XIIᵉ siècle – XVIᵉ siècle
Niger Bend and Volta basin
Traduction non disponible · Original (anglais) · français indisponible
The Mossi were a politically organized West African people whose territorial formations expanded from the Niger Bend into the Volta basin. Their history included conflicts with Songhay, the creation of local commands and royal dynasties, and the consolidation of territories across the White, Red and Black Volta regions. By about 1575, organized resistance by the northern Mossi had ended, while Mossi territorial frontiers subsequently remained broadly stable until colonial expansion.
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Le récit
During the first half of the thirteenth century, proto-Mossi groups associated with Dyamare II crossed the Niger in the region of Say and founded a third Dyamare. The early history of this formation was shaped by wars against Songhay of Gao, apparently linked to the consolidation of a new territorial organization. In the fourteenth century, Mossi expansion turned westward, culminating in an expedition against Timbuktu in 1337.
The fifteenth century brought renewed Mossi pressure toward the west and north-west, including a raid against Benka. The second half of the century initially saw important Mossi successes, followed by a vigorous Songhay counter-offensive led by Sunni 'Ali. Under the Songhay Muslim sovereigns from Askiya Muhammad to Askiya Dawud, the Mossi were placed on the defensive as holy war was proclaimed against them.
Mossi political development proceeded through numerous territorial commands and dynastic foundations rather than through a single uninterrupted state. The passage identifies Zambarga and Sanga as early Mossi commands, while later formations included Kinzem, Wargay, Laigay, Tenoagen, Gode, Tenkudugo, Zondoma, Ratenga, Zitenga and Wagadugu. A long period of political maturation preceded the conquest of the White Volta valley and the establishment of the major royal dynasties.
Naaba Rawa founded Rawatenga, described as the only Mossi political foundation to merit the name of an empire. For a short period it united much of present-day Mossi territory under one authority, but its unity did not survive because the polity was too extensive, established when local commands were still weakly integrated, and only partially accepted by indigenous populations. Zondoma was the principal coherent formation to emerge from Rawatenga during Rawa's lifetime.
In the sixteenth century, descendants of Naaba Wedraogo extended Mossi authority across the White Volta valley, crossed the Red Volta in the west, and reached Boromo in the Black Volta valley. After this advance, Mossi territory underwent regrouping and stabilization. Its frontiers remained unchanged until the colonial period, when agricultural colonization produced a new form of expansion.
XIIᵉ siècle – XVIᵉ siècle
Niger Bend and Volta basin
Traduction non disponible · Original (anglais) · français indisponible
The Mossi were a politically organized West African people whose territorial formations expanded from the Niger Bend into the Volta basin. Their history included conflicts with Songhay, the creation of local commands and royal dynasties, and the consolidation of territories across the White, Red and Black Volta regions. By about 1575, organized resistance by the northern Mossi had ended, while Mossi territorial frontiers subsequently remained broadly stable until colonial expansion.
Poursuivre l’exploration
Le récit
During the first half of the thirteenth century, proto-Mossi groups associated with Dyamare II crossed the Niger in the region of Say and founded a third Dyamare. The early history of this formation was shaped by wars against Songhay of Gao, apparently linked to the consolidation of a new territorial organization. In the fourteenth century, Mossi expansion turned westward, culminating in an expedition against Timbuktu in 1337.
The fifteenth century brought renewed Mossi pressure toward the west and north-west, including a raid against Benka. The second half of the century initially saw important Mossi successes, followed by a vigorous Songhay counter-offensive led by Sunni 'Ali. Under the Songhay Muslim sovereigns from Askiya Muhammad to Askiya Dawud, the Mossi were placed on the defensive as holy war was proclaimed against them.
Mossi political development proceeded through numerous territorial commands and dynastic foundations rather than through a single uninterrupted state. The passage identifies Zambarga and Sanga as early Mossi commands, while later formations included Kinzem, Wargay, Laigay, Tenoagen, Gode, Tenkudugo, Zondoma, Ratenga, Zitenga and Wagadugu. A long period of political maturation preceded the conquest of the White Volta valley and the establishment of the major royal dynasties.
Naaba Rawa founded Rawatenga, described as the only Mossi political foundation to merit the name of an empire. For a short period it united much of present-day Mossi territory under one authority, but its unity did not survive because the polity was too extensive, established when local commands were still weakly integrated, and only partially accepted by indigenous populations. Zondoma was the principal coherent formation to emerge from Rawatenga during Rawa's lifetime.
In the sixteenth century, descendants of Naaba Wedraogo extended Mossi authority across the White Volta valley, crossed the Red Volta in the west, and reached Boromo in the Black Volta valley. After this advance, Mossi territory underwent regrouping and stabilization. Its frontiers remained unchanged until the colonial period, when agricultural colonization produced a new form of expansion.