a nomadic, pastoralist trading people), Gurunsi, Senufo, Lobi, and Mand. Agriculture represents 32% of the country gross domestic product and occupies 80% of the working population, although only 13% of the land is cultivated. In general is a subsistence agriculture, due to the highly variable rainfall and to poor soils, but also due to primitive methods.

1429 Burkina Faso -Two men at the market

Regarding the religion, it seems that about 60% of the Burkinabé practice Islamism, while about 23% of the population are Christians, and 15% follow traditional indigenous beliefs.so it is difficult to say to which belong the people shown in the postcards. Therefore, neither regarding the religion of the people shown in the postcards I can't make any specification, although the man from the left of the postcard 1429 wears a Kufi cap, initially an islamic headdress, but now worn in West Africa also by Christians. Anyway, traditionally, when worn by men, the kufi is a sign of peace, mourning, renewal or protection of the mind. I can say also that women in postcard 1952 aren't in any case Muslim.

In Burkina Faso, as in many others African countries, markets are colorful, and bring together people of many ethnicities, speaking many languages, but quite often similar dressed. In these markets is selling and is bought goods of all kinds, from food to products needed for everyday life or handicrafts. In the postcard 1429 can be seen two men trying to sell some agricultural tools, which don't seem to be industrial products, but rather made by craftsmen.The women from the postcard 1952 sell woven baskets, widely used in Burkina Faso.

About the stamps
On the postcard 1429
The first stamp is part of the series The Riches of the Forest, designed by Issaka Derra & Ahoua Yameogo, and issued on November 30, 2012:
• Jujube / Ziziphus jujuba (100 XOF)
• Kaga / Detarium microcarpa (200 XOF)
• Shea tree / Vitellaria paradoxa (500 XOF) - it's on the postcard
• Plum (1500 XOF)

The second stamp is one of the two issued on October 15.2010, to celebrate the World Health Day:
• Blood donation (100 XOF)
• Fight against Malaria (160 XOF) - it's on the postcard

The third stamp is part of the series Transportation, issued on August 16, 2010:
• Bicycle (30 XOF) - it's on the postcard
• Donkey Cart (70 XOF)

On the postcard 1952 
The stamp depict the coat of arms of Burkina Faso.

References
Burkina Faso - Wikipedia
Ethnic groups in Burkina Faso - Wikipedia

Sender 1952: Holger Kaufhold
Sent from Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso), on 10.03.2015
Photo: Django Cissé
Sender 1429: Savadogo Rasmane
Sent from Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso), on 16.12.2014