Religion in Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso has 3 major religions. They are Islam, Christianity and Traditional African Beliefs.
Islam in Burkina Faso
Islam is the main religion in Burkina Faso. Muslims take over about 40% of the population. The majority of Muslims follow a kind of ethnicity called Malkite Sunni. Muslims came to Burkina Faso as dealers in the 15th century(when Burkina Faso was called Upper Volta). They found an opportunity to trade gold, nuts and salt and started to make life in Burkina Faso. They married women and started making families and the population began to increase and Islam became Burkina Faso's major religion. 60.5% of Burkina Faso's population are followers of Islam. The Fula and Dioula ethnic groups are the majority of ethnic groups that follow Islam. Now Muslims in Burkina Faso have festivals of their own.
Christianity
Christianity is the second major religion in Burkina Faso. Christians make up about 30% of the population. Most of the Christians are Roman Catholic, which is a wing of Christianity. This is because Roman Catholic missionaries or preachers were sent to Burkina Faso with the French colonists(who later ruled Burkina Faso) in 1986 when France used to rule Burkina Faso. This is how Christianity came in Burkina Faso. Christianity spread when the Roman Catholics came to Burkina Faso. 11% of the Mossi tribe are Christians.
Traditional African Beliefs
Traditional African Beliefs is the third most largest religion in Burkina Faso. It makes up about 15.3% of Burkina Faso's population. People in Burkina Faso practice Traditional African Beliefs. People of this religion believe in spirits and magic. This religion is practiced across Africa.
Other religions
Other religions in Burkina Faso make up about 14% of the population. The people who don't practice the religions above are atheists or practice other religions.