Mogho Naba (also Moro Naba, Morho Naba, Mogh-Naba or Moogo Naaba), literally "head" (naba) of the "world" (moro), is a title for king of the Mossi, an ethnic group in Burkina Faso. The Mogho Naba is the king of Ouagadougou or Oubritenga. Guiba is the town where they traditionally lived before ascending to the throne. The Mogho Naba is traditionally chosen by the high dignitaries of the court, whom are, according to tradition, the descendants of Oubri (Wubri), the legendary founder of the Ouagadougou kingdom.
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The current Mogho Naba is Naba Baongo II.
History
According to tradition, Oubri was the grandson of Ouedraogo, founder of the Mossi kingdom in 13th century and son of the legendary Yennenga. Oubri, first Moro Naba, founded the city of Ouagadougou.
The list of the Moro Naba of Ouagadougou, as well as the time of reign, is recited every morning at the arrival of the latter, known by the Bend Naba and the griots of the court. The following are the traditional rulers in order:
- Ouédraogo, founder of the independent Mossi chiefdom (?-1132)
- Zoungrana (1132-1182)
- Oubri (1182-1244)
- Naskiemdé (1244-1286)
- Nasbiré (1286-1307)
- Soarba (1307-1323)
- Gningnemdo (1323-1337)
- Koundoumie (1337-1358)
- Kouda (1358-1401)
- Dawingma (1401-1409)
- Zoétré Bousma (1409-1441)
- Niandfo (1441-1511)
- Nakim, known as Nakiienb-Zanga (1511-1541)
- Namégué (1541-1542)
- Kilba (1542-1561)
- Kimba (1561-1582)
- Goalba (1582-1599)
- Guirga (1599-1605)
- Zanna (1605-1633)
- Oubi (1633-1659)
- Motiba (or Mottoba) (1659-1666)
- Warga (1666-1681)
- Zombré (1681-1744)
- Kom I (1744-1762)
- Saga I (1762-1783)
- Doulougou (1783-1802)
- Sawadogo (1802-1834)
- Karfo (1834-1842)
- Baongo I (1842-1850)
- Koutou (1850-1871)
- Sanem (1871-1889)
- Boukary Koutou (known as Wobgho) (1889-1897)
- Siguiri (1897-1905)
- Kom II (1905-1942)
- Sagha II (1942-1957)
- Kougri (1957-1982)
- Baongo II (21 December 1982)
In 1958, Moro Naba Kougri wanted to impose a constitutional monarchy on Upper Volta but failed in his attempt. The present Moro Naba Naba is Baongo II, son of Naba Kougri and Koudpoko.
Scope of power
According to Titinga Frédéric Pacéré, the Moro Naba is chosen among the male descendants of the last Moro Naba by the members of the council. In the 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.
The court of Moro Naba
The Moro Naba, a sovereign very respected by the Mossis, is the guardian of customs, the supreme head of administration, army and justice. He is assisted in the management of power by a council whose members are:
The Tinga Naba has the power to allocate the land within villages.