50 images Created 30 Apr 2018
Tiebele: the painted villages of the Kassena
My travels in southern Burkina Faso began in the lively town of Po, capital of the Nahouri Province. I headed south to explore the painted houses of the Kassena people in Tiebele, Tengosogo, and Tiakane. It was during the driest period just before the start of the rainy season.
Ancestral lands of the Kassena people (of the Gurunsi ethnic group) cover part of the central-south region of Burkina Faso with neighboring villages spanning central-northern Ghana. The Kassena villages occupy a mostly flat, grassy savanna landscape, areas of lush dense bush, dotted with old growth forest, hills and scattered rock formations.
Driving from Po was on a scenic route. Nearing my destination, I saw a few earthen house ruins with sun-faded traces of ornate wall paintings amid simple, relatively newer cement brick houses. I saw and felt a strong sense of place that hinted at what lied ahead ..and upon arrival in Tiebele I was immediately stunned by the living gallery of colorfully decorated earthen architecture. Over the next four days I was swept up in the magical vibe of the people, the place, and the unique culture. Every turn, unforgettable!
I returned the following year for an extended stay. I spent days roaming the Tiebele villagescape photographing elaborate patterns, symbols, and the endless variations of painted houses that wound through the maze of alleyways, paths, and walls that curved and carved out the fortified village compound. This visit was after the rains, at the time when the women gather to repair and repaint their houses. I also spent more time walking around the more open layout of the Tengosogo compound. Tiakane was more spread out in a series of smaller individual house compounds. The skill and scale still amazing!
Ancestral lands of the Kassena people (of the Gurunsi ethnic group) cover part of the central-south region of Burkina Faso with neighboring villages spanning central-northern Ghana. The Kassena villages occupy a mostly flat, grassy savanna landscape, areas of lush dense bush, dotted with old growth forest, hills and scattered rock formations.
Driving from Po was on a scenic route. Nearing my destination, I saw a few earthen house ruins with sun-faded traces of ornate wall paintings amid simple, relatively newer cement brick houses. I saw and felt a strong sense of place that hinted at what lied ahead ..and upon arrival in Tiebele I was immediately stunned by the living gallery of colorfully decorated earthen architecture. Over the next four days I was swept up in the magical vibe of the people, the place, and the unique culture. Every turn, unforgettable!
I returned the following year for an extended stay. I spent days roaming the Tiebele villagescape photographing elaborate patterns, symbols, and the endless variations of painted houses that wound through the maze of alleyways, paths, and walls that curved and carved out the fortified village compound. This visit was after the rains, at the time when the women gather to repair and repaint their houses. I also spent more time walking around the more open layout of the Tengosogo compound. Tiakane was more spread out in a series of smaller individual house compounds. The skill and scale still amazing!