OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina Faso — In a historic move, Burkina Faso has declared May 15, 2024, as a paid non-working day nationwide to honor the country’s ancestral customs and traditions. This initiative marks the first occasion Burkina Faso has dedicated a day specifically to celebrate its cultural heritage.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the decision was formalized by a decree from President Ibrahim Traoré. The ministry has advised sectors involved in continuous activities to arrange their schedules to maintain minimum operational levels during the holiday. The government has indicated that the purpose of this new holiday is to elevate traditional religions to the same level of recognition as revealed religions. The inaugural celebration will feature rites and public conferences focused on the spirituality of various ethnic groups within Burkina Faso.