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Naa Gbewaa

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Naa Gbewaa (also known as Nedega or Kulu Gbagha) is the founder of the Kingdom of Dagbon, in what is now northern Ghana. His sons and daughters are credited with founding several states⁣,[1][2] including the Mossi Kingdoms of Burkina Faso.[3] He established a stable and prosperous kingdom.[4] Naa Gbewaa's shrine is located at Pusiga, 90 km east of Bolgatanga.[5][6] His descendants continue to pay respects at the shrine.[7]

Lineage

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Naa Gbewaa fathered the following children:[8][9][10][11][12]

  • Yemtori (Yennenga), beloved daughter, travelled northward and married Rialle. Their son, Ouedraogo founded the Mossi Kingdoms.
  • Gundo Naa Kachaɣu, the eldest child of Naa Gbewa, became the first Gundo Naa. The Gundo Naa title is reserved for only females.
  • Naa Ʒirli (Zirile), the eldest son of Naa Gbewaa. Younger to Gundo-Naa Kachaɣu.
  • Fɔɣu (Kufɔɣu), chosen successor of Naa Gbewaa.
  • Naa Shitɔbu, led majority Gbewaa children as Yaa Naa.
  • Gmamprugulana Tohigu (Tosugu), younger to Zirile and Kachaɣu, but older than Shitobu. Moved to Gambaga, ruled over a land that will become Gmamprugu.
  • Bimbila Naa Gmantambo, founded Nanung.
  • Salagalana Kayilkuna, ruled over Salaga.
  • Kuɣa Naa Subee Kpɛma.
  • Karaga Naa Beemoni, ruled over Karaga.
  • Sunson Naa Buɣyilgu, ruled over Sunsong.
  • Sanglana Subee Bila, ruled over Sang, in the Mion District of Eastern Dagbon.
  • Nyensung Yaambana.
  • Savelugu Naa Yenyoo, ruled over Savelugu.
  • Nanton Naa Baatanga, ruled over Nanton.
  • Yamolkaragalana Kayetuli, ruled over Yemokaraga.
  • Bohinsan Zugulana.
  • Zantanlana Yirigitundi, ruled over Zantaani in Western Dagbon, now under Tolon District.
  • Zoggolana Sungburi, ruled over Zoggu.
  • Nyingaa Ʒibie.
  • Kpuɣli Kungoo.

Split of Old Dagbon

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When Gbewaa grew old, he preferred Fɔɣu, who was not the eldest son, to be his successor. Zirile, the eldest son, learnt of his father's intentions, and went on to murder Fɔɣu.[13] When Gbewaa was informed about the death of his preferred successor, it did not take long for him to die. The historians of Dagbon, the Lunsi,[14] uses a euphemism, that, Gbewaa disappeared in to the ground.[15] When a King dies in Dagbon, Gmamprugu, and Nanung, euphemisms are used to announce their death.[16][17]

Kachaɣu, the eldest child, took on the regalia of Gbewaa and made herself Queen, but Zirile forced her to give it up.[18] Not much is recorded about Zirile by the Historians of Dagbon. After Zirile, most of the children, including Kachaɣu, followed Shitobu, and they maintained Dagbon as the name of the lands they ruled.[19] Tohagu, who shared the same mother as Zirile, ruled over a small portion of land in what will become Gmamprugu.[20] Kachaɣu became the first Gundo Naa, the most senior female royal title of Dagbon.[21] Yennenga (Yemtori) travelled northward and established the Mossi Kingdoms.[22] Gmantambo moved further south and founded Nanung.[23]

Eldest kingdom

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Although Dagbon is largely recognized as the oldest kingdom in Ghana,[24][25] many regard Mamprugu too to be equally old.[26] Both Shitobu and Tohagu were not the oldest of Gbewaa's sons.[18] Kachaɣu, Zirile and Kufogu were older than these two brothers.[20]

Most of the children of Gbewaa including his eldest child Kachaɣu (female) took Shitobu as the leader of the post-Gbewaa Dagbon.[27] Kachaɣu became the first Gundo Naa. Shitobu retained the royal regalia of Gbewaa,[28] his kingdom continued to bear the name Dagbon,[29] maintained the Lion of Gbewaa[30] as emblem, and today, the ruler of Dagbon resides in the Gbewaa Palace.[31] Shitobu's tomb is located in Karaga guarded by the Tindana of Baɣli.[32]

The Mamprusi claim to eldership is based on male-preferred/cognatic Primogeniture, where succession is through the oldest male child. However, Gbewaa did not practise this, as he designated the younger Foɣu/Kufoɣu[33] to rule over his oldest child Kachaɣu and his eldest son Zirile.[13][14][15] The Mamprusi adopted the elephant as its symbol.[34]

Today, both Dagbon and mamprugu uses a succession by competition rather than primogeniture.

Eponyms

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References

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  1. ^ Lipschutz & Rasmussen 1989, p. 168.
  2. ^ Ade Ajayi & Crowder 1976, p. 417.
  3. ^ "The forgotten kingdom". africasacountry.com. 2015-04-13. Retrieved 2023-10-20.
  4. ^ "Origin of Mossi-Dagomba States" (PDF). PDF Proc.
  5. ^ "Naa Gbewaa Shrine – GACL". Gacl. Retrieved 2023-10-20.
  6. ^ "The Naa Gbewaa Shrine". Gbc Ghana Online. 2021-03-19. Retrieved 2023-10-20.
  7. ^ "Naa Gbewaa Shrine – GACL". Gacl. Retrieved 2023-09-16.
  8. ^ "Naa Gbewaa children". adrummerstestament.com. Retrieved 2023-05-21.
  9. ^ "The History Of Mole Dagbon State • Dagbon Kingdom: Your Gateway to the Best of Culture, History & Tourism". Dagbon Kingdom. 2021-09-04. Retrieved 2023-05-21.
  10. ^ "The forgotten kingdom". africasacountry.com. 2015-04-13. Retrieved 2023-10-20.
  11. ^ History, The African (2022-04-08). "Kingdom of Dagbon: founded in Ghana by the Red Hunter Tohazee in 11th Century". The African History. Retrieved 2023-10-20.
  12. ^ "THE GHANAIAN HIGH SCHOOL CULTURAL FESTIVAL OF NORTHERN GHANA IN PICTURES". Mum Cee. 2014-06-30. Retrieved 2023-10-20.
  13. ^ a b "After the death of Naa Gbewaah; the power struggle between Zirli & Kufogu". Sanatu Zambang. 2020-01-06. Retrieved 2024-03-28.
  14. ^ a b Abdallah, Zablong Zakariah; Locke, David (2010). "The Lunsi (drummers) of Dagbon: tradition and change". Research Review (21). ISSN 0855-4412.
  15. ^ a b "About the Dagomba – Dagomba Dance Drumming". Tufts sites. Retrieved 2023-10-21.
  16. ^ "The Lions of Dagbon: Political Change in Northern Ghana" (PDF). Ethernet.
  17. ^ "Burial and Enskinment by Seton Nicholas". Documenting Ghana. 2018-10-18. Retrieved 2023-10-21.
  18. ^ a b "PEACE EDUCATION AS CORRELATE OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN NANUMBA NORTH (Bimbilla) DISTRICT IN NORTHERN REGION OF GHANA" (PDF).
  19. ^ "History and origin of Gushegu". GhanaWeb. 2020-10-14. Retrieved 2023-10-21.
  20. ^ a b Ratat, Lelrey (2023-04-13). "Brief History of the Dagbon (Dagbaŋ) people of Ghana". GH Info Site. Retrieved 2023-10-21.
  21. ^ "The inescapability of local traditions in women's peace roles in Dagbon – The Nordic Africa Institute". nai.uu.se. Retrieved 2023-10-21.
  22. ^ "The Story of the Princess Yennenga". Yennenga Progress. Retrieved 2023-10-21.
  23. ^ "SUCCESSION AND DEMOCRACY IN NANUŊ, NORTHERN GHANA" (PDF).
  24. ^ alm (2022-04-21). "KINGDOM OF DAGBON: One of Ghana's Oldest and Best-organized Traditional Kingdoms (11th Century - )". Africa Leaders Magazine. Retrieved 2024-03-28.
  25. ^ Bureau, Editorial (2022-01-18). "Dagbon Kingdom – Kennedy intends to play a vital role in Dagbon". British Herald. Retrieved 2024-03-28. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  26. ^ "Mamprusi People; Eldest of the Mole-Dagbani Ethnic Group". Sanatu Zambang. 2020-01-06. Retrieved 2024-03-28.
  27. ^ "History and origin of Gushegu". GhanaWeb. 2020-10-14. Retrieved 2024-03-28.
  28. ^ Malik (2021-09-04). "The History Of Mole Dagbon State • Dagbon Kingdom: Your Gateway to the Best of Culture, History & Tourism". Retrieved 2024-03-28.
  29. ^ "Dagbon King Is Crowned". DailyGuide Network. 2019-01-26. Retrieved 2024-03-28.
  30. ^ admin (2021-10-05). "Lion emblem is preserve of Yaa-Naa". Ghanaian Times. Retrieved 2024-03-28.
  31. ^ "The Gbewaa Palace – Identity of Dagbon Kingdom".
  32. ^ "Time for dagbon to develop historical and tourism sites – Mumuni Yunus".
  33. ^ Wundengba, Charles (2018-10-16). "What You Must Know About the Mamprusi People, Eldest of the Mole-Dagbani Ethnic Group". Northernghana.net. Retrieved 2024-03-28.
  34. ^ "The Nayiri Palace is the traditional seat of the Overlord of the Mamprugu Traditional Area".
  35. ^ "NORTHERN REGIONAL MINISTER EXPRESSED GRATITUDE TO THE PRESIDENT FOR THE NAA GBEWAA INTERCHANGE – NRCC". northernrcc.gov.gh. Retrieved 2023-10-24.
  36. ^ "Disaster looms at Gbewaa residential; residents alert authorities about shoddy work of contractor ahead rainy season". Zaa Radio 99.3 FM. 2022-04-12. Retrieved 2023-10-24.
  37. ^ "Ya Na Cuts Sod For New Gbewa Palace Project". DailyGuide Network. 2023-03-06. Retrieved 2023-10-24.
  38. ^ "Naa- Gbeewa Junior High School, Bawku details". Course Ghana.
  39. ^ "Gbewaa College of Education Admission Requirements 2023/2024". GH Students. 2023-01-05. Retrieved 2023-10-24.
  40. ^ "All affected roads will be reconstructed" – Roads Minister assures people of Greater Tamale – Ministry of Roads & Highways". Ministry of Roads & Highways. Retrieved 2023-10-24.
  41. ^ Dogbevi, Emmanuel (2012-07-31). "Ghana Navy receives two ships to augment fleet". Ghana Business News. Retrieved 2023-10-24.
  42. ^ "Gbewaa Petrochemicals". Zaatu. 2022-02-18. Retrieved 2023-10-24.
  43. ^ "Gbewaa CEO Clashes With Martin Amidu Over Judgment Debt Defamation Suit". Peacefmonline.com – Ghana news. Retrieved 2023-10-24.
  44. ^ Wundengba, Daniel (2021-08-07). "All You Need To Know About Tamale Senior High School, Tamasco". Northernghana.net. Retrieved 2023-10-24.
  • Lipschutz, Mark R.; Rasmussen, R. Kent (1989). "Na Gbewa". Dictionary of African historical biography (2nd ed.). University of California Press. ISBN 978-0-520-06611-3.
  • Ade Ajayi, J. F.; Crowder, Michael (1976). History of West Africa. Vol. 1 (2nd ed.). Columbia University Press. ISBN 978-0-231-04103-4.

Further reading

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  • St. John-Parsons, D. (1958). "Na-Gbewa and His Sons". Legends of Northern Ghana. Longmans, Green.
  • Ogot, Bethwell A. (1992). "From the Niger to the Volta". Africa from the sixteenth to the eighteenth century. General history of Africa. Vol. 5. UNESCO. pp. 339–340. ISBN 978-92-3-101711-7.
  • Levtzion, Nehemia. "The Western Mahgrib and Sudan". In Fage, J. D.; Oliver, Roland (eds.). The Cambridge history of Africa. Vol. 3. Cambridge University Press. p. 460. ISBN 978-0-521-20981-6.
  • Illiasu, A. A. (1971). "The Origins of the Mossi-Dagomba States" (PDF). Institute of African Studies: Research Review. 7 (2): 95–113.
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