Gaoua

Gaoua
Market Scene in Gaoua
Gaoua Location within Burkina Faso, French West Africa
Coordinates: 10°19′N 3°10′W / 10.317°N 3.167°W / 10.317; -3.167
Country	Burkina Faso
Region	Sud-Ouest Region
Province	Poni Province
Department	Gaoua Department
Elevation	339 m (1,112 ft)
Population  (2019 census)[1]
• Total	45,284
Time zone	UTC+0 (GMT)

Gaoua is a market town in southern Burkina Faso known for its superstitious values and customs.^{[citation needed]} The population, rested at 45,284. (2019 census) ^[1] Located in the red earth, green hills, and fast flowing streams of southwestern Burkina Faso, Gaoua is the capital of Poni Province and forms a sort of capital for the sacred rites and bush lore of the Lobi peoples. According to local myth, Gaoua was founded when the Lobi migrated across from northern Ghana where they found the Gan people peoples occupying the territory. As a result, they named the trek across to Gaoua Gan-houo meaning "route of the Gan people".^[2]

Entrance (left) and front (right) of the Musée du Poni (May 2016)

Attractions in the town include a sacred grove of trees, the Poni Museum (Musée des Civilisations des Peuples du Sud-Ouest or Musée du Poni) and caves. There is also a mosque on elevated ground near the centre. The Gaoua Catholic parish Church of the Sacred Heart will be the cathedral for the newly erected Catholic Diocese of Gaoua.^[3]