Hunting in Centre-North: Dry flatlands, Sahelian game, Mossi-Fulani tracking culture, survival-driven hunting, and weak institutional control

A harsh frontier between savannah and desert The Centre-Nord Region sits at the transitional edge where Burkina Faso's central plains give way to the more arid landscapes of the Sahel. Characterized by wide, flat terrain, thorny bushes, sparse trees, and dry riverbeds, it is a land shaped by long dry seasons and short, intense rains. Historically, this region was home to roaming herds of antelope and abundant birdlife, but today its ecology is fragile, worn by drought, overgrazing, and growing demographic pressure. Despite these challenges, hunting remains deeply rooted in the rural rhythm of life, offering not only sustenance but also a cultural bridge between past and present. The Mossi and Fulani hunters: pragmatism and pastoral wisdom In Centre-Nord, hunting traditions are practiced primarily by Mossi farmers and Fulani pastoralists. For the Mossi, hunting is tied to the agricultural calendar, with dry-season expeditions taking place after the harvest. Fulani herders, meanwhile, often hunt opportunistically while moving cattle, relying on their keen awareness of terrain and animal behavior. Hunting is typically a solitary or small-group activity, less ceremonial than in the south but no less grounded in unwritten rules. Elders teach how to follow footprints in dust, interpret bird calls, or detect the scent of warthogs on the wind. What makes Centre-Nord’s hunting distinct Centre-Nord offers a sobering example of survival-driven hunting in an ecologically stressed region. Unlike the forested south or biodiverse east, this region lacks large game or protected reserves. Instead, hunting is focused on resilience: making the most of limited fauna, respecting seasonal scarcity, and adapting to rapid environmental change. The region’s flat openness makes tracking possible over long distances, and local hunters are often masters of terrain reading, relying on subtle signs rather than abundance. Scarcity has also encouraged ingenuity — the crafting of traps from scrap metal, or the reuse of old bicycle spokes as snare wire. Species hunted and techniques shaped by aridity Commonly hunted species include guinea fowl, doves, hares, monitor lizards, ground squirrels, and the occasional oribi or duiker in the more wooded corridors near Kaya or Barsalogho. Larger species like warthogs are increasingly rare, though they still persist around seasonal watering holes. Hunting methods focus on pit traps, trip-wire snares, and single-shot rifles often passed down or locally modified. Bushfires — often unintended — are sometimes followed by hunters who anticipate game flushed by flame. Dogs are used in scrub areas, where visibility is low but scent trails linger in the dust. Legal regulation in a context of informality and displacement While Centre-Nord is officially subject to Burkina Faso’s hunting laws — including seasonal restrictions and protected species lists — enforcement is minimal. The region has also been impacted by growing insecurity and internal displacement, which places additional stress on natural resources. In many cases, hunting occurs out of necessity rather than choice, with bushmeat serving as both food and trade commodity in areas where market systems have been disrupted. Traditional village leadership still plays a role in managing access, but instability has weakened many of these structures. Environmental pressure and loss of biodiversity Desertification, deforestation for firewood, and population growth have led to the dramatic decline of native fauna in Centre-Nord. Migration routes for game have been blocked by farms, fences, and roads. Water points have dried earlier in the year, and bird nesting areas have been lost to fire and erosion. Yet, even amid decline, there are efforts to adapt: some communities now mark off “no-hunting” zones around sacred groves or plant acacia near wells to restore bush corridors. Local wisdom still informs practices — such as rotating hunting zones annually to prevent depletion. The bush as school, mirror, and memory For many in Centre-Nord, the bush is where one learns not just to hunt, but to wait, to observe, and to understand one’s place in a wider web of life. Certain days are avoided for hunting based on lunar cycles or ancestral instruction. A hare that crosses your path at sunrise may be a sign to return home. In some families, boys receive their first sling as a rite of passage — not to kill, but to learn stillness. These teachings persist, even when the animals grow scarce. Whispers of a vanishing tradition Near Boulsa, elders recall flocks of guinea fowl so thick they darkened the sky. Today, such sightings are rare. Still, in the early hours of the morning, lone figures can be seen walking quietly with slings, rusted traps, or homemade rifles — tracing footpaths that cross generations, echoing a way of life that refuses to vanish entirely.