Burkina Faso (French: Burkina Faso ) is an inland country in West Africa , and all its territory is located on the southern edge of Sahara Desert . Its area is only 270,000 square kilometers, ranks 74th in the world's national area, close to the area of Guangxi, my country, and is not as large as the entire Yunnan Province.
▲Farmers of Burkina Faso
The country is scarce in resources and is located on the edge of the desert, with a small area of arable land. The only railway in the territory is from the capital Ouagadougou to Côte d'Ivoire . Burkina Faso is one of the countries with the lowest literacy rate of in the world, with only about 23% of the people literate.
▲Farmers' Market in Burkina Faso
The main fruits here include bananas, pineapple, dates, figs , olives and citrus.
Of course, there are several lesser-known fruits.
■Fruits can be eaten raw, trees can make furniture. Néré
▲Néré Ripe fruit
Néré, also known as African locust beans. Its seeds, pods, pulp and leaves are all edible. The seed portion can also be fermented and used to make soumbala (a famous local food).
▲Néré food made by
Néré wood part is also used in lightweight buildings, as well as a variety of furniture and utensils. Immature pods can also be used for fishing.
In addition to this, African locust beans are often used as ornamental plant . And it is also soil improver , whose leaves provide green manure for the soil.
■Balanites aegyptiaca
▲Fruits hanging on the tree
Balanites aegyptiaca is a very important tree in the whole of West Africa.
The meaty parts of immature and ripe fruits are edible and can also be dried and made into beverages and sweets. In addition, it can also be processed into alcoholic wine and soup ingredients. Burkina Faso women also use it to make natural soap.
▲The pickled fruit
tender leaves and buds can be regarded as vegetables. Just boil it, mash it, and add some animal fat and it can be fried into a delicacy.
Balanites aegyptiaca has a lot of nectar, so locals also regard it as an auxiliary food and suck its nectar.
■The symbol of the African land " Baobab "
Baobab is a symbol of Africa and has been given spiritual meaning by many people.
▲The fruit hanging on the tree
In Africa, Baobab trees are full of mystery... Many people believe that it protects the people around them, and the fruit nourishes living beings.
Baobab trees growing in hot and dry areas at low altitudes can grow up to more than 15 meters. This long-standing fruit tree not only provides food to creatures on the African continent, but also becomes the material for people to make mats and baskets in daily life. In the past, people also hollowed out the middle of tall baobab trees for refuge or water storage.
▲Mature baobab
Baobab fruit matures and harvests from April to June. The shape is oval and wrapped in a green-gray shell and fluffy "hair". The fruit has dry white powder and countless seeds inside, containing many nutrients and dietary fiber, which tastes spicy and sour.
Baobab powder has a long shelf life and can also be used to make refreshing, nutritious drinks, or added to snacks, desserts and dishes.
■The endangered Capparis corymbosa (Silcoitga)
▲Unripe fruit
Capparis corymbosa is an evergreen prickly shrub with many branches, up to 6 meters high, and usually climbing stems up to 10 meters long.
The fruit it grows is spherical, smooth and green. However, once it matures, it turns red or even dark purple. Its flesh is juicy and orange and can be eaten raw or cooked. Leaves, flowers and seeds can all be used as seasonings and placed in dishes to increase the flavor of the dish.
▲It is endangered
Although it is widely distributed, over-exploitation, bushfires and desertification have made it die, and in some areas it has become an endangered species.
■Sububga (Sububga) with symbolic meaning
▲Subagga
Gardenia erabescens, commonly known as "sububga" or "souba", is a shrub with a height of 1 to 3 meters. At the tip of the winding branches of the shrub, it produces pear-shaped gray or green fruits that turn yellow when ripe. The fruit part can be eaten fresh or cooked with beans.
Subuga is mainly distributed in the Koulkuy region of Burkina Faso, but it is generally wild, so you can only find it in the wild.
▲ Picked subugga
sububga For people in the east, it is part of the gift given to their future wives by their fiancé's family during the wedding. But, on the other hand, it seems to be another curse for pregnant women.
Postscript:
▲ Locals are making food
This is a country that makes people feel heavy.
Because when we are searching for fruits in the world, there are still 3 million people struggling to feed and wear food and clothing in this country called "Burkina Faso".
The poverty in Burkina Faso not only stems from the climate and land, but also has scarce natural resources and a weak industrial foundation. Although about 80% of people engage in subsistence agriculture, they are still the main exporter of foreign labor in neighboring African countries.
▲ Burkina Faso locals
Although Ouagadougou, the capital city located in the center of the country, is relatively prosperous in economy and is also the largest city in Burkina Faso, and is the cultural and economic center. But it cannot conceal the fact that Burkina Faso is "one of the countries with the lowest literacy rates in the world" and "one of the least developed countries".
At this time, looking at our living environment, it makes people feel lucky.
