Wall Painting

Wall painting is the tradition that gives women collective pride and self-esteem manifested in the process of bambolse, a term used exclusively to describe embellishment or decoration to add aesthetics to wall decoration. Geometric patterns and symbols of people and animals cover these walls. You can see crocodiles and snakes wind their way across the walls. The creatures swim in a sea of stars, moons, geometric designs, etc. The town of Tiébélé in Burkina Faso is a living example of traditional art and architecture. The Kassena have kept the beautiful artistic style of their ancestors alive in their unique royal court – making Tiébélé a ‘must-see’ for anyone visiting Burkina Faso.

Although this society is polyamorous, this tradition gives women a chance to showcase their individuality while serving as social interaction and a way to please their husbands. The women say that this art form is a part of their life in the same way that eating or sleeping is incorporated.