Gaoua

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Gaoua
Gaoua is located in Burkina Faso
Gaoua
Location within Burkina Faso, French West Africa
Coordinates: 10°19′N 3°10′W / 10.317°N 3.167°W / 10.317; -3.167
Country  Burkina Faso
Region Sud-Ouest Region
Province Poni Province
Department Gaoua Department
Population (2008)
 • Total 28,023
Time zone GMT (UTC+0)

Gaoua is a market town in southern Burkina Faso known for its superstitious values and customs.[citation needed] Population 26,023 (2008 est.) [1] Located in the red earth, green hills, and fast flowing streams of southwestern Burkina Faso, Gaoua is the capital of Poni Province and forms a sort of capital for the sacred rites and bush lore of the Lobi peoples. According to local myth, Gaoua was founded when the Lobi migrated across from northern Ghana where they found the Gan peoples occupying the territory. As a result they named the trek across to Gaoua Gan-houo meaning "route of the Gan people".[2]

Attractions in the town include a sacred grove of trees, a museum and caves. There is also a mosque on elevated ground near the centre. The Gaoua Catholic parish Church of the Sacred Heart will be the cathedral for the newly-erected Catholic Diocese of Gaoua.[3]

Coordinates: 10°19′N 3°10′W / 10.317°N 3.167°W / 10.317; -3.167

[edit] References

  1. ^ World Gazetteer, Retrieved on June 17, 2008
  2. ^ Manson, K., Knight, J. (2006), Burkina Faso, p.226, Bradt Travel Guides, The Globe Pequot Press Inc., Retrieved on June 17, 2008
  3. ^ http://translate.google.com/translate?tl=en&sourceid=ie8-activity&u=http%3A%2F%2Fpress.catholica.va%2Fnews_services%2Fbulletin%2Fnews%2F28470.php%3Findex%3D28470%26lang%3Den
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