Mossi

The Mossi are African people whose numbers total around two and a half million residing in Burkina Faso. After 1000 A.D., the Mossi were organized into many kingdoms and one still exists today.

The Mossi have continued their ancient but traditional religion which is based on ancestor worship and the family. Almost everything that takes place within the Mossi culture is based around the family. Within the Mossi culture, family is patriarchal, meaning father based or typically the oldest man in the family known as the "Vieu." Everyday common decisions are made by each individual father, but the Vieu makes the important ones. If serious problems arise, a group of men may gather to discuss the issues until they reach a reasonable decision. If anyone is offended by another person, forgiveness comes after a long discussion with the elder and whoever was offended.

The role of the husband is to secure the fields and maintain order within his family. Wives will do most of the fieldwork along with some of the older children, with the younger children looking after the toddlers. The wives will also have to work in their own fields after working in her husband's in order to provide food for herself and her children. The adult sons of the elder and their families will often live together in the same courtyards. In ancient times this was quite common but today sons may move to the city or the Ivory Coast in order to make money. However, they have been known to return home for extended visits or if they have become ill. It is not uncommon for someone to return home to die. If one of the family members is found to be in need, it is expected the other family members to come to their assistance.

Families are of extreme importance and are of highest value. Families are formed through marriages, however, they are not the same as marriages in the United States. Traditionally, marriages are arranged by parents when their children are usually around ten to twelve years old, in some cases, even before one has been born. The family of the female child who is to be married will often receive gifts from the family of the groom, with the gifts increasing in value as the marriage approaches. Also, to show respect to the family of the bride, the groom will often do some work or other favors for the family.

After the marriage, the couple will move into the courtyard of the husband's family, thus extending the family. However, if a husband dies, the children will remain with the father's family and his wife will marry his brother. The family is also polygamous, meaning that one husband could have more than one wife. However, one does not do so until he is able to support multiple wives. Children within the family will spend most of their time with their mothers through the ages of nine or ten. Then the girls will work with their mothers with the boys spending time with older male relatives. The children will go on to learn the traditions of the family from its elders. In the past, the children didn't have any choice of work, they were required to farm. Now, young men will often leave for the Ivory Coast to find more opportunity.

In traditional Mossi culture, the land was not owned, but rather used by the family. The elders decided how the land would be divided for use by different households. This system holds true today, however, the government technically owns all of the land. Within the cities and larger villages, the land is divided into sections and those who pay the taxes on the land can own it and even have the right to sell it. The rights of individuals are mostly determined by the individual's family. If one wants to move or build some place else, they must get permission from the family elder.

The rights of women are even more restricted than the rights of men. However, basic human rights are supposed to be guaranteed by law, but this is not always be the case, particularly in more remote areas. Burkina Faso has a system of law, which is modeled after the French system. However, in rural areas, if one is caught stealing or caught for some other minor offense, punishment can be carried out through vigilante action. This can result in people being beaten, even to the point of death. However, as crimes become more serious, the local chief or the police will handle them.

Communication between the Mossi is usually oral with stories and proverbs being popular teaching aids. People tend to spend a lot of time in market situations talking with other people. This is how news typically travels in community settings, it is surprisingly fast. Radios are becoming more and more popular among the younger generations. Even television sets are emerging in some cities and towns. However, news from the outside world is sparse.

The educational system in Burkina Faso is, once again, modeled after the French system. However, most people are not able to take advantage of this system. Schools are found in most cities, but the student who wish to attend them must pay for their own books and supplies along with other fees, thus, making it unaffordable. Another reason why more people do not attend school is because the classes are taught in the French language which is to be learned while the students study other course materials.

Though this page has been carefully researched, the author does not claim expertise on the Mossi.

If you are Mossi, your feedback is much appreciated.

Sources:

Hammond, P.B. "The Mossi People." Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia 1994, Online. 6 April. 2001.

McKenzie, Glenn. "900 Year Old Dynasty Fights for Survival in Burkina Faso." Associated Press 1998, Online. 6 April. 2001.

Peterson, Heather. "Mossi Structure." By His Grace 1993, Online. 6 April. 2001.

Written by: Jeff Pahl