BaHur

BaHur is a modest urban center located in the north‑western region of Burkina Faso. It lies roughly 120 kilometres west of the national capital Ouagadougou and is situated near the Sahelian transition zone. The settlement has an estimated population of about 8,500 residents according to the most recent census conducted in 2022. BaHur serves as a local administrative hub for surrounding villages and offers markets, primary education facilities, and a basic health clinic.

Historically, BaHur developed around a colonial-era railway station that opened in the early 20th century. The station, built by the French colonial administration to connect the interior to the Atlantic port of Dakar, fostered trade in agricultural products such as millet, sorghum, and cotton. After Burkina Faso achieved independence in 1960, BaHur gradually evolved into a regional commercial center for trade in textiles and handicrafts, which remain the mainstay of the local economy.

The town exhibits a mix of architectural styles: modest colonial buildings with whitewashed walls, contemporary concrete structures, and traditional thatched‑roof dwellings. The local economy is dominated by agriculture, livestock husbandry, and small‑scale weaving. In addition, BaHur hosts an annual cultural festival, the BaHur Harvest Fair, during which residents display woven fabrics, drum ensembles, and culinary specialties, attracting visitors from neighboring communities.

BaHur is administered as part of the Bam Province within the Centre-Nord Region. The town’s governance structure includes a mayor elected by local councils, and it falls under the jurisdiction of the national Ministry of Interior for public security and administrative oversight. References for this article include the Burkina Faso National Institute of Statistics and Economic Analysis and the World Bank country profile for Burkina Faso.