Mossi Kingdoms

Quick Facts: Who was Mossi Kingdoms?

Subject:

Mossi Kingdoms

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Historical kingdoms dominating modern Burkina Faso, centered around the Mogho Naaba of Ouagadougou.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

The Mossi Kingdoms were a group of kingdoms in modern-day Burkina Faso that dominated the region of the upper Volta river for hundreds of years. The largest Mossi kingdom was that of Ouagadougou. The king of Ouagadougou, known as the Mogho Naaba, or King of All the World, served as the Emperor of all the Mossi. The first kingdom was founded when warriors from the ancient Great Naa Gbewaa kingdom in present-day Ghana region and Mandé warriors moved into the area and intermarried with local people. The different kingdom's consolidation of political and military power began in the 13th century, leading to conflicts between the Mossi kingdoms and other nearby powerful states.

Career & Major Achievements

In 1896, the French took over the kingdoms and created the French Upper Volta colony, which for many decades largely governed using the Mossi administrative structure. Some Mossi Kingdoms still exist today as constituent monarchies within Burkina Faso. Most notably, Naba Baongo II currently reigns as Mogho Naba of Wogodogo (Ouagadougou). The kingdoms of Boussouma, Fada N'gourma, Tenkodogo, and Yatenga currently co-exist in a similar fashion, each with their own monarchs. While they no longer hold sovereignty, they still retain some cultural and political influence.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Accounts of the origin of the Mossi kingdoms and parts of their history are imprecise, with contradictory oral traditions disagreeing on certain aspects of the story. The origin story is unique in that a woman plays a key role as the progenitor of the royal line. The origins of the Mossi state are claimed by one prominent oral tradition to come from when a Moré-Dagbamba princess, Yennenga, left home because of a dispute with her father, Naa Gbewaa, the founder of the Kingdom of the now Tri-kingdoms of Mamprugu, Dagban, and Namumba. The Dagbamba ethnic group comprises Mamprusi, dagomba, Nanumba, and Mossi People. These four sub-groups sprung out of the three sons and daughter of the Great King, Naa Gbewaa.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1896: 1896 Milestone — In 1896, the French took over the kingdoms and created the French Upper Volta colony, which for many decades largely governed using the Mossi administrative structure.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Mossi Kingdoms

True or False: “The Mossi people's claim to descent from Yennenga is based on a direct, undisputed lineage documented by modern historians.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While the oral tradition centers on Yennenga, many historians believe that the 'Mossi' responsible for certain historical attacks were actually a different group than those claiming this specific descent.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Mossi Kingdoms