Yennenga
| Princess Yennenga | |
|---|---|
| Princess | |
Statue of Yennenga, an emblematic figure in Burkina Faso | |
| Born | 11th-15th century Gambaga |
| House | Kingdom of Dagbon |
| Father | Naa Gbewaa (King Nedega) |
| Mother | Napoko |
Yennenga (born 11th-15th century) was a legendary princess, considered the mother of the Mossi people of Burkina Faso. She was a famous warrior within the Kingdom of Dagbon, now in present day Ghana. The founder of the Kingdom of Dagbon was her father, Nedega. Nedega refused to let Yennenga marry, resulting in her leaving the kingdom. On the run with her horse, she met a young hunter, Rialé with whom she had a child called Ouedraogo. Ouedraogo is a famous last name in Burkina Faso and means "male horse" in honour of the horse which led the princess to Rialé. Yennenga or her son Ouedraogo are considered the founder of the Mossi Kingdoms. There are different versions about the escape of the princess.