In the inaugural installment of our exclusive series featuring authors in their homelands, we journey to Ouagadougou for an intimate conversation with Roukiata Ouedraogo. This acclaimed humorist, actress, and writer, a proud native of Burkina Faso, shares profound insights into her formative years, the genesis of her career, and the challenges she has overcome.
Roukiata Ouedraogo, a Franco-Burkinabè author, humorist, and actress, describes her journey. Born in Burkina Faso, she spent her childhood between Fada N’Gourma and Ouagadougou before relocating to France in the early 2000s. Her artistic path uniquely blends theatre, writing, comedy, radio, and social advocacy.
Featured Literary Works:
In her work, Roukiata vividly portrays her preparations to return to Burkina Faso from her small Parisian apartment. The narrative explores the dilemmas of packing for loved ones, balancing gifts from ‘Paname Tati’ with practical items like a toaster for her mother. She recounts her vibrant youth as a spirited ‘gazeuse’ in Ouagadougou’s suburbs, contrasting it with her contemporary life in Paris’s ‘Little Africa.’ The text brims with humorous observations of local characters: chicken vendors, neighborhood gossips, and the hairdressers of Château-Rouge. Readers will be entertained by tales of youthful courtship and clever tactics used to outwit her strict father, affectionately dubbed ‘Chien Méchant,’ to attend school dances. Illustrated with the dynamic and lively drawings of Aude Massot, this book serves as a heartfelt tribute to childhood, family bonds, friendships, and embracing individuality. It promises laughter, alongside deeper reflections.
With a tender and nostalgic prose, Roukiata recounts her childhood experiences in Burkina Faso. She paints a picture of a land marked by intense droughts and torrential rains, yet filled with the warmth of its people, alongside the harsh realities of corruption and poverty. The narrative delves into her family’s struggles, including the injustice of her father’s arrest. Central to her story is her mother – a tall, beautiful woman, a true ‘roc’ who single-handedly raised seven children. Battling tirelessly to make ends meet, she sold her delectable honey pancakes right from their doorstep. For the young Roukiata, these honeyed treats forever embody the essence of her childhood and her beloved homeland.
