Musée des Poni
A museum at Gaoua covering the Lobi and the peoples of southwestern Burkina Faso.
Updated 3 September 2026
The Musée des Poni at Gaoua covers the peoples of Burkina Faso's southwest, above all the Lobi, whose carved wooden figures, the bateba, are placed on household shrines to act on behalf of the family and are among the more distinctive sculptural traditions in West Africa. The museum also covers the ruins scattered across the region, including Loropéni, and the iron and gold working that the area was known for. The Poni is the river the district takes its name from, and the museum sits above it on the edge of Gaoua rather than in the town centre.
The main sights
- The bateba figures - the carved Lobi shrine sculptures the region is known for.
- The Lobi material - household objects, weapons and ritual items.
- The ruins displays - the account of Loropéni and the region's stone enclosures.
- The metalworking - the iron and gold traditions of the southwest.
When to go
November to February is the cool dry season. The museum keeps daytime hours and closes some days. March to May is extremely hot.
What to expect
The museum is small and an hour covers it. Labelling is in French only. Opening hours are irregular.
Nearby
Obiré is west, and the Ruins of Loropéni are west.
What to pack for Musée des Poni
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
- Comfortable walking shoes - Sightseeing means kilometres of pavement and cobbles daily. Find on Amazon
- Modest clothing - Shoulders and knees covered - the single most common requirement. Find on Amazon
- A slim anti-theft daypack - Zips that close properly; keep it in front in crowds and on transit. Find on Amazon
- A scarf or shawl - To cover the head or shoulders on entry; women especially at mosques. Find on Amazon
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Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.
