Mossi

Member of the majority ethnic group living in Burkina Faso. Their social structure, based on a monarchy, aristocracy, commoners, and slaves, was established in the 13th–14th centuries. There are about 4 million speakers of Mossi, a language belonging to the Gur branch of the Niger–Congo family.

The Mossi were farmers and artisans, the latter forming separate castes. They traded slaves, iron, and livestock, using cowrie shells as currency. Most now work as wage labourers. Some retain traditional beliefs; others have become Muslims.