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Title: | The articulation of the Moose traditional chieftaincies, the modern political system, and the economic development of Kaya Region, Burkina Faso |
Author: | Ouedraogo, Jean-Baptiste |
Year: | 1996 |
Periodical: | Journal of Legal Pluralism and Unofficial Law |
Issue: | 37-38 |
Pages: | 249-261 |
Language: | English |
Geographic term: | Burkina Faso |
Subjects: | Mossi political systems chieftaincy |
External link: | https://doi.org/10.1080/07329113.1996.10756482 |
Abstract: | The traditional chieftaincy of the Moose in the region of Kaya (Burkina Faso) ranks high in the Moose power hierarchy, being the most important after that of Ouagadougou and Tenkodogo. This article surveys the relations between the Moose chiefs of Kaya and the colonial and postcolonial State. The French colonial regime found chiefs to be useful tools in administering the colony. Some postcolonial governments, most notably the first elected government (1960-1966) and Thomas Sankara's revolutionary government (1983-1987), outlawed many aspects of Moose chieftaincy, and in fact attempted to abolish the institution of chieftaincy as a whole. Other governments, such as that of Captain Blaise Compaoré from 1987 onwards, have found it necessary to restore Moose chieftaincy. Moose chiefs need the recognition of the State in order to be able to survive as an institution. At the same time, the State needs the support of the Moose chiefs in order to mobilize the rural population in times of crisis, when electoral support is needed, or for development. In conclusion, the author raises several questions as to to the sustainability and consequences of the present alliance between traditional and modern political power. Bibliogr., ref. |