OUAGADOUGOU, BURKINA FASO – At a small workshop in Ouagadougou, local artisans are making educational toys which are meant to inspire African children to embrace their cultural identity through play.
A Burkinabe social enterprise founded in 2018, Biibop now sells a range of over 200 wooden toys, games, and dolls, up from just 20 items in its initial product portfolio. Not only does this initiative employ regional resources and local artisans, but it is also helping African kids with customised learning aids.
“We wanted to manufacture educational toys out of local materials, thus allowing local craftsmen to develop these products to fit the context of Burkina Faso,” Rosine Kiema, Biibop co-founder, said.
Psychologists have observed that culturally recognised items used in play promote development in early childhood. “The more the child interacts with the games designed in the local environment, the more he develops himself,” psychologist Boukary Pamtaba once noted. “Step by step, we are developing the activities, and simultaneously, we are customising the games.”
Even with the continued popularity of imported toys in the region, Biibop continues to make inroads into other parts of Africa as an example of how play can help protect and promote culture.
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