Bissa people
The Bissa (also: Boussanga ) are an ethnic group whose settlement area is located in the north- eastern part of Ghana, the Ivory Coast and Togo in the southeast of the West African country of Burkina Faso. The Bissa alternatively known as Bisa, Biza, Bokhobaru, Bokobaru, Busa, Busanga, Wiza, Zogbe. In Burkina Faso, approximately 413,000 Bissa, in Ghana live about 176,000, in the Ivory Coast and about 99,000 in Togo about 4,700.
The Bissa differ from their neighbors, especially through language, Bissa, which is in contrast to the neighboring languages is a Mande language. Apart from a distant linguistic relationship they have no culturally significant similarities with the Mandevölkern of the great medieval Mande - kingdoms. Centers of the Bissa are the cities Garango, Zabre and Tenkodogo in the province Boulgou.
Settlement history
On the origin of the Bissa are several hypotheses, none of which can be based on written historical records. The first written records date from the period of colonial conquest. In the oral tradition, the history of the Bissa is closely linked with that of the Mossi kingdoms, and in particular with the history of the Kingdom of Tenkodogo. About the origin of the Bissa different hypotheses have been proposed. Some authors argue that the Bissa are not originally been resident in today's settlement area, but only immigrated as followers of the Mossi. Others may see the origin of the Bissa also in the former Dagomba area considered as the original settlement area of the Mossi. However, you expect a hike that should have taken place before the migration of the Mossi. Others include a first settlement of the area by the Bissa not, but assume that recently took place more temporally downstream colonization.
The oral traditions tell in addition to the connection of Bissa and Mossi from a relationship of the Bissa with the Samo in northwestern Burkina Faso. About the separation of the two groups reported the so-called " dog's head story" that is told differently depending on the area. Both groups report how the allocation of a dog's head, which is traditionally considered a delicacy entitled the Elder, a dispute breaks out. Then leaves a group the common settlement - go according to the Bissa the Samo Samo and according to the Bissa. Clear conclusions on migration and former settlement areas can be however, this does not pull. The common knowledge of the family relationships, however, suggests that the time depth of the separation is probably less than the elimination of Samo / Bissa of the related Boko / Busa.
Political Organization
Within the Bissa - area different political structures coexist. The eastern part, which corresponds to the area of Barka dialect, is under the direct influence of the Mossi ruler of Tenkodogo. The western part, the LEBRi area, consists of a multitude of autonomous cantons, which place great value on their independence from Tenkodogo and in case of conflict received shifting alliances with other Bissa - cantons. The most important unit is the village, the village has its own chief, Ki protrudes. In almost all villages the inhabitants belong to a single clan. In larger settlements, such as Zabre, live together several clans, but finds here a division into " quarters " again, which in turn are only inhabited by a clan. The cantonal organization is clear, for example, in the appointment of new village chiefs, as the legitimation is necessary for appointment by other chiefs.