XIᵉ siècle – XVIIIᵉ siècle
Central Volta Plateau and White Volta basin
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The Mossi kingdoms were composite political formations established through conquest, settlement, and intermarriage in the White Volta basin. Their dynasties were linked in tradition to Mamprusi, Nanumba, and Dagomba, while major kingdoms such as Ouagadougou and Yatenga developed distinct political structures from the fifteenth century onward. Mossi society combined royal lineages, war chiefs, royal servants, land priests, craftsmen, and traders within a ritual system centered on the king.
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Le récit
The formation of Mossi kingdoms was the central political development of the Central Volta Plateau during the period under discussion. The earliest Mossi kingdom is dated in the passage to the twelfth century. Traditions connect Na Gbewa and Na Nedega with the dynasties of Mamprusi, Nanumba, and Dagomba, while the lines of Naaba Wedraogo, Naaba Wubri, and Naaba Yadega are associated with the later organization of Mossi political structures.
The Mossi kingdoms were not states inhabited by a homogeneous ethnic society. They were composite formations that resulted from the expansion of warriors called Mossi across the White Volta basin, together with intermarriage and gradual settlement by Mossi peasants. Each incorporated territory was reorganized according to a Mossi political model, producing societies in which local populations and newcomers retained distinct social and ritual positions.
Mossi political authority rested on a hierarchy of chiefs, princes, war chiefs, and royal household officials. The naaba ruled as chief, while naabiise and nakombse represented different categories within the royal lineage. War chiefs and royal servants helped the king govern, while nakombse were simultaneously members of the dynastic order and influential electors in the transmission of royal power.
The political world was integrated with the world of the land through annual ceremonies. The king received homage from royal servants, war chiefs, and princes during napusum, while the bega ceremonial cycle involved sacrifices intended to secure a good harvest. Earth priests and fertility priests represented sacred authority associated with the land, complementing the king’s political role and helping maintain social order.
XIᵉ siècle – XVIIIᵉ siècle
Central Volta Plateau and White Volta basin
Traduction non disponible · Original (anglais) · français indisponible
The Mossi kingdoms were composite political formations established through conquest, settlement, and intermarriage in the White Volta basin. Their dynasties were linked in tradition to Mamprusi, Nanumba, and Dagomba, while major kingdoms such as Ouagadougou and Yatenga developed distinct political structures from the fifteenth century onward. Mossi society combined royal lineages, war chiefs, royal servants, land priests, craftsmen, and traders within a ritual system centered on the king.
Poursuivre l’exploration
Le récit
The formation of Mossi kingdoms was the central political development of the Central Volta Plateau during the period under discussion. The earliest Mossi kingdom is dated in the passage to the twelfth century. Traditions connect Na Gbewa and Na Nedega with the dynasties of Mamprusi, Nanumba, and Dagomba, while the lines of Naaba Wedraogo, Naaba Wubri, and Naaba Yadega are associated with the later organization of Mossi political structures.
The Mossi kingdoms were not states inhabited by a homogeneous ethnic society. They were composite formations that resulted from the expansion of warriors called Mossi across the White Volta basin, together with intermarriage and gradual settlement by Mossi peasants. Each incorporated territory was reorganized according to a Mossi political model, producing societies in which local populations and newcomers retained distinct social and ritual positions.
Mossi political authority rested on a hierarchy of chiefs, princes, war chiefs, and royal household officials. The naaba ruled as chief, while naabiise and nakombse represented different categories within the royal lineage. War chiefs and royal servants helped the king govern, while nakombse were simultaneously members of the dynastic order and influential electors in the transmission of royal power.
The political world was integrated with the world of the land through annual ceremonies. The king received homage from royal servants, war chiefs, and princes during napusum, while the bega ceremonial cycle involved sacrifices intended to secure a good harvest. Earth priests and fertility priests represented sacred authority associated with the land, complementing the king’s political role and helping maintain social order.