National Museum of Burkina Faso
The national collection in Ouagadougou, built around masks and the country's ethnic diversity.
Updated 3 September 2026
The national museum in Ouagadougou presents a country of some sixty language groups through what they make: masks above all, from the tall plank masks of the Bwa and Nuna to the fibre and wood forms used by the Mossi and Bobo, along with textiles, musical instruments and material on the ironworking traditions that UNESCO later inscribed. Pavilions are arranged by theme across a garden site.
What to look for
- The mask galleries - plank, fibre and wood forms from across the country.
- The textiles - strip-woven cloth and dyed work from the different regions.
- The ironworking displays - the smelting traditions of the country's furnace sites.
- The pavilion layout - the collection spread across a garden site.
When to go
November to February is the cool dry season. The museum keeps daytime hours and closes one day a week. March to May is extremely hot.
Practical notes
The museum has been through long periods of reorganisation and parts are often closed. Labelling is in French only. Photography is restricted.
Nearby
Bangr-Weoogo Urban Park is north, and the Moro-Naba palace is nearby.
What to pack for National Museum of Burkina Faso
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
- A slim anti-theft daypack - Zips that close properly; keep it in front in crowds and on transit. Find on Amazon
- A refillable water bottle - Many cities have public fountains; save money and plastic. Find on Amazon
- A light layer + compact umbrella - For museum air-con and a sudden shower. Find on Amazon
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Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.
