The Republic of Upper Volta was a landlocked West African country established on 11 December 1958 as a self-governing state within the French Community. Before becoming autonomous, it had been part of the French Union as the French Upper Volta. On 5 August 1960, it gained full independence from France. On 4 August 1984, it changed its name to Burkina Faso.

Etymology

The name Upper Volta indicated that the country contains the upper part of the Volta River.

History

Upper Volta obtained independence on 5 August 1960, with Maurice Yaméogo of the Voltaic Democratic Union-African Democratic Rally (UDV-RDA) becoming the country's first president. A constitution was ratified the same year, establishing presidential elections by direct universal suffrage and a National Assembly, both with five-year terms. Shortly after coming to power, Yaméogo banned all political parties other than the UDV-RDA. He had shown a deep authoritarian streak even before becoming president. Between the time he became prime minister of Upper Volta while it was still a French colony and independence two years later, opposition parties were subjected to increased harassment. On 3 January 1966, Yaméogo was overthrown in a coup d'état led by army chief Sangoulé Lamizana. Although multiparty democracy was nominally restored four years later, Lamizana dominated the country's politics until he was himself overthrown in 1980. After a series of short-term presidencies, Thomas Sankara then came to power through a military coup d'état on 4 August 1983. After the coup, he formed the National Council for the Revolution (CNR), with himself as president. Under the direction of Sankara, the country changed its name on 4 August 1984, from Upper Volta to Burkina Faso, which means "Land of Incorruptible People".

Politics

From 1958 to 1960, the Republic of Upper Volta was led by a high commissioner: From 1971 to 1987, the Republic of Upper Volta was led by a prime minister:

Symbols

Flag

The colours of the national flag corresponded to the names of its three main tributaries: the Black Volta, the White Volta and the Red Volta.

National Hymn

In French: Fière Volta de mes aieux, Ton soleil ardent et glorieux Te revêt d'or et de fierté Ô Reine drapée de loyauté ! Nous te ferons et plus forte, et plus belle À ton amour nous resterons fidèles Et nos cœurs vibrant de fierté Acclameront ta beauté Vers l'horizon lève les yeux Frémis aux accents tumultueux De tes fiers enfants tous dressés Promesses d'avenir caressées Le travail de ton sol brûlant Sans fin trempera les cœurs ardents, Et les vertus de tes enfants Le ceindront d'un diadème triomphant. Que Dieu te garde en sa bonté, Que du bonheur de ton sol aimé, L'Amour des frères soit la clé, Honneur, Unité et Liberté. In English: Proud Volta of my ancestors, Your ardent and glorious sun Takes you with gold and pride O Queen draped with loyalty! We will make you stronger and more beautiful To your love we will remain faithful And our hearts vibrant with pride Will acclaim your beauty Towards the horizon look up Frisks with the tumultuous accents Of your proud children all trained Caressed promises of future The work of your burning ground Endless will soak the ardent hearts, And the virtues of your children The girdle of a triumphant diadem. May God keep you in his goodness, May the happiness of your beloved soil, The love of the brethren be the key, Honor, Unity and Freedom. This anthem was replaced in 1984 by a new anthem, the Ditanyè.

Cultural references

During the 1960s, the Soviet Union was sometimes derisively referred to as "Upper Volta with rockets", coined by a journalist Xan Smiley, referencing USSR's disproportion of defence sector over relatively undeveloped civilian economy.