List of rulers of Wogodogo


The Mogho Naba, literally head of the world, is the monarch of Wogodogo, one of the Mossi Kingdoms located in present-day Burkina Faso. The kingdom takes its name from its historic capital, now the Burkinabé national capital of Ouagadougou. Although the most politically powerful of the Mossi Kingdoms, there was no Mossi "empire", and the Wogodogo king did not have authority over the other kingdoms. The French colonial period and subsequent independence have reduced the power vested in the position, but the Mogho Naba retains an influential role in Burkina Faso.
The position is typically hereditary, following male-only lines of descent. Originally, the position passed primarily to brothers, rather than to sons, but by the reign of Zombré had transitioned to its current order of succession, where rule generally passes to the eldest living son of the previous ruler. Children born to sons who predecease their fathers are not eligible to inherit the title. However, a council is ultimately responsible for selecting the Mogho Naba, and the heir apparent may be passed over if, for example, he is deemed physically unfit for the position's traditional role in war or if he would fail to uphold the dignity of the office. This council has traditionally included: the baloum naba, head of the king's servants; the gounga naba, leader of the infantry; the larale naba, keeper of the royal tombs; the kamsaogo naba, manager of the palace eunuchs; and the widi naba, the royal groom.
The list of the Moro Naba of Ouagadougou, as well as the time of reign, is recited every morning at the arrival of the Moro Naba and is known by the Bend Naba and the griots of the court.

Rulers of Wogodogo

The chronology of the Mossi Kingdoms prior to the French occupation is unclear. Historian Yamba Tiendrebeogo reconstructed the history of Wogodogo from Mossi oral tradition that included the lengths of the reigns of historical rulers. Other scholars propose more recent dates for many pre-colonial events—setting the start of Oubri's reign around 1495 rather than 1182—and correspondingly shorter reigns for many rulers.

As Mogho Naba of Tenkodogo

The first Mossi Kingdom was centered around Tenkodogo. Wogodogo, initially a client state of Tenkodogo, gradually grew in power until it was the dominant political power in the Mossi Kingdoms; nevertheless, the rulers of Tenkodogo prior to the formation of Wogodogo are counted as kings of Wogodogo by tradition.
No.RulerRule beganRule endedNotesRef
1Ouedraogo1132
2Zoungrana11321182

As Mogho Naba of Oubritenga

The first capitol of Oubritenga was Guilongou, near modern-day Ziniaré, but typically moved to a village preferred by each new king upon his accession.
No.RulerRule beganRule endedNotesRef
3Oubri11821244
4Naskiemdé12441286
5Nasbiré12861307
6Soarba13071323
7Gnignemdo13231337
8Koundoumié13371358
9Kouda13581401
10Dawingna14011409
11Zoétré Bousma14091441
12Niandfo14411511
13Nakienb-Zanga15111541Also known as Nakim
14Namégué15411542
15Kiba15421561
16Kimba15611582
17Goabga15821599
18Guirga15991605
19Zanna16051633
20Oubi16331659
21Motiba16591666
22Warga16661681

As Mogho Naba of Wogodogo

Naba Zombré relocated the capitol to Wogodogo.
No.RulerRule beganRule endedNotesRef
23Zombré16811744
24Saga I17441762
25Kom I17621783
26Doulougou17831802
27Sawadogo18021834
28Karfo18341842
29Baongo I18421850
30Koutou18501871
31Sanem18711889
32Wobgho18891897Also known as Boukari Koutou
33Siguiri18971905
34Kom II19051942
35Saga II19421957
36Kougri1957December 1982
37Baongo II1983present

In 1958, Moro Naba Kougri wanted to impose a constitutional monarchy on Upper Volta but failed in his attempt. The present Moro Naba is Baongo II, son of Naba Kougri and Koudpoko.

Scope of power

According to Titinga Frédéric Pacéré, in tradition, he is considered all powerful with right of life and death on the inhabitants of Ouagadougou and Oubritenga. In practice, his power was subject to the custom and law of the fathers. He personifies the empire and embodies its unity, but power is really in the hands of the court of the Moro Naba, ministers who make decisions and govern the country. This complex organisation of powers is materialised every Friday during the ceremony of the false departure of the king.
The Moro Naba has no authority over the other kingdoms of Tenkodogo, Fada N'Gourma, Boussouma and Ouahigouya, whose sovereigns would be, like him, descendants of Yennenga.
Traditionally, the rulers of these four kingdoms and the Ouagadougou Mogho Naba avoid each other, but they happen to meet, such as happened in 1946 to consult on the reconstruction of the Upper Volta.