Étalon de Yennenga

Étalon de Yennenga (English:Stallion of Yennenga) is an award bestowed to distinguished individuals involved with the Burkinabe's silver screen, awarded by the Panafrican Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou (FESPACO), in recognition of the grand prize for the Best Film. First commenced in 1972, it is considered as the most prestigious award in Africa cinema.

History

The 'Étalon de Yennenga' means Stallion of Yennenga refers to Princess Yennenga, the founding myth of the Mossi Empire, the main ethnic group in Burkina Faso. The story of Yennenga dates back to the beginning of the 12th century in the Mossi's Dagomba Kingdom. The soldiers of Dagomba's king, Nedega, were brave and almost always won in any show of force. Nedega's daughter, Yennenga, who was a horse-woman, and adept at using javelins, spears and bows.

Award

It is shared by Burkina Faso's most popular film makers, Idrissa Ouedraogo. Ouedraogo won the Yennenga prize in 1991 for the film Tilai. The first winner of this prize is the Oumarou Ganda in 1972 with his film Le Wazzou polygame.

In 2005, 19th edition of FESPACO, two new awards titled "Stallion" were awarded. The trophy of the Stallion Award was made by Burkinabe sculptor Ali Nikiméa. The Yennenga Standard Grand Prize then becomes the Yennenga Gold Standard Grand Prize, and the new awards are named Yennenga Silver Standard and Yennenga Bronze Standard.

List of Winners of the Yennenga Stallion

References

1. Yennenga
2. List of FESPACO award winners
3. Panafrican Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou
4. L'orage africain: un continent sous influence
5. Griot
6. Sarraounia (film)
7. Muna Moto
8. Baara
9. Heritage Africa
10. Cheick Oumar Sissoko
11. Cinema of Niger
12. The Gravedigger's Wife
13. Teza (film)
14. Ezra (2007 film)
15. Roger Gnoan M'Bala
16. Drum (2004 film)
17. Tilaï
18. Burkina Faso national football team
19. Jean-Pierre Bekolo
20. Le Wazzou polygame