Introduction

The village of Tiébélé, in the Nahouri province of Burkina Faso, is a unique place where the traditional architecture of the Kassena, a people belonging to the Gourounsi ethnic group, has resisted the influence of modernity. The houses of Tiébélé are not mere shelters, but living testimonies to a rich and complex culture, where every shape, colour and pattern carries a profound message.

Houses for every stage of life

The village of Tiébélé is home to three types of traditional house, each dedicated to a particular stage of life :

• The authentic house in the shape of an 8 : This type of house, made up of two adjoining rooms forming a figure 8, is the traditional residence of grandparents. It reflects the importance of passing on traditions and the education of young girls, which is the responsibility of the elders. This unique shape, found nowhere else in Burkina Faso, is a symbol of Kassena identity and was adopted by the royal family in the 16th century.
• The rectangular house: This type of house, usually square, is reserved for young couples. Its construction symbolises the start of a new life and the establishment of a home.
• The round house: This thatched house was designed for single men. Young unmarried women live with their grandparents in the 8-shaped house until they marry.

Kasséna tradition attaches particular importance to the millet granary, used to store millet in ears. This space is considered sacred, and women are strictly forbidden to access it to collect millet.

millet. This prohibition, rooted in the values of honour of Kasséna society, underlines the specific place and role of women within the community.

Colour and motifs : A symbolic language

The choice of colours and motifs on the walls of the huts is a complex language, rich in meaning. Red symbolises endurance and courage, white represents purity, and black evokes bravery. These three dominant colours are used to create motifs that tell the story of the Kassena people.

There are representations of the boa, a divinity and reincarnation of the ancestors; the tortoise, a respected and protected totem animal; the women’s traditional scarification marks; the fishing net, a symbol of their ancestral practice; and traditional clothing, including that used for funeral rites. These motifs are not merely decorative; they are hieroglyphs that tell the story of the origins of the Kassena people, their beliefs, their activities and their way of life.

Women : guardians of history and culture

The painting of the huts is entrusted to pure women, those who are not menstruating or who have not recently given birth, and who are not in a situation of impurity. This choice reveals the central place that women occupy in the transmission of Kassena culture. The woman, the bearer of life and guarantor of the perpetuation of the people, is also responsible for preserving history and traditions. The motifs she paints on the walls are like hieroglyphics that tell of the origins of the Kassena people, their beliefs, their activities and their way of life.

Conclusion

Kassena houses are much more than shelters; they are open books that reveal the history and culture of this people. The architecture, colours, motifs and construction techniques tell a complex and fascinating story, revealing the wisdom and depth of the Kassena culture. This architectural heritage, a true visual language, is a precious testimony to the know-how and creativity of this people, and calls for the preservation of these ancestral traditions.