Tenkodogo
Encyclopedia
Tenkodogo is the capital city of Boulgou Province and Centre-Est Region
in Burkina Faso
with a population of 40,839 (2006).
that dates back to 1120. The name Tenkodogo is derived from the Moore words tenga, meaning land and kodogo, meaning old. The city was said to be founded by Ouedraogo, (son of Ghanaian princess Yennenga), the founder of the Mossi empire who landed in the area. Of his three sons, Diaba Lompo headed east to lay the foundations of Gourmanche, Rawa went north to found Zandoma but his youngest son Zoungrana stayed to assume the mantle of the town. According to tradition, there is a triple fork about 50km from Tenkodogo symbolising the three paths. Tenkodogo Naba is considered to most important of the Mossi kings of the town.
While the political status of Tenkodogo was somewhat overshadowed by Zoungrana, in the 19th century it became an important rendezvous point for foreign powers discussing the French influence in Burkina Faso. After ousting Moro Naba from Ouagadougou
, the French had designs on Tenkodogo but faced stiff opposition from the British captain Donald Stewart who had travelled up from Kumasi
in present day Ghana
to represent his country on appeal of the fleeing Naba Wobgo who had been usurped by the French in the capital. Important discussions occurred between the French and the British on February 7, 1897.
The discussion rather than being heated was said to be highly amicable. The French lieutenant Chanoine wrote in October 1897 that "The representative of England received us with great courtesy and luxury, a comfort of which we had lost all idea since our leaving France". At the conference in Tenkodogo it was agreed that the British would retreat the Mamprusi Kingdom 120km further south in the Gold Coast
but only if the French would do the same and retreat from Tenkodogo. However the agreement was far more beneficial to the French, who in succeeding in getting the British out of Burkinaonly saw their agreement as temporary and planned on making a swift return once the British had fully retreated. Chanoine was reported as to saying "We've done it. The English were immobile at Kumasi, waiting for the winter to pass to take occupation of Mossi and Gourounsi already taken by Binger, Crozat and Monteil.We have faith in our civilising mission, the certainty of working for the good of the land, and for the future of France".
. The main market takes place every 3 days.The Restaurant Patisserie Salon du Thé is known for its tea, yoghurt and pastries. The Le Rotisseur restaurant is known for its grilled chicken. Notable hotels include Hotel Djamou, Hotel Djamou Annexe, Hotel Laafi, and Auberge Riale.
Centre-Est Region
Centre-Est is one of Burkina Faso's 13 administrative regions. The population of Centre-Est was 1,132,023 in 2006. The region's capital is Tenkodogo. Three provinces - Boulgou, Koulpélogo, and Kouritenga, make up the region. In 2005, this region was governed by Jacob Ouedraogo ....
in Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso – also known by its short-form name Burkina – is a landlocked country in west Africa. It is surrounded by six countries: Mali to the north, Niger to the east, Benin to the southeast, Togo and Ghana to the south, and Côte d'Ivoire to the southwest.Its size is with an estimated...
with a population of 40,839 (2006).
History
Tenkodogo was the center of a city state of the Mossi EmpireMossi Kingdoms
The Mossi Kingdoms, sometimes mistakenly referred to as the Mossi Empire, were a trio of powerful states in modern-day Burkina Faso. Each state possessed similar customs and government, but were ruled independently of each other...
that dates back to 1120. The name Tenkodogo is derived from the Moore words tenga, meaning land and kodogo, meaning old. The city was said to be founded by Ouedraogo, (son of Ghanaian princess Yennenga), the founder of the Mossi empire who landed in the area. Of his three sons, Diaba Lompo headed east to lay the foundations of Gourmanche, Rawa went north to found Zandoma but his youngest son Zoungrana stayed to assume the mantle of the town. According to tradition, there is a triple fork about 50km from Tenkodogo symbolising the three paths. Tenkodogo Naba is considered to most important of the Mossi kings of the town.
While the political status of Tenkodogo was somewhat overshadowed by Zoungrana, in the 19th century it became an important rendezvous point for foreign powers discussing the French influence in Burkina Faso. After ousting Moro Naba from Ouagadougou
Ouagadougou
Ouagadougou is the capital of Burkina Faso and the administrative, communications, cultural and economic center of the nation. It is also the country's largest city, with a population of 1,475,223 . The city's name is often shortened to Ouaga. The inhabitants are called ouagalais...
, the French had designs on Tenkodogo but faced stiff opposition from the British captain Donald Stewart who had travelled up from Kumasi
Kumasi
Kumasi is a city in southern central Ghana's Ashanti region. It is located near Lake Bosomtwe, in the Rain Forest Region about northwest of Accra. Kumasi is approximately north of the Equator and north of the Gulf of Guinea...
in present day Ghana
Ghana
Ghana , officially the Republic of Ghana, is a country located in West Africa. It is bordered by Côte d'Ivoire to the west, Burkina Faso to the north, Togo to the east, and the Gulf of Guinea to the south...
to represent his country on appeal of the fleeing Naba Wobgo who had been usurped by the French in the capital. Important discussions occurred between the French and the British on February 7, 1897.
The discussion rather than being heated was said to be highly amicable. The French lieutenant Chanoine wrote in October 1897 that "The representative of England received us with great courtesy and luxury, a comfort of which we had lost all idea since our leaving France". At the conference in Tenkodogo it was agreed that the British would retreat the Mamprusi Kingdom 120km further south in the Gold Coast
Gold Coast (region)
The Gold Coast was the region of West Africa which is now the nation of Ghana. Early uses of the term refer literally to the coast and not the interior. It was not until the 19th century that the term came to refer to areas that are far from the coast...
but only if the French would do the same and retreat from Tenkodogo. However the agreement was far more beneficial to the French, who in succeeding in getting the British out of Burkinaonly saw their agreement as temporary and planned on making a swift return once the British had fully retreated. Chanoine was reported as to saying "We've done it. The English were immobile at Kumasi, waiting for the winter to pass to take occupation of Mossi and Gourounsi already taken by Binger, Crozat and Monteil.We have faith in our civilising mission, the certainty of working for the good of the land, and for the future of France".
Economy
The villages surrounding Tenkodogo are primarily based around animal husbandryAnimal husbandry
Animal husbandry is the agricultural practice of breeding and raising livestock.- History :Animal husbandry has been practiced for thousands of years, since the first domestication of animals....
. The main market takes place every 3 days.The Restaurant Patisserie Salon du Thé is known for its tea, yoghurt and pastries. The Le Rotisseur restaurant is known for its grilled chicken. Notable hotels include Hotel Djamou, Hotel Djamou Annexe, Hotel Laafi, and Auberge Riale.