Burkina Faso, formerly known as the Republic of Upper Volta, is a country in West Africa with a population of over twenty million. It borders Mali to the north and, among others, Ghana and Togo to the south. The country's economy largely relies on agriculture, and Burkina Faso also faces political instability as well as a humanitarian crisis. Despite these challenges, Burkina Faso boasts remarkable cultural wealth. While French is the official language, there are also 66 minority languages spoken in the country. Burkina Faso is home to many ethnic groups, including the Malinke, Fulani, and the Voltaic peoples, such as the Mossi, Gurma, and Koromfe. This article is dedicated to the culture and history of the last group, presented from the perspective of the Koromfe. It was made possible thanks to the courtesy of Dr. Lucjan Buchalik, director of the City Museum in Żory, who facilitated contact with members of the Kurumba community.
The Koromfe people, also known as the Kurumba or Koromba, are among the earliest inhabitants of Burkina Faso. They refer to themselves as Bèrba. In the Dogon language, they are called Tèlèm or Tôlôy, while the Mossi named them Yonyonssé or Nionyonse. Different languages use distinct names for this community, reflecting their long history and relationships with other groups.
The Kurumba inhabit the northern regions of Burkina Faso and the southern part of Mali. Their society consists of exactly 74 family clans. The territory they occupy is divided into three independent kingdoms: Pela in the west, Loromi in the center, Karo in the east and Tèra in the south. The name Loromi is derived from the legend of an iron house, from which the first ancestors of the Kurumba emerged to establish their kingdom. According to beliefs, this sacred house follows the community wherever they go, providing strength and protection.
The Kurumba culture is based on a system of seniority and mystical powers symbolized by sacred objects such as the Tôbga axe, the Kanay mask, and the Kanay Dāng emblem. Communal rituals integrating the society also play a crucial role. The Kurumba are masters of agriculture, perform special rain-related rituals, and support researchers in this region of Burkina Faso.
The history of the Kurumba dates back to the 7th and 8th century when their community began forming in present-day Burkina Faso. In the following centuries, other groups arrived in the region, such as the Gourmche in the 10th century, the Ninissé Samo in the 11th century, and the Mossi in the late 13th and early 14th centuries. Despite historical changes and external influences, the Kurumba have maintained their cultural integrity and heritage, which remains a significant part of Burkina Faso's history.
In Pobé-Mengao, the capital of the Loromi kingdom, the Korom-Wondè Museum is dedicated to anthropology, ethnology, and archaeology. It preserves the heritage of the royal dynasties of the Koromba empire. The museum's first building was established in 1979 through the initiative of His Royal Majesty Ayô Sinda, King of Loromi, and its founder Aimissi Sawadogo.
The second building, depicted in the photograph, was funded by the German and French embassies. It was constructed as part of a project to return the Houre Bi (Mamio) statuette, which was taken to Germany in 1991. The statuette was returned to the Pobé-Mengao community in 2001. The current building was erected between 2003 and 2005 and officially opened in 2015. The museum holds a collection of 1,782 artifacts from the Korom-Wondè empire and countless anthropological exhibits.
The Houre Bi (Mamio) statuette represents the ancestral spirit of the community, endowed with mysterious powers, particularly in matters of fertility. According to tradition, anyone wishing to have children but unable to conceive may, by lifting the statuette in accordance with ritual procedures, be granted offspring within a year.
Music is also an essential element of Kurumba culture. The Koromba kingdom of Loromi in Pobé-Mengao organizes both cyclical and occasional festivals tied to everyday rituals as well as funeral ceremonies. One such festival is Karpilag (or Pilag-Donda) – a New Year’s celebration. All Koromba gather in royal palaces alongside the community to participate. The week-long celebrations feature performances from various groups, including drummers (Julāa), tam-tam players (Jɛnɛ), calabash players (Nugre), and women's ensembles playing wind instruments called pompette (Kɛfɛ).
The history and culture of the Kurumba are integral to Burkina Faso’s heritage. Despite historical transformations and the arrival of other ethnic groups, the Kurumba continue to nurture their traditions. Through both everyday practices and institutions such as the Korom-Wondè Museum, they ensure the transmission of their identity to future generations. Their unique legacy, combining spirituality, art, and history, remains vibrant and inspiring.