FESTIMA

Festival International des Masques et des Arts

View on map
Carnival & ParadeDedougou
DatesDates TBACheck locally before booking
DurationAnnualEstimate from available data
CrowdLargeAbout 100,000 people
Best forMasks, paradesFESTIMA's international scope sets it apart
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: XOF
CategoryCarnival & ParadeFestival type
The story

FESTIMA in Dedougou

FESTIMA is Dedougou's biennial international mask festival, founded in 1996 by the ASAMA association, drawing troupes from up to six West African countries for a week of mask performances, seminars, and a marketplace, distinct from the town's separate, smaller Bwaba leaf-mask rite. ASAMA's founding mission to protect mask traditions from modernization still shapes its programming, with seminars and storytelling built in specifically to transmit cultural context to younger and international audiences.

ASAMA, the Association for the Safeguarding of Masks, founded FESTIMA in Dedougou in 1996 after a group of Burkinabe students noticed traditional mask practices losing ground to modernization.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

FESTIMA's international scope sets it apart: editions have drawn masks from more than 50 communities across six countries, with organizer estimates near 100,000 attendees including over 2,000 international visitors, a scale that makes it one of West Africa's largest dedicated mask events rather than a local ceremony

02

The mystery stays covered

Guest countries bring distinct regional mask styles and materials, from carved wood and woven fiber to leaf-based costumes closer to Dedougou's own Bwaba tradition, letting visitors compare West African mask-making approaches in one place rather than traveling separately to each country of origin

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

Mask troupes perform according to the traditions of their communities

Water and renewal

Living ritual

while demonstrations

The sacred route

Living ritual

exhibitions and discussions explain the cultural meaning of masks beyond the stage spectacle

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA

Getting around

Use Dedougou transport around the venue or route first; event-day controls can change normal timing.

What to wear

Comfortable clothes for standing in crowds at outdoor performance grounds, sun protection given daytime heat, and closed shoes for uneven ground at the main venue.

Safety

FESTIMA is easier when valuables are secure and the group knows where to meet if separated.

Where to stay

Stay near workable transport in Dedougou, especially if the event runs late or streets close.

Tickets/cost

Many carnival moments are public, but confirm paid areas or stands before travel.

Language/currency

XOF

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map12.46 N, 3.46 WOpen in Google Maps

Dedougou, Boucle du Mouhoun, Burkina Faso

Nearest airportBOY — Bobo Dioulasso
TransportUse Dedougou transport around the venue or route first; event-day controls can change normal timing.
Stay areaStay near workable transport in Dedougou, especially if the event runs late or streets close.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Dedougou via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Dedougou, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for festival season.Compare faresFestival gearComfortable clothes for standing in crowds at outdoor performance grounds, sun protection given daytime heat, and closed shoes for uneven ground at the main venue.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for Burkina Faso and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

We may earn a small commission from trusted travel partners at no extra cost to you.

FAQ

Quick answers.

When is FESTIMA?

FESTIMA is listed for Dates to be announced. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does FESTIMA take place?

The festival is listed in Dedougou, Burkina Faso. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

Annual is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Date announcement pending. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Dedougou, Boucle du Mouhoun, Burkina Faso

How big is it?

Large: 100000

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLAwaiting confirmation
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
Listed datesDates TBA
Source statusDate announcement pending
Related festivals

Continue the route.

Photo pending

Fiesta San Antonio

Past edition: 4 May 2026

San Antonio, United States
Photo pending

Ojude Oba Festival

Past edition: 29 May 2026

Ijebu-Ode, Nigeria
Photo pending

Panama Carnival

Past edition: 14–17 February 2026

Nationwide, Panama
Photo pending

Sao Paulo Pride Parade

Past edition: 7 June 2026

São Paulo, Brazil

Spotted something out of date? Submit a correction →