Gaoua

Gaoua is a market town in southern Burkina Faso known for its superstitious values and customs. Population 26,023 (2008 est.) Located in the red earth, green hills, and fast flowing streams of southwestern Burkina Faso, Gaoua is the capital of Poni Province and forms a sort of capital for the sacred rites and bush lore of the Lobi peoples. According to local myth, Gaoua was founded when the Lobi migrated across from northern Ghana where they found the Gan people peoples occupying the territory. As a result they named the trek across to Gaoua Gan-houo meaning "route of the Gan people".