Yennega, Warrior Princess — Bronze Revival

YENNEGA, THE WARRIOR PRINCESS

LOT 22 - YENNEGA, THE WARRIOR PRINCESS ON HORSEBACK, LARGE - 37”H x 29”W x 13”D
(94 x 73.6 x 33 cm)

Yennega was the beautiful, strong-willed daughter of the 12th century King of Dagbon (present-day northern Ghana).

An outstanding horsewoman, skilled in weaponry such as the spear and javelin, she was also known for her double-arrowed bow. From the age of 14 she fought alongside her father in battles against the neighboring Malinkés, eventually leading her own battalion. As his most prized fighter, King Nadega refused to give his daughter’s hand in marriage according to custom. Yennega showed her displeasure by having a field of okra planted in front of the palace and let it rot.

When questioned about this, her only answer was, “What do you think of the old okra?” She was imprisoned for her insolence and her father continued to neglect the subject of her marriage.

With help from one of her loyal attendants, she soon escaped in disguise as a man and fled from the palace on horseback, riding north. Exhausted, hungry and lost, her horse finally led her into the forest in the region of Yanga, home at the time to the Bissa people, also known as the Busansi people. Yennega waited in the bushes near a hut she hoped was abandoned, but it transpired that it was the home of a hunter named Rialé.

He later returned from hunting and extended a warm welcome to his visitor. He was impressed by the traveler’s obvious courage and confidence, though he deduced that his visitor was in disguise. Yennega revealed her true identity and the couple soon fell in love. They married and had a son whom Rialé wanted to name. Yennega did not agree with his choice and insisted on calling the child ‘Ouédraogo’ (meaning ‘stallion’) as a tribute to the horse on which she had fled her father’s palace and which had led her to her husband, the source of her delight.

Meanwhile, King Nadega regretted his harsh treatment of his beloved daughter and launched a search for her over several years. Later, as a young man, Ouédraogo paid a visit to his grandfather. The King was overjoyed and sent delegates to welcome back his daughter and her husband to the Dagbon kingdom. He ordered the best military training for Ouédraogo and bestowed many gifts upon his grandson, including a cavalry, cattle, horses and attendants.

Some time later when Ouédraogo left Dagbon, a number of the Dagomba people followed him. With this group of farmers and horsemen, he settled on a site originally occupied by the Bissa people. He called the village ‘Tankourou’ (present-day Tenkodogo, literally ‘old country’). His power grew as the Dagomba population increased to thousands under his leadership.

Ouédraogo and his Dagomba clan married Bissa women and gave birth to a new people, known as the Mosse or Mossi people. Hence, Ouédraogo is seen as the ancestor of the Mossis and Yennega, their grandmother.

Opinions differ as to the circumstances and place of Yennega’s death. According to some historians, Rialé and his wife lived for many years in Bitou where Yennega died. Her body was transported to Dagbon for burial. Until recent times, her tomb was the object of great reverence and became a pilgrimage site for each generation of Mossi kings. However, traditional beliefs from the courts of Tenkodogo affirm that Yennega had returned to Dagbon, reigned in the kingdom and died there.

Still another subject of dispute between history and folklore is the cause of Yennega’s departure from her father’s palace. The historians insist that the King of Dagbon, not having a male child to succeed him, raised and educated Yennega as a boy and an audacious rider, feared by their enemies and later imprisoned by her father.

The traditionalists claim that it was widely expected that she would replace her father on the throne, but her jealous male cousins decided to get rid of her. During a hunting trip, they drugged the princess’ horse which ran into the forest, out of control. Yennega and her followers became lost and then met Rialé in the forest of Bitou.

Nonetheless, all agree on the subject of Yennega’s descendants. Ouédraogo was raised as a warrior in the tradition of his kin. He conquered his enemies to obtain vital space for his growing troops and herds.

Hence, the son of Yennega became the founder of the Mossi people. His sons and grandsons in turn conquered other kingdoms which remained solidly united even though they each maintained a fairly large autonomy. Today, Ouédraogo remains the most common name in Burkina Faso.

During her era, women held an important role in society. Yennega was no exception. Women participated in combat and Yennega is known as a symbol of revolt against paternal authority, challenging the rules that limited the freedom of women.

The importance of freedom as a human right was passed on from Yennega to her descendants.

LOT 22 - YENNEGA, THE WARRIOR PRINCESS ON HORSEBACK, LARGE - 37”H x 29”W x 13”D
(94 x 73.6 x 33 cm)

The Mossi warriors allowed the subjects of their conquered chiefdoms to retain their cultural identity, similar to those defined in the Human Rights Declaration Charter, which the Mossis have called ‘The Burkindlum’.

Each one who benefited from that freedom was called ‘a Burkina’ which means ‘a free man’.

Thus, Yennega was the first Burkina.

Across the country, there are institutions and enterprises dedicated to her memory. There are also numerous monuments and bronze sculptures depicting Yennega, a symbol of a woman with a strong character and an independent mind.

LOT 23 - OUÉDRAOGO, YENNEGA’S ROYAL STALLION, LARGE - 57”H x 53”W x 17”D (145 x 135 x 43 cm)