In this first episode of a groundbreaking series, we meet an author in the place they call home. Today, we sit down with Roukiata Ouedraogo, a multi-talented Burkinabè-French writer, comedian, and actress. Born in the heart of Burkina Faso, she shares her formative years, early career, and lifelong battles in a candid conversation held in Ouagadougou.
From Ouagadougou to Paris: a journey of creativity and resilience
« I’m an author, comedian, and actress of Burkinabè descent. Born in Burkina Faso, I spent my childhood between Fada N’Gourma and Ouagadougou before moving to France in the early 2000s. My artistic journey has been shaped by theater, writing, humor, radio, and activism. »
In this intimate conversation held in her native land, Roukiata discusses her upbringing, the challenges she faced, and her unwavering commitment to storytelling. Her works, including Ouaga Presse and Du miel sous les galettes, offer a vivid portrayal of life in Burkina Faso—its struggles and joys, its cultural richness, and the resilience of its people.
Childhood memories and cultural roots
« In her tiny rented room in Paris’s 18th arrondissement, Roukiata packs her bags for a trip home to Burkina Faso. What to take? What to leave behind? How to please everyone without emptying her suitcase? Between colorful tops from Paname Tati, sure to be snatched up by her cousins, and a two-slice toaster with a crumb tray for her mother, she recounts her wild youth as a young woman from the outskirts of Ouagadougou, all the way to her current life in the Parisian ‘Little Africa.’ »
With humor and warmth, she paints a vivid picture of her neighborhood—its chicken roasters on bicycles, the formidable women of the district, and the hairdressers of Château-Rouge. She recounts the flirting tactics of the local boys and the clever ruses used to outsmart a father nicknamed ‘Chien Méchant’ to avoid missing the high school graduation dance. Accompanied by Aude Massot’s lively and dynamic illustrations, this book is a celebration of childhood, family, friendship, and diversity. There’s plenty of laughter… but not only that. »
A tribute to family and resilience
With a light yet nostalgic touch, Roukiata recounts her childhood in Burkina Faso—the harsh droughts and torrential rains, the warmth of its people, the corruption, and the hardships. She speaks of her family, particularly the injustice that struck her father with an arrest. But above all, she speaks of her mother, a towering and beautiful woman, a rock who single-handedly raised her seven children, struggling to make ends meet by selling delicious honey-drizzled galettes from her doorstep. For young Roukiata, these galettes would forever taste of childhood and the homeland she cherishes.
Official website of Roukiata Ouedraogo
Musical illustration: Ouagadougou by Désiré Sankara
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