Yatenga is a modern region found in the northern central area of Burkina Faso and formerly a powerful kingdom in the west of Africa. It was founded as a Mossi state along with Ouagadougou, Tengkodogo , and Gourma by invaders from neighboring Ghana. Each of the Mossi states (including Yatenga) possessed a strong military that was able to repel attacks from hostile tribes and nations.
The Yatenga nation was also renowned for its unique style of Mossi masks. They are tall, vertically-oriented, and concave-faced. They are considered to be some of the best examples of Mossi art available today.
When the European powers began their mad scramble for territory in Africa in the 19th century, France brokered a deal making Yatenga a French protectorate. Following the annexation of the other Mossi states, the area was governed as Upper Volta until the nation's independence on August 5th, 1960.
In modern Yatenga, the most prominent city is Ouahigouya (also known as Waiguya). This city served as the capital of the old Mossi kingdom, but its influence has decreased in the century or two since colonization. The city is famed today for being home to the Naba's (king's) compund and the tomb of Naba Kango.
