Mogho

Mogho is the title used by the Mossi people of Burkina Faso for the supreme traditional ruler known as the Mogho Naba. The holder of the title is the symbolic and historical leader of the Mossi confederation and the chief authority within Mossi society. The office is hereditary within a royal dynasty, with succession typically determined by the king’s council and dynastic elders.

The Mogho Naba's authority has historically encompassed both secular and spiritual functions, overseeing the administration of Mossi states and the maintenance of customs and ceremonies. The Mogho Naba's palace in Ouagadougou serves as the ceremonial seat, and the ruler presides over major rites and mediates disputes, while regional chiefs manage local governance under the overarching authority of the Mogho Naba.

Historically, the Mossi formed a powerful confederation in what is now central Burkina Faso, with the Mogho Naba at its apex. French colonial rule in the late 19th and early 20th centuries constrained royal power, but the office persisted as a traditional authority. After independence in 1960, the Mogho Naba continued to influence cultural life and local governance, often acting as a mediator among communities and as custodian of Mossi rituals.

Today, the Mogho Naba remains a prominent cultural figure in Burkina Faso. While political authority resides in the modern state, the throne continues to symbolize Mossi identity and heritage, with the palace and court involved in festivals, rites of passage, and the safeguarding of customary law.

Etymology: "Mogho" is a Mooré term; "Naba" means king, so Mogho Naba roughly translates as "great king."