This marks the inaugural episode of a unique series, designed to connect with authors in their homelands. Today, we journey to Burkina Faso to meet Roukiata Ouedraogo, the acclaimed humorist, actress, and writer. During an extensive interview conducted in Ouagadougou, she openly shared insights into her formative years, the genesis of her career, and the causes she champions.
Roukiata Ouedraogo, a distinguished Franco-Burkinabè author, humorist, and actress, was born in Burkina Faso. She spent her childhood navigating between Fada N’Gourma and Ouagadougou before making France her home in the early 2000s. Her vibrant artistic journey has been shaped by a powerful synergy of theatre, writing, humor, radio, and a deep commitment to social causes.
Her literary works offer poignant reflections on her life and heritage. Among these is « Ouagadougou pressé », a narrative that paints a vivid picture of her experiences.
In « Ouagadougou pressé », Roukiata recounts her preparations to return to Burkina Faso from her small Parisian studio. She reflects on the challenge of choosing gifts that will delight her family without leaving her entirely depleted. From colorful Parisian tops for her cousins to a two-slice toaster for her mother, she weaves a tale of her spirited youth as a ‘gazeuse’ (young, lively girl) in the Ouagadougou suburbs, contrasting it with her current existence in Paris’s ‘Little Africa’. The book is filled with laughter, introducing a vibrant cast of characters: the bicycle chicken grillers, the neighborhood matriarchs, the hairdressers of Château-Rouge. Readers are captivated by the boys’ charming flirtation tactics and the clever schemes devised to outwit her father, affectionately nicknamed ‘Chien Méchant’ (Mean Dog), all to attend the coveted high school graduation ball. Beautifully complemented by Aude Massot’s dynamic and expressive illustrations, this book stands as a joyous ode to childhood, family bonds, enduring friendship, and the beauty of difference. It’s a story that evokes much laughter, but also touches deeper emotions.
With a light yet nostalgic pen, Roukiata tenderly and humorously recounts her childhood in Burkina Faso in her book « Du miel sous les galettes » (Honey Under the Fritters). She vividly portrays the land’s crushing droughts and torrential rains, the inherent warmth of its people, alongside the challenges of corruption and poverty. She delves into her family’s story, including the injustice of her father’s arrest. Above all, she celebrates her mother: a tall, beautiful woman, a true ‘rock’ who single-handedly raised seven children, tirelessly battling to make ends meet by selling her delicious fritters from her doorstep. For the young Roukiata, these honey fritters forever symbolize the taste of childhood and her beloved homeland.
The musical backdrop for this insightful journey is provided by DESIRE SANKARA‘s evocative track, Ouagadougou.