Yatenga

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Yatenga is a modern province in the Nord Region of Burkina Faso. In modern Yatenga, the most prominent city is Ouahigouya (also known as Waiguya). This city served as the capital of the old Mossi kingdom, but its influence has decreased in the century or two since colonization. The city is famed today for being home to the Naba's (traditional king) compound and the tomb of Naba Kango.

The Yatenga region is renowned for its unique style of Mossi masks. They are tall, vertically-oriented, and concave-faced. They are considered to be some of the best examples of Mossi art available today.

Departments of Yatenga

Yatenga is divided into 11 departments:

Kain
Kalsaka
Koumbri
Namissiguima
Ouahigouya
Oula
Rambo
Seguenega
Tangaye
Thiou
Zogore

[edit] Kingdom of Yatenga

Yatenge was historically a powerful kingdom in the region. It was founded as a Mossi state along with Ouagadougou, Tengkodogo, and Gourma by invaders from neighboring Ghana. Each of the Mossi states (including Yatenga) possessed a strong military that was able to repel attacks from hostile tribes and nations.

When the European powers began their scramble for territory in Africa in the 19th century, France brokered a deal making Yatenga a French protectorate. Following the annexation of the other Mossi states, the area was governed as Upper Volta until the nation's independence on August 5th, 1960.