Mossi

The Mossi are an ethnic group of people who live mostly in Burkina Faso in Africa, and also in Ivory Coast and Ghana. They make up 40% of all the people in Burkina Faso.^[1] They speak a language called Mòoré or More.

Mossi

Mossi dancers
Total population
6.2 million in Burkina Faso (40%) 1.2 million Ivory Coast 160,140 in Ghana
Regions with significant populations
Mostly Burkina Faso, also in northern Ivory Coast and northern Ghana.
Languages
Moore
Religion
Traditional, Christianity, Islam
Related ethnic groups
Dagomba Gurunsi, Frafra, Talensi, Bwa, Nankani. Lobi, Dagaaba, other Gur peoples

History

The Mossi believe that they came from the marriage of a Dagomba princess called Yennenga (or Nyennega) and a Mandé hunter called Rialé. Yennenga was a warrior princess, daughter of a Dagomba king in Ghana. One day she lost her way and was rescued by Rialé. They got married and had a son called Ouedraogo.^[2] Ouedraogo is known as the father of the Mossi people.