A Gur-speaking people of Burkina Faso. They are sedentary farmers, comprising several chiefdoms united under a powerful paramount chief, the Morho Naba of Ouagadougou, who rules a feudally organized kingdom.
Mossi (sing. The Mossi are the largest ethnic group in Burkina Faso, constituting 40% of the population, or about 6.2 million people.. The Mossi speak the More language
History
Legendary origins
According to tradition, the Mossi derive from the marriage of a Dagomba princess and Mandé hunter. They got married and gave birth to the first authentic Mossi: Ouedraogo who is recognised as the father of Mossi people. Despite its status as a legend, it contains factual information: the Mossi originate from the Ashanti group, a Ghanaian entity composed of many subgroups. The Mossi also are also directly descended from the Dagomba people and similarly live in Upper East Ghana with a capital of Tamale.
Mossi Empire
As the Mossi people's history has been kept by oral tradition, it is impossible to assign precise dates for the period before colonization. The Mossi were able to conquer a vast amounts of territory thanks to their mastering of the horse, and created a prosperous empire and kept peace in the region until the beginning of colonialism. The expansion of the Mossi empire was stopped in the 19th century with the iniation of intensive colonisation by the French.
Colonial era
Colonialism was devastating for most African people, as it resulted in imposed frontiers that affected the interrelationships between tribes, leading to political and social unrest throughout Africa when it ceased; the Mossi are no exception. This domination affected the Mossi society and weakened the power of the Mossi emperor the Mogho Naaba. Despite colonization, the Mogho Naaba was still given some authority over the Mossi during the French colonial period. Two great events have affected the status of the Mogho Naaba during colonization: firstly, during the initial vague of occidental invasion, he retired to the Dagomba kingdom with which the Mossi have always kept brotherhood relations. Though it has not been generally recognized, the Mossi played a key role in France's military during World War II. Despite these historical shocks to Mossi society, they managed to keep their strong identity and their social structure.
Organization of Mossi society
The Mossi people have organised their society in an original hierarchic process in which family and state are the key elements.
The Mogho Naaba and the Nakomse
The highest position in Mossi society is that of the Emperor, who is given executive power.
Second to the Emperor come the nobles, or Nakomse. The Nyon-nyonse are the peoples who lived in Mossi-controlled regions before the Mossi.
The natives or Nyon-nyonse
The Nyon-nyonse are the indigenous people of the Volta region before the rise of the Mossi Empire and are charged with overseeing religious and spiritual affairs.
The craftsmen and ordinary citizens
They constitute the larger part of the population and are all subjects of the emperor. Mossi people often identify to groups; hence, at all levels, there is a hierarchy in Mossi society. In every day life, the family hierarchy is most important, and family is often directly associated with the notion of hierarchy for the Mossi.
Language and cultural values
Group identity and values within the Mossi and contrasted against other ethnic groups are tied first and foremost to language.
More language
The Maussi speak the More language, a sub-group of the MoreDagbani group of languages.
Cultural values
According to the explanations of Mrs. Tapsoba Marie, the former Cultural Counsellor at Burkina Embassy in Senegal and also Mossi herself, Mossi culture can be divided into four main values characteristic of the ethnic group.
Attitude towards ancestors
Ancestors are believed to have reached a better world from which they can influence life on earth. Because of these believes, Mossi swear by their ancestors or by the land;
Land
Land is related to the ancestors, being a path by which one can access the ancestors. Even today, this notion gives a unique value of to land in Mossi thought. A Mossi's life depends on his land, and it is essential for the family settlement.
Family
Family is also an essential cultural element of the Mossi, who hold collectivism in high regard. Individualism does not exist in traditional Mossi culture: one’s actions and behaviours are always taken to be characteristics of one's family. thus, the family is the smallest entity in the Mossi society.
Hierarchy
Hierarchy is a fundamental concept for the Mossi and pervasive in their culture. The family is organised like the kingdom with its king — the husband and father, his advisor — the wife, and the people — the children. Aunts and uncles also play a role by helping in the education and raising of Mossi children.
Traditional and Cultural holidays and events
Ceremonies and celebrations pace the life of Mossi people, with each celebration having its particulars.
Mogho Naaba court
The Friday Mogho Naaba court ceremony derives from the oppression experience from the appearance of the first colonial invaders. The first threat led the king of the Mossi to travel to the Dagomba kingdom for help fighting the colonizers.
Culture and originality
Masks
Masks occupy an important position in Mossi culture and are often considered holy. Today, however, the Mossi masks and culture can be seen through such festivals as SIAO (Fr.
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