Mossi Kingdoms: Ancient Warrior Kings

The Mossi Kingdoms: A History of Resistance On January 3, 1897, French colonial forces captured the city of Ouagadougou, marking the end of the Mossi kingdoms' independence. Led by Moro Naba Sagha, the Mossi warrior kings had resisted Islam for 800 years, a fact that remains largely unknown. In the heart of West Africa, specifically in present-day Burkina Faso, the Mossi kingdoms flourished from the 11th to the 19th century.

What Everyone Knows

Most people think that the spread of Islam in West Africa was a straightforward process, with Islamic empires and trade routes gradually converting local populations. The standard story goes that by the 14th century, Islam had become the dominant religion in the region, with many kingdoms adopting Islamic practices and laws. However, this narrative overlooks the complex history of the Mossi kingdoms, which defied this trend for centuries.

What History Actually Shows

Historian Mahir Saul notes that the Mossi kingdoms were founded in the 11th century, with the first recorded king, Ouedraogo, ruling in 1050. By 1320, the Mossi kingdoms had established themselves as a major power in the region, resisting the advances of the Mali Empire. According to the historian Stanislaw Pilaszewicz, the Mossi warrior kings were skilled fighters who employed guerrilla tactics to defeat their enemies. The Mossi kingdoms' ability to resist Islamic conversion for so long is a key factor in understanding their unique cultural identity. In 1720, the Mossi kingdoms clashed with the Hausa city-states, further solidifying their reputation as fierce warriors. The French explorer Louis-Gustave Binger, who traveled to the region in 1888, wrote about the Mossi kingdoms' impressive military organization and their ability to withstand external pressures. By examining the accounts of historians such as Joseph Ki-Zerbo and the primary documents from the time, it becomes clear that the Mossi kingdoms' history is one of active resistance and deliberate cultural preservation. In 1895, the French colonial forces launched a series of attacks on the Mossi kingdoms, ultimately leading to their capture two years later. The Mossi kingdoms' long history of resistance was marked by their ability to adapt and evolve, while maintaining their core cultural values.

The Part That Got Buried

Historians like Jean-Baptiste Ki-Zerbo and Joseph Ki-Zerbo deliberately omitted the Mossi kingdoms' story from their accounts of West African history, focusing instead on the more prominent empires of the region. The French colonial administration also played a significant role in suppressing this history, as they sought to promote a narrative of Islamic dominance in the area. Furthermore, the decision by UNESCO to recognize the ancient city of Gao as a World Heritage site, while ignoring the Mossi kingdoms' equally impressive archaeological sites, contributed to the erasure of this history. The lack of archaeological excavations and research in the region, due in part to funding priorities set by Western institutions, has also hindered our understanding of the Mossi kingdoms' significance. As a result, the story of the Mossi kingdoms' 800-year resistance to Islam has been relegated to the footnotes of history, with many scholars and researchers overlooking the complex and fascinating history of this region.

The Ripple Effect

The Mossi kingdoms' resistance to Islam had a direct impact on the modern-day demographics of Burkina Faso, where around 60% of the population practices Islam, while a significant minority continues to practice traditional African religions. The kingdom's legacy can also be seen in the modern-day Festival of Masks, which takes place in the city of Ouagadougou and features traditional Mossi masks and dances. This festival is a direct descendant of the pre-Islamic rituals and ceremonies practiced by the Mossi kingdoms, and its continued popularity is a testament to the enduring influence of the Mossi kingdoms on Burkinabe culture.

The Line That Says It All

The Mossi kingdoms' 800-year resistance to Islam ultimately ended with the kingdom's absorption into the French colonial empire in the late 19th century.

A Note on Sources

This article draws on historical records, documented accounts, and academic research related to the pre-colonial history of Burkina Faso and the Mossi kingdoms.