Burkina Faso: Wearing Faso Dan Fani, the government promotes national identity and supports the local economy
School uniforms in Burkina Faso are about to undergo a remarkable transformation. The Faso Dan Fani will make its entry in schools.The initiative is much more than a simple change of uniform. For the President of the Burkina Faso revolution, the decision has a dual benefit: it creates jobs, promotes traditional dress and boosts local consumption.
Following the announcement by the responsible Minister, Burkina Faso schoolpupils are to wear Faso Dan Fani uniforms at the start of the next school year.
This decision, revealed at the end of the Council of Ministers, was enthusiastically welcomed by the population.
On the question of the apparent lack of orders, the government clarified that the adoption of this uniform would be gradual and non-binding over a period of four years.
The government also reassured that schoolchildren would not be excluded for non-compliance with this measure.
This decision echoes a previous government commitment to this tradition-based indigo textile woven. A few weeks earlier, it was revealed that Burkina Faso’s public higher education and research institutions would be adopting a new Faso Dan Fani for official ceremonies.
This initiative symbolizes a national desire to develop and promote local talent. Faced with the difficulties of employing young people, President Ibrahim Traoré is opting for vocational training in universities to help students become self-employed.
Olivier TOE
