Burkinabé

Burkinabé is the demonym for a person from Burkina Faso, a landlocked country in West Africa. In English, Burkinabé is used for both a single person and the collective group of people from Burkina Faso. In French, the corresponding term is Burkinabè. The spelling with diacritics varies by language and style guide.

The name Burkina Faso informs the demonym. Burkina comes from the Mooré language and means upright or honest, while Faso derives from the local word for homeland or land. Since 1984, when the country adopted the name Burkina Faso, the term Burkinabé has been used to denote nationality and identity, emphasizing heritage rather than a single ethnicity.

Burkinabé communities are highly diverse. The Mossi are the largest ethnic group, with many other communities such as the Dioula (Jula), Fulani (Fulɓe), Bissa, Bobo, Gourmanché, among others. The official language is French, but hundreds of indigenous languages are spoken, including Mooré, Dioula, Fulfulde, and Gourmanchéma. Multilingualism is common, and language use often reflects regional and social contexts. Most Burkinabé are adherents of Islam, Christianity, or traditional beliefs, and cultural life features music, cinema, and crafts that vary by region.

As citizens, Burkinabé participate in national institutions, education, and commerce, contributing to West Africa's cultural and political landscape. The term is widely accepted in international contexts to refer to people from Burkina Faso, regardless of ethnicity.