Mossi Kingdoms

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The cavalry of the Mossi states were experts at raiding deep into enemy territory, even against the formiddable Mali Empire.
The cavalry of the Mossi states were experts at raiding deep into enemy territory, even against the formiddable Mali Empire.

The Mossi Kingdoms, sometimes mistakenly referred to as the Mossi Empire were a trio of powerful states in modern-day Burkina Faso. Each state possessed similar customs and government, but were ruled independently of each other. At times, the kingdoms fought amongst themselves or united in the face of Muslim aggression from the north in Mali.

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[edit] Origins

The Mossi immigrated into Burkina Faso from northern Ghana around the turn of the 11th century. They displaced the original inhabitants known as the Yonyonse, and began forming complex states with strong militaries focused on the use of cavalry. The Mossi successfully defended their new home from Mandinka and Songhai Muslims and even captured territory in Mali at times. They followed and still follow traditional African faiths.

[edit] Tengkodogo

The first Mossi kingdom was Tengkodogo also known as Tenkodogo. It was formed in 1120 in present-day Tenkodogo of Burkina Faso. The ruler of the kingdom was called the Naaba and his capital was also called Tengkodogo (from which the kingdom gets its name).

[edit] Yatenga

The second Mossi kingdom was Yatenga. It was formed in 1333 during the height of the aggressive Mali Empire to the north. It's ruler was called Yatenga Naaba or Rima and ruled from the capital city of Waiguya (modern-day Ouahigouya in Burkina Faso).

[edit] Wagadougou

The third and last of the great Mossi kingdoms was Wagadougou. Wagadougou became the premier Mossi state in Burkina Faso forming in 1441. Its leader, the Moogo Naaba ruled from present-day Ouagadougou (named for the kingdom).

[edit] Downfall

The Mossi kingdoms all survived until the late 19th century with the coming of the French. The Tengkodogo kingdom, first of the Mossi states, was ironically the first to be conquered by the French in 1894. The Yatenga kingdom, not desiring the same fate as Tengkodogo, signed a protectorate agreement with the French in May of 1895. Wagadougou was conquered and placed under protectorate status in September of the same year.

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