Burkina Faso’s music reflects the country’s many peoples and languages, with griot traditions, balafon, drums, string instruments, dance music, and modern popular styles all playing important roles.
Burkina Faso is home to some 60 different ethnic groups, each with their own variety of folk music. The country has produced very little popular music compared to its neighbors, which includes African musical giants like Nigeria and the Ivory Coast. Burkinabé traditional music, however, has continued to thrive in spite of the influx of popular styles, and the country's cultural, and musical, output remains quite diverse.The national anthem of Burkina Faso is "Une Seule Nuit", written by Thomas Sankara. It has been the official anthem of the country since 1984, when Upper Volta became known as Burkina Faso. It remains even after Sankara was murdered in a coup, the leader of which remains in power.
Overview adapted from Wikipedia’s “Music of Burkina Faso” article.
“Balaké” offers an example of Burkina Faso’s modern popular music, shaped by the country’s strong rhythmic and storytelling traditions.
This second performance broadens the view of Burkina Faso’s varied musical culture and performance traditions.