Current Time in BurkinaFaso

Burkina Faso's culture of time

Burkina Faso's culture of time

Flexible sense of time

Burkina Faso has a very flexible sense of time, and events rarely start exactly at the appointed time, and some delays are considered normal.

Life rhythm in line with nature

Many people act in accordance with the movement of the sun, and it is common to start activities at sunrise and finish activities at sunset.

Social time is valued

Because the culture places importance on conversation and interaction, it is respected to speak slowly without being bound by time, and there are times when rushing is considered rude.

Burkina Faso's values ​​regarding time

Value human relationships over time

There is a tendency to prioritize trust and dialogue with others over following a schedule, and relationships are valued over formality.

It is a virtue to take your time

There is a culture that values ​​taking things calmly, rather than thinking "immediately" or "fast".

The awareness of "sharing" time

Time is not something that belongs to an individual, but is something shared with family and the community, and is used while adjusting within the community.

Things about time that foreigners should know when traveling or relocating to Burkina Faso

People are often late for appointments

It is important to make a schedule with plenty of time, as buses and meetings often do not start on time.

Public institutions have short opening hours

Government offices and banks have limited opening hours, so it is necessary to visit them early. They may close completely during the lunch break.

Nighttime activities are limited

Due to the lack of street lights and security reasons, people rarely stay active late at night, and it is common to spend the evening at home.

Fun facts about time in Burkina Faso

Market opening times are based on sunrise

Many open-air markets open at dawn and reach their peak before the sun is high in the sky, so it's best to visit early in the morning.

Meetings and events "start when people gather"

The actual start time is when enough people gather, rather than the scheduled time, so you need to be flexible.

Time is also expressed uniquely

"Soon" can mean more than an hour from now, not just a few minutes later, and the culture is reflected in the sense of time in words.