Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso consistently produces silk linings from sows' ears; they come from one of the poorest countries in the world, but they are renowned for their don't-worry-be-happy optimism and have managed to fashion a beautiful and culturally sophisticated country out of the little that they do have.

The Burkinabés are descended from a long line of regal emperors who have suffered the plebeian indignities of colonialism and blackbirding, but this has only served to strengthen and preserve their cultural identity. Today, they are known for their music, dance, theatre and film.