Virtual Museum of COLONIALISM

The “Saponé” headdress is a traditional accessory made from woven straw and decorated with leather. It takes its name from the village of Sapone, where it is primarily produced. Sapone is located approximately 20 kilometers from Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina Faso.

On 12 April 2022, this headdress received international recognition and was officially registered as a protected cultural product. Its geographical origin was formally certified by the African Intellectual Property Organization (OAPI – Organisation africaine de la propriété intellectuelle). This recognition is regarded as a major cultural achievement for Burkina Faso.

According to historical tradition, in 1358, Naaba Kouda, son of Mossi Emperor Naaba Koumdoumie VIII, was away on military campaigns at the time of his father’s death. Custom required that upon his father’s passing, he should ascend the throne and have his head shaved as part of the royal rite. As he could not be crowned without this ritual, the council of elders decided that he must be found—even during his campaigns—and the ceremony carried out.

Naaba Kouda was eventually located in the area where the present-day Sapone market stands, and it was there that his head was shaved. During this event, the expression “sâ-n-poné” was used in the Mooré (Moré) language, meaning “shave his head here.” Over time, this phrase evolved into the name “Saponé.” The site is today regarded as the place of enthronement of the ninth Mossi emperor, Naaba Kouda, and many inhabitants of Sapone consider themselves descendants of his lineage.

It is from this historically significant expression that the Saponé headdress derives its name. In contemporary times, the Saponé hat is valued across the Sahel region not only for its aesthetic appeal, but also for its practicality in harsh climatic conditions. Offering effective protection from the sun, it is considered a functional, elegant, and culturally significant object