National Economy, Ethnic relation and History. Burkina Faso's seventeen million people belong to two major West African cultural groups the Voltaic and the Mande (whose common language is Dioula). History and Culture Information and Travel Guide. Vacation package Book. The Voltaic Mossi make up about one-half of the population. The Mossi claim descent from warriors who migrated to present-day Burkina Faso from Ghana and established an empire that lasted more than 800 years. Predominantly farmers, the Mossi kingdom is still led by the Mogho Naba, whose court is in Ouagadougou.