The Mossi people are located primarily on the Mossi Plateau in Central Burkina Faso, but many have migrated to the Ivory Coast in search of work. Smaller groups can be found in Benin, Ghana, Niger and Togo.

The organization of the Mossi society begins with extended families living together in one large courtyard or several adjacent courtyards. The next unit is the village with the chief as the leader. Groups of villages were originally ruled by regional chiefs with the grand chief or king (Mogho  Naba) ruling the country. Now the country is divided into provinces and departments according to the French political system. The families are still the basic units and village chiefs still have   influence but little real power. The Mogho Naba is basically a traditional figure with no power and some influence, mainly in the Ouagadougou area.

Families relate to each other by relationships established in the market place, at funerals (especially of a respected elder) where all the families in an area will turn out, and through marriages which link  different families. Sometimes families may be pulled together because the elders of the families  become close friends. People from different families meet at the market, along the roads, in the   fields and at the funerals. Whenever people meet, greetings are of utmost importance. All of the ritual questions concerning health of families must be answered, although little real information about the actual health of a person is exchanged. The standard response is almost always "laafi bala" (health  only). Failing to properly greet someone or to greet older people respectfully is a great insult.

Traditionally, the places of honor in Mossi society were occupied by elders and position among elders depended upon the family size and how well traditions had been followed. This has changed somewhat as people who are successful merchants, teachers, or government leaders may gain position without  being elderly. However, in the bush areas, well off the beaten path, age is still probably the most important factor.

A strong characteristic of Mossi people is their hospitality toward strangers. This holds true for visitors from other regions, from other tribes and even for foreigners from other countries. Mossi people are eager to learn about other peoples and areas and are relatively open about their society. However, some traditional beliefs about ancestor veneration, sacrifices, and the spirit world are closely guarded.

LAND OWNERSHIP

In traditional Mossi culture, the land was not owned but was simply used by the family. Ancient boundaries between families seem to be honored without much friction. The family elder decides how the family lands will be divided for use by different households. This system still functions in the bush although the government technically owns all of the land. In cities and larger villages, land is divided into parcels and people who pay the various taxes on a parcel can then have title to it and later sell it. Walls are built around the parcels to delineate boundaries.

RITES OF PASSAGE

In Mossi society, rites which mark the passage from childhood to adult are circumcision of boys (ages 9-16) and excision of girls (ages 10-14). In the past, all Mossi children passed through bush schools to teach traditions and carry out rites of passage. These "schools" are fading away and are probably found only in remote areas now.

RIGHTS OF INDIVIDUALS

The rights of an individual are largely determined by the family. If people want to move or build, etc., one must get permission from the family elder. Womens’ rights are even more restricted since it is very difficult for them to break away from the family. Now, human rights are supposed to be guaranteed by law, but often law does not extend into the bush. For example, by law young women can not be forced to marry someone against their will. If a young women can get to the (police) gendarmes, she can get a judgment in her favor.  However, it is very difficult for her to escape her courtyard and reach the gendarmes if she lives in the bush.  Then, even if she does get a judgment in her favor, her family usually rejects her and she has no place to live.

Traditional village chiefs inherit their position. A child can inherit the title of chief but must be assisted by older relatives who act as advisors. They would not lose their position except by a major scandal. Village chiefs now have no real political power. Villages now have delegates and each department has a prefet who has powers similar to a justice of the peace. Delegates are chosen by consensus among village elders. Usually it is not an older person, but a man who shows leadership ability and has some education. Delegates handle small problems and larger problems are referred to the prefet appointed by the government. All of the leaders, both traditional and political are generally respected due to their position.

Family values are the glue that holds the Mossi society together. The respect for elders and obedience to them affects all areas of life. People are expected to help family members in any difficult situation and share material possessions with them during crisis situations. Families are expected to discipline those who steal, injure someone, or disregard traditions. This is also closely related to religious beliefs which will be discussed later in the religion section. Fear of punishment by spirits of ancestors compels people to respect ancient traditions and values.

A legal system is in place for marriages with marriage certificates and a civil ceremony at the Mayor’s office. Although polygamy is widespread, only one wife is permitted in legal marriages. Western-style dating is not practiced. In rural areas, marriages are mainly still arranged with little input from the marriage partners as was discussed in the the family section. This is changing as people move into the cities and some men select their prospective wives, but they still rely on relatives or close friends to help with negotiations and plans. Divorce is fairly common and is usually instigated by the man.

Burkina Faso has a system of law patterned after the French system, complete with courts and prisons. In rural areas, much of the punishment for theft and other minor offenses is carried out by a vigilante style system. This can result in thieves being beaten to death by irate villagers. Where possible, families discipline offenders. Minor problems between families may be settled by the local chief. As crimes become more serious, they maybe handled by the delegates, then the prefet, and finally, very serious crimes would be handled by police and/or gendarmes in the towns.

TABOOS AND TRADITIONS

Taboos do not seem to be as prevalent in Mossi society as they are in many other African people groups. Many families have certain animals that they are not allowed to eat. One should offer a gift only with the right hand, greet with the right hand or wave a greeting with the right hand only. The failure to greet someone is a grave offense along with failure to respect the elders.

Much of Mossi tradition is practical. For example, traditional farming methods are used because they are known to work. People on the edge of famine can’t afford to take chances with new methods. so change is slow. Thus, ways to cultivate, to find a marriage partner, to build houses, to carry on commerce, etc. are slow to change.

Dress for men in Mossi society has become similar to western casual dress of slacks and shirts or t-shirts. In rural areas, older men still wear traditional robes. Women’s dress is still very conservative with dresses reaching the ankles. Often women wear blouses or t-shirts with a length of cloth (pagne) wrapped around them around them as a skirt. In rural areas, a few women still work around the courtyard or in the field without being dressed above the waist. This is not seen in the villages or markets except for mentally ill people. In the cities and larger towns, more and more young women are adopting western attire such as short skirts, jeans and slacks.

ART

Art forms in Mossi society to a large extent have faded and now are being revived in artisan centers in urban areas. Thus, the art centers have changed from the rural to the urban areas. Some traditional dance forms are still common in rural areas. Others, such as the ability to play traditional musical instruments, have almost disappeared with the exception of the playing of drums. The art of developing masks is restricted to a certain clan and some development continues. Objects of art are seldom seen in the bush, although some which are related to religious practices probably are hidden.

COMMUNICATION

Most of the Mossi people are oral communicators and learning even among educated people is usually by rote memorization. Stories and proverbs are popular teaching tools. Demonstrations are more effective than lectures in most cases.

Word of mouth is still the dominant form of communication. People spend a lot of time in the markets, at the stops along the trails where locally made millet beer is sold, visiting in courtyards and attending funerals. News can travel at amazingly rapid rates by word of mouth. Methods of communication are changing, however. Very few younger men would be found who do not own a radio. Several new radio stations, including some Christian stations, have opened during the past several years. Television sets are rarely seen in the rural areas, but more and more are seen in towns and cities. Each television set is viewed by friends and neighbors in addition to family members.

News other than strictly local news is spread by radio and television and by word of mouth from there. In many rural areas, news from the outside world is sparse. Government announcements are spread by the prefets and delegates in each department. Larger towns and villages have vehicles with loud speakers that travel through the neighborhoods making announcements. These are called "allo-allo" trucks because they get people’s attention by saying "allo-allo" and continuing in the Moore language.

EDUCATION

Most of the education about Mossi society, rules and traditions has been carried on within the family by the elders. Government rules are learned in schools, by radio transmission and by announcements made in the market place and passed on by word of mouth.

A complete educational system is in place in Burkina Faso patterned after the French system and complete with one university. Unfortunately, the majority of the population is unable to take advantage of these educational opportunities. Elementary schools are available in all of the cities and towns of any size. Schools are not near some residents in remote areas. However, pupils have to be able to buy their books and supplies and pay some fees. Many cannot afford even these limited charges. Schools are taught only in French and this may cause some children to drop out after struggling with learning the language along with studies. Expenses increase as one moves up through junior high and high school and numbers of students drastically decline. About 30-40% attend elementary school while less than 1% attend college. The government also has a literacy program in the Moore language. People can follow a course 8 hrs. per day for 50 days and learn reading, writing, and simple mathematics. The Bible is available in Moore but not many other printed materials can be found in the Moore language.

People with education gain some respect and vocations such as teachers, health care workers and government workers rank as more respected vocations. Policemen, various commercial occupations, and mechanics would probably rank just below the educated workers. Unfortunately, farmers would rank near the bottom although they would still command more respect in the remote rural areas.

HEALTH CARE

Medical care is very limited in rural areas. Local clinics are available in most regions, but they are staffed by"paramedic type" health workers with very limited training. Immunization programs are available to only a small percentage of the population. Hospitals are available in the cities. These are crowded even though many people cannot afford them.

In rural areas, may people still use traditional health care methods. Villages and rural areas have people who know how to treat simple bone fractures with crude splints that sometimes work quite well. Traditional cures are mixed with beliefs about magic. Some herbal remedies may be used that provide limited relief. All too often, people are depending solely on fetishes and incantations for healing. Many cling to these because they can’t afford medical treatment even when they believe it is better.

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