Her Name Was Yennenga

In this book, author Anita Kane, introduces Princess Yennenga to the world not only as a fearless warrior, but also as a young woman who faced difficulties because of her status as a woman. This biography reconstructs the origin story of the famous African family name Ouedraogo through the centuries-old story of Princess Yennenga, the founding mother of the Mossi in Burkina Faso. A horsewoman and formidable warrior, Princess Yennenga preferred a peaceful life, as a wife and mother, to her role as chief of the royal army. She lived at a time when tradition was law; women had little choice in their destiny and disobeying traditions was tantamount to spurning the ancestors. However, by dint of courage and determination, Yennenga managed to forge her own path. This book is an invitation to perceive this princess not as an unattainable myth, but rather to be inspired by her life, to celebrate her legacy, and to use her teachings in our modern world.