Nanumba people
 | |
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 78,812 (2000) | |
| Languages | |
| Nanugli, French | |
| Religion | |
| Islam, Christianity, Traditionalism | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Mole-Dagbon people |
The Nanumba people are an ethnic group whose traditional homeland is in the southeast of the Northern Region of Ghana. They speak Nanugli (var. Nanuni), a Gur language.[2][3]
Geography[edit]
As of 2000, population of the Nanumba in Ghana were estimated at 78,812.[1]
Though Nanumba constitute a homogeneous cultural and linguistic group, they are closely related to the Dagomba to the north and east and the Mamprusi further to the north, and more-remotely to the Mossi of Burkina Faso. Traditionally the originating ancestors of the paramount chiefly lines of the former three brothers, and the Mossi paramounts descended from a daughter of the Mamprusi line. Published references include quoted statements of Mampruli speakers: Ti ŋmampurisi, Yooba, Naanumma ni Moosi piiligu nyɛ la Kyama maa "The origin of us Mamprusi, Dagomba and Nanumba was in Chama",[3] Ti zaa nyɛ la yimmu "We are all one. (Mamprusi, Dagomba, Nanumba)"[4] and discussion in [passim].[5]
The capital town of the Nanumba is Bimbilla, a small town which serves as the capital of Nanumba North district in the Northern Region of north Ghana.[6] It is also the capital of the Nanumba State and the seat of the Overlord of Nanumba, the Bimbilla Naa.[7]
Traditional authority[edit]
The highest level in the traditional hierarchy, referred to in English as the 'Paramount Chief' or sometimes 'King', is the last court of appeal for all disputes at lower levels: between paramounts there was no recourse other than war. The subjects of a Paramount Chief constitute an ethnic group or 'tribe'. In this system the Bimbilla Naa with his seat at Bimbilla is the Paramount Chief of the Nanumba ethnic group.[8] The area occupied by the Nanumba is known as Nanung. It was founded by Gmantambo, a son of Naa Gbewaa. The leopard is the emblem of the area, and the seat of the Bimbilla Naa is called the Gmantambo Palace. The Nanumba have a particularly close relationship with the Dagomba, but the larger group have rarely exercised direct power over them.[9]
In modern Ghana there is a House of Chiefs where traditional matters have a forum at the level of the nation state.[10]
Religion[edit]
Islam is the most-practised and characteristic religion of the Nanumba and the Dagomba, the Nanumba less-so than the Dagomba, though many people also consult non-Muslim diviners and give offerings to ancestral and other shrines.[11] There are a few Christians, mostly Roman Catholics.[12]
Festivals[edit]
Besides the two Islamic festivals; Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, the Nanumba celebrate Bugum Chugu, Damba and Naa Jigli festivals.[13][14][15]
References[edit]
- ^ a b Alhassan Sulemana Anamzoya & Steve Tonah (2012). "Chieftaincy Succession Dispute in Nanun, Northern Ghana: Interrogating the Narratives of the Contestants". Ghana Journal of Geography. 4: 83–101.
- ^ A. K. Awedoba (2010). An Ethnographic Study of Northern Ghanaian Conflicts: Towards a Sustainable Peace : Key Aspects of Past, Present, and Impending Conflicts in Northern Ghana and the Mechanisms for Their Address. African Books Collective. p. 321. ISBN 9789988647384.
- ^ a b Wundow, Salifu [2nd. edn.] p.1 (2004). ŋmampurugu Piiligu Yala. G.I.L.L.B.T.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ Drucker-Brown, Susan (1975). Ritual aspects of the Mamprusi kingship. Leiden : Afrika-Studiecentrum v.8. OCLC 2184368.
- ^ St John-Parsons, D (1958). Legends of Northern Ghana. London, New York, Longmans, Green. OCLC 3803111.
- ^ "8 persons arrested over Bimbilla clashes". Graphic.com.gh. GhanaWeb. 11 July 2015. Retrieved January 15, 2016.
- ^ Cheater, Angela (2003). The Anthropology of Power: ASA Monographs. Routledge. p. 224. ISBN 9781134650484.
- ^ Mohammed, Sulemana (August 2009). "Understanding the Causes and Impacts of Conflicts in the Northern Region of Ghana" (PDF). Ghana Policy Journal. 3 (4): 110–140.
- ^ Attah, Hajia Salamatu Nantogmah (11 July 2014). "The Bimbilla chieftaincy struggle: what we must know". Ghanaweb.com. Retrieved February 8, 2016.
- ^ Iddrisu, Farouk Adam (2 August 2014). "Unanswered questions on the Bimbilla chieftaincy issue". Ghanaweb.com. Retrieved February 8, 2016.
- ^ "Nanumba North District". Ghanadistricts.gov. 2006. Retrieved February 8, 2016.
- ^ "NANUMBA NORTH DISTRICT" (PDF). Ghana Statistical Service. 2014. p. 82. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 7, 2015. Retrieved February 8, 2016.
- ^ Bonsu, Abigail (1 February 2013). "Damba festival comes off successfully". Zakaria Alhassan. Retrieved January 15, 2016.
- ^ "Fire Festival update: Truck kills reveler; man butchered; 15 injured after gun violence". Myjoyonline.com. October 25, 2015. Retrieved January 15, 2016.
- ^ Zadok Kwame Gyesi & Suweiba Yakubu (2 October 2015). "Bimbilla celebrates Naa Jigli". Graphic.com.gh. Retrieved January 15, 2016.