Gao-Guenie is a famous witnessed H5 Ordinary Chondrite fall from Burkina Faso, which occurred on 5 March 1960. The fall was reported after detonations and a meteorite shower near the villages of Gao and Guenie, with many stones recovered across the strewn field. For many years, material was known separately under names such as Gao and Guenie, but these were later recognised as belonging to the same fall and are now grouped under the official name Gao-Guenie.

Gao-Guenie specimens typically show the compact texture of an H5 Ordinary Chondrite, with a grey to brown interior, metal grains, subdued chondrules, and dark fusion crust on fresher pieces. As an H Chondrite, it contains relatively high iron compared with L and LL Chondrites, while the type 5 classification indicates significant thermal metamorphism on its parent asteroid. Its availability in both whole stones and prepared fragments has made it one of the more recognisable African witnessed falls.

Studying Gao-Guenie provides insight into Ordinary Chondrite parent bodies, atmospheric fragmentation, and large witnessed meteorite showers. Its 1960 fall date, Burkina Faso provenance, substantial recovered material, and classic H5 classification make it especially appealing for collections focused on witnessed falls, African meteorites, or representative Ordinary Chondrites. Each specimen represents ancient asteroid material connected to one of West Africa’s best-known meteorite falls.