Ganzourgou: The cultural association "Toum Nooma" has launched a dyeing and weaving training program in Zorgho for young mothers and vulnerable women. The activity aims to transmit local know-how related to Faso Danfani and Koko Dunda fabrics. A visit to the training site on February 26, 2026, allowed participants to observe the women at work.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the Toum Nooma association, located in sector 2 of Zorgho in the Tengsobdogo district, is currently training about fifteen women and young mothers in the techniques of weaving and dyeing traditional loincloths. The initiative, supported by the ministry in charge of culture, aims to contribute to the promotion of Burkina Faso's textile heritage while offering income-generating opportunities to beneficiaries, some of whom are internally displaced persons (IDPs).
The training focuses on primary color combinations, yarn dyeing, pattern creation, loom operation, yarn spreading, spinning on a loom and reed, and assisted weaving. Trainees are also introduced to fabric dyeing using the Koko Dunda technique. According to the association's president, Ms. Augustine Kabore, this activity is a continuation of the social actions carried out by the organization for several years.
Ms. Kabore shared her personal connection to weaving, recounting her early introduction to the craft after leaving school. She emphasized the impact of weaving on her life, enabling her to support her family after the passing of her husband. This training marks the first time the association has received external support for such an initiative.
The program's success has attracted more interest than initially anticipated, with more women eager to participate than the planned capacity of 15 trainees. However, the association faces challenges, including a shortage of looms and resources for restoration and acquiring raw materials. Ms. Kabore expressed the need for additional support to provide necessary materials for the learners.
For the participants, this training offers a path to self-reliance. Trainee Ms. Marie Sawadogo expressed her satisfaction with the training, noting its potential to provide a sustainable livelihood. Another participant, Ms. Tene Natacha Kabore, highlighted her motivation to learn weaving and dyeing due to a lack of employment opportunities.
During a visit to the training workshop, the provincial director of culture, arts, and tourism for Ganzourgou, Ms. Sie Boro, praised the initiative and encouraged the trainees to fully engage with the training modules.
Founded in 1984 as Namaneg-b-zanga, the association adopted the name Toum Nooma in 2024 to reflect the diversification of its activities. It has since assisted approximately 700 people, including widows, orphans, and vulnerable women in Ganzourgou province.
In Zorgho, during this month of March dedicated to women, the cotton threads and dye baths tell a simple story: learning a trade, passing on knowledge, and trying to earn a living through work.