Burkina Faso shakes off more of it’s colonial past on Aug 4, 1984
On August 4,1984 the former French colony République de Haute-Volta changed its name to Burkina Faso.
land of the honest men
Soldier, Emblem and Flag
Issued by Burkina Faso in 1984
Designer: Lougue Kou
The renaming of Upper Volta to Burkina Faso marked a significant shift in the country’s identity. The decision was made to embrace a new nationalistic and culturally rooted name. ‘Burkina’ translates to ‘upright’ or ‘honest’ in Mòoré and Dioula, two of the country’s major languages, while ‘Faso’ means ‘fatherland’ in Dioula. The new name aimed to reflect the values of integrity and patriotism that the nation aspired to uphold.
This change had a profound impact on the country’s sense of pride and solidarity. It symbolized a break from colonial legacies and a reclamation of their African heritage. The new name resonated with the citizens, fostering a sense of unity and shared purpose.
By adopting Burkina Faso as the official name, the government aimed to reorient the country towards a future characterized by self-determination and empowerment. The renaming was not merely symbolic but a declaration of a new era, in which the people of Burkina Faso were determined to forge their own path and shape their destiny.
https://www.mooflife.com/burkina-faso/moment/renaming-upper-volta-the-birth-of-burkina-faso
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