ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on Burkina Faso, a country that has avoided religious violence and maintained social harmony despite its desperate poverty, lack of stable democratic leadership, diverse religious population and close geographic proximity to countries with various levels of religious-based violence. Though Burkina Faso is characterised as a poor or developing country, its people have maintained a social harmony marked by religious tolerance. This chapter explores why Burkina Faso remains comparatively peaceful and tolerant for its region, with a notable absence of religious-based violence and discrimination. Political, social and economic factors come together to contribute to its peaceful state. These various factors are closely examined in turn. Ultimately, the chapter maintains that communal-based living structures, the lack of ethno-religious alliances and the geographic dispersion of ethnic and religious groups combine to create the present state of peace in the Land of Upright People.
