Info For Y'all Bimoba People: Hilly Habitation Small-Scale W African Warrior Tribe Amongst Powerful Initiation Cults
The Bimoba people also known historically as as the Bimawba, B`Moba, Moba, Moare, as well as Moab, are Gur-speaking (Gurma) cluster of peoples living inwards upper due west as well as northern regions Ghana; as well as inwards the due west of Sansanne-Mongo as well as inwards the mountainous zone of the Dapango (Dapaong) part inwards northern Togo. They consider themselves as truly, "The People of Yennu (Creator/Supreme God)." They are less developed as well as less organised than mainstream Ghanaian ethnic groups as well as the surrounding tribes such as Mamprusi, Kusasi, or Dagomba’s. The Bimoba are noted for staying on hilly lands as well as high ground, sometimes with huge stone outcrops.
Bimoba traditional dancers from Bunkpurugu,Ghana.
The Bimoba are mystical people as well as wields 1 of the rigid spiritual charms alongside the tribes inwards the Northern territories of Republic of Ghana as well as Togo. It is believed that their reliance on their traditional African spiritual hole-and-corner charms has been the footing of their survival as a little tribe sandwiched betwixt powerful as well as larger ethnic groups. You underestimate a Bimoba at your ain peril, for a Bimoba (boy or girl) is spiritually bathed from infancy as well as initiated into diverse hole-and-corner cults of their civilization before adulthood.
Bimoba girls
From Nakpanduri to Bunkpurugu, Bimoba have got sought to settle inwards elevated lands, maybe to spot enemies advancing from a distance, or for some other reason. This preference for elevated Earth appears to have got acquire business office of their social fibre, as well as to interpret as self-esteem or self-respect.
Location
Part inwards Upper East as well as business office inwards Northern Region. The edge with Togo dates from the Anglo-French Convention of 1898 which divided Bimoba inwards two; on the due west side is a strip virtually 20 km broad from Warinyanga inwards the northward to Tambiing inwards the south. This directly covers parts of Tempane-Garu, Gambaga, as well as Bunkpurugu-Yunyoo Districts. The repose of the Mɔab people endure inwards Togo, E of the border, Dapaong i.e Sansanne mango region.
Bimoba village
Demography as well as settlement
There is no exact figure of the size of the Bimoba Tribe. Most of the written sources guess the full population of the Bimoba some 300.000. The Bimoba clans are spread throughout the upper due west of Togo, the Upper East Region as well as the north-eastern tip of the Northern Region of Ghana. Below is population distribution tabular array of the Bimoba:
POPULATION
Table 1 BIMOBA – COMPARED BY YEAR
1960 Census | PLR 1984 estimate | 2000 Census | Ethnologue ’04 estimate | Josh P 2006 estimate | |
3 N Regions | |||||
7 S Regions | |||||
GHANA Total | 60,200 | 113,130 | 120,000 | 98,090 |
Table 2 BIMOBA – COMPARED BY REGION (2000 CENSUS) Table 7 (pp 18-23)
3 Northern regions | |||
Upper East | Upper West | Northern | NORTH TOTAL |
23,946 | 183 | 49,013 | 73,142 |
7 Southern regions | |||
Western | Central | Greater Accra | Volta |
4,303 | 675 | 2,100 | 836 |
Eastern | Ashanti | Brong Ahafo | SOUTH TOTAL |
1,525 | 15,462 | 15,087 | 39,988 |
GHANA Total | 113,130 | ||
35% of Bimoba endure exterior Northern as well as Upper East Regions
The Bimoba people are living inwards seat unit of measurement compounds. Although extended seat unit of measurement as well as clan are the main footing for social setting, most of the Bimoba are living inwards a semi-nuclear seat unit of measurement chemical compound nether guidance of an adult human being (the landlord). On average a chemical compound is inhabited yesteryear fifteen persons, but the largest chemical compound had 214 inhabitants, the smallest only one.
Bimoba hut
There is 1 hut for every adult (starting at the historic flow of thirteen). There are separate huts for the children who slumber together until they attain puberty. There is a hut for storing nutrient as well as a patra (ritual hut). All huts are linked yesteryear a wall. The wall as well as huts seal off the chemical compound from the exterior world. In front end of the compound, some huts are placed for the animals as well as birds. Kitchens are placed inwards the centre of the compound, 1 for each women living on the chemical compound as well as some times a mutual kitchen for brewing bear. Some corners betwixt the huts are separated yesteryear a little wall as well as used as a shower.
Bimoba compound
Language
Bimoba girl,in Nakpanduri,Ghana
The linguistic communication has been described inwards the mid-sixties. Some missionaries wrote a linguistic communication course, but Moar is yet mainly an oral language. Recently some schoolbooks have got been written to instruct the language. There are ii books inwards Moar: 1 private publication yesteryear the Canadian missionary guild containing some clan stories (not dated, but most probable some 1990) as well as The Bimoba Bible (new will only) published inwards 1986.
History/Origins
The root of the Bimoba people is non clear. According to oral history the Bimoba originate from the E as well as the due west of Africa. The Moba, closely related to the Bimoba, migrated from western Sudan to the due west of Africa through the Benue River basin and it is clear that some clans of the Bimoba (the Naniik, Kpikpira as well as Nabakib clans) were sub-groups of the Moba. There is no clear indication when the Moba or Bimoba really came to the west, but oral history claims that they did so inwards the aftermath of fights at the terminate of the Shilluk reign, 1500 AD. They all settled along the route from Sudan to Ghana. The Bimoba settled at the terminate of the draw as well as claim that they have got migrated from the Sudan separately. They seem to originate from nomad traders.
Some other clans (Tambiouk, Maab, Bakpang as well as Tont) came, according to oral history, from the surface area that is presently known as due south Togo as well as the Southern regions of Republic of Ghana (Ashanti en Dagomba land).
According to Fuzzy (1979), the Mobas migrated due south from Feda Ngourma inwards Burkina Faso towards the terminate of the 17th century, as well as so they were driven northward yesteryear the Mamprusis as well as Dagombas using Chokosi mercenaries, to the business office of the Earth that they directly inhabit. They mingled with Bems as well as groups of Mamprusis as well as Konkombas to cast the Bimoba people.
Assimeng (1990) states that the Bimoba comprising iii dissimilar clan groups, all deriving from the same stock – Bem, MÉ”ba, as well as Dagbaan – migrated southward from Nung inwards what is directly Burkina Faso, but he also describes other possibilities. At the fourth dimension they were effectively occupying their nowadays homeland, as well as the British as well as Germans were extending their spheres of influence. The Bimoba were inwards the "neutral zone" established yesteryear the colonial powers inwards 1888; the Anglo-German convention of 1899 finally drew the international edge to the due west of their territory, placing the MÉ”ab nether High German rule. However after World War I United Kingdom of Great Britain as well as Northern Ireland as well as French Republic divided quondam High German Togo betwixt them, as well as established the nowadays edge which divides MÉ”akuni betwixt Republic of Ghana as well as Togo.
All written sources are clear virtually the fact that the Bimoba tribe is a combination of dissimilar smaller groups, although the combination of clans is dissimilar inwards each as well as every source (Bims, Moba as well as Daggams or Moba, Basaalis, Gurmas, as well as Kokombas).
Kpeebi suggests some other theory: that when the MÉ”ab were split into French as well as British territories those inwards the British territory were called British MÉ”ba or “B” MÉ”ba, hence the cast of the give-and-take Bimoba inwards Ghana. This version seems to have got some plausibility because inwards Togo where Bem are inwards the bulk they are yet known as MÉ”ba whereas only inwards Republic of Ghana are they called Bimoba.
The colonial draw of piece of work brought to an terminate the fighting betwixt the Bimoba as well as the Chokosi or Anufo.
Bimoba people inwards Dapaong,Togo
Although the Moba have got some cast of tribe structure, at that topographic point is no such construction inwards the Bimoba group. They belong to the acephalous tribes. In contrast with the surrounding tribes (Mamprusi (south), Kusasi (west), as well as Moshi (north) as well as Chekosi (east)), at that topographic point are no kings, chiefs or large men amid the Bimoba. History varies from clan to clan. The only mutual history they portion is the history of their starting fourth dimension chief, Turiŋme. Although Turiŋme is connected to only iv clans, all clans have got the story of his migration as the starting fourth dimension fact of Bimoba history.
When they settled inwards East Republic of Ghana as well as West Togo, they occupied the to the lowest degree fertile as well as most remote parts of this region, mainly inwards the surface area they yet endure in. This indicates that they were non able or did non wish to competition the existing kingdoms at large. As a resultant of this the Bimoba are a grouping with limited power. Up till directly only a few Bimoba men from the to a greater extent than developed surface area of Nakpanduri (Northern Region) have got entered the regime at a senior level.
As inwards many cases, it is arguable whether the Bimoba tribe genuinely exists. Many times people cast a grouping (with its ain history as well as habits) out of political reasons. The same could endure the illustration with the Bimoba. We regard the Bimoba as an ethnic grouping with important tribe elements, because the grouping is a good known, although non good documented, grouping of people, genealogic analysis shows clear bear witness for endogamic relations within the group, the construction of the clans cast an of import as well as leading chemical component inwards the social organisation of the group, as well as the people regard themselves as Bimoba as well as refer to the Bimoba as their tribe.
Bimoba (Moba) hamlet inwards Dapaong,Togo.
Economy
The Bimoba inwards the Upper East part are almost all subsistence agriculturists. Only a little percent of the population is involved inwards fiddling commodity or informal merchandise activities. Every seat unit of measurement farms predominantly for its ain utilization as well as survival. The estimated average income is below the international measure of 1 dollar per twenty-four hours (poverty scale United Nations).
Investments inwards tools or machines are rare. The average farmland that is used yesteryear 1 seat unit of measurement is virtually 10 acres, but the actual size of the possessed Earth varies considerably. Most of the families ain Earth some the chemical compound as well as acres farther away. Many times the Earth is hired out to other Bimoba (as business office of the Nnoboa).
There is 1 sowing flavour with ii harvesting periods. During the sowing season, May - June, millet (early as well as normal millet), circular beans, maize, corn, as well as groundnuts are sowed. Apart from these grain varieties, tomatoes, greenish pepper, as well as cotton fiber are produced on a smaller scale. Harvesting of early on millet is as early on as July; the other products are harvested inwards belatedly September as well as October.
The full farming is done yesteryear hand. In the whole Bimoba region, no tractor was found during our visits, but according to local informers, 1 tractor is available, owned yesteryear a Mamprusi large man. Some 40% of the farmers brand utilization of bull oxes for the ploughing of the land. The others plow yesteryear hand. The ploughing with bull oxes is done yesteryear men, the paw ploughing is every bit divided betwixt men as well as women. Sowing is almost solely done yesteryear women.
Fertilizers are used, but non yesteryear all farmers. Many farmers lack the coin to invest inwards fertilizers as well as insecticides. Bad harvests are mutual as well as famine occurs inwards some parts of our query surface area too. In years of famine, many farmers lack the coin for clothing, schooling as well as healthcare. They are precisely surviving.
The actual province of affairs does non differ a lot from the province of affairs some 50 years ago. In her written report "Tribes of the Northern Territories of the Gold Coast” Manoukian describes the farming northward of the escarpment as well as closely mimics the nowadays situation.
Bimoba people on a boat,Garu-Tempane,Ghana. Courtesy:livinginghana
Education
Illiteracy is yet real high amid the Bimoba inwards the Upper-East. Many children make non attend schoolhouse regularly because farming is to a greater extent than of import as well as that most children prefer working on the Earth instead of going to school.
Bimoba kids, Nakpanduri,Ghana
Apart from this, most seat unit of measurement often lack the coin to pay for the schoolhouse uniform as well as the schoolhouse fee.
Education at senior secondary plane or higher is available inwards Tempane or Bawku. Garu, the nearest fundamental marketplace village, has some little schools for vocational training, but only a few Bimoba move there. Most schools are established as well as run yesteryear the government. There is no monthly schoolhouse fee for primary schools, but at that topographic point is a monthly fee for secondary schools.
The Bimoba are proud people with self-esteem. This self-esteem is vividly implied inwards a pop Bimoba adage: SamÉ” ki bant diboori sab, which translates “A stranger cannot recognize seed millet or TZ (tuo zaafi)”, pregnant that a host would utilization the in conclusion fleck of seed-grain inwards the barn to prepare a repast for a stranger, rather than allow him to move hungry. The stranger would non know that the repast is using upward the in conclusion of his host’s seed grain. This form of obligation is yet real much endure fifty-fifty alongside the poorest families today.
Bimoba (Moba) fisherman throwing internet at Dapaong
There is a kayayee (portering) phenomenon amid some ethnic groups inwards northern Republic of Ghana where immature girls migrate from the villages to the cities to move as porters. However you lot would you lot never consider a Bimoba daughter existence involved inwards kayayee. In the same way, Bimoba boys formerly preferred move inwards cocoa plantations to portering. They would never consider a project of pounding fufu inwards a restaurant, for example. Neither would they opt to endure a paid conservancy labourer fifty-fifty inwards the most extreme circumstances.
Bimoba daughter holding a baby. By arnaud-p
Kinship
As stated before, the Bimoba make non have got an integrated tribe structure. There is no paramount principal or Bimoba king. The full grouping consists of to a greater extent than than 20 dissimilar clans. Each clan has its ain geographical focal dot throughout the Bimoba region.
Bimoba people,Garu-Tempane,Ghana. courtesy: livinginghana
Table 1 gives the full clan as well as clan grouping construction of the Bimoba.
Table 1. CLANS OF THE BIMOBA
Bimoba tin can only espouse exterior their clan. Marrying exterior the tribe is permitted, but rarely seen. By marrying, the married adult woman is accepted to the clan of the man. She than regards herself as well as her kin as fellow member of her husbands clan. If the hubby dies, the widow tin can re-marry, but yesteryear doing so she powerfulness unloose all her rights of possession as well as custody. Only when she remarries within the clan or clan grouping of her belatedly husband, she volition remain inwards her right.
Bimoba people. By Hawa Kombian
Polygamy is wide-spread. Bimoba men tin can select upward to iv women, depending on their fiscal means. Bimoba nuclear families are yet large. The average issue of deliveries inwards post-menopausal women is eigh.
Bimoba are patrifocal as well as therefore, children e'er remain nether custody of the father. Many women make have got their starting fourth dimension delivery before their official matrimony as well as many of them with some other human being than their time to come husband. Casual sexual practice before matrimony is mutual as well as the children born out of these contacts are non frowned upon. The children are normally raised yesteryear the woman parent although at whatever fourth dimension the begetter tin can demand that his kid returns to his custody.
The move on the chemical compound as well as at the farm is divided betwixt men as well as women equally. The women on the chemical compound carve upward their move betwixt each other. If some of the women are farming or gone to the market, the other women of the chemical compound select attention of the children, including (breast) feeding. All members of the family, including the children, are business office of the chemical compound labour force, specially during ploughing, seeding, as well as harvesting time.
Inheritance
Bimoba (Moba) woman. By arnaud-p
Political province of affairs as well as power
The Bimoba Tribe is 1 of the smallest ethnic groups inwards Ghana. Being only 0.6 % of the nations population as well as having no principal or kingdom, they lack whatever formal power. However, the Bimoba has some modest tribal chief. The Bimoba paramount principal has his pare at Bunkpurugu. However he is appointed yesteryear the paramount principal of the Mamprusi who is based at Nalerigu Up to the 1960s each hamlet had to shipping labourers to move on the Mamprusi paramount chief's farm at Nalerigu 1 time a year, but this is no longer done.
Bimoba Chief of Nakpanduri,Ghana, David Kansok. He is nether Nayiiri.
The regional chieftainship of the Northern Region caused recurring tribal wars inwards the in conclusion century. Several wars were fought betwixt the Konkombas as well as the Bimoba. These wars have got costed thousands of lives. The master sporadic fighting has acquire to a greater extent than frequent, to a greater extent than intense as well as wider inwards orbit since the 1980s as well as the devastation of life as well as holding to a greater extent than widespread. By official counts, the Konkomba-Bimoba wars of 1984, 1986, as well as 1989 left threescore people dead, with several hundreds displaced. This tribal contend was business office of a larger serial of tribal fights. Most of these wars were fought inwards the Northern Region (the Gonja-Nawuri War of 1992; the Konkomba as well as allies against the Gonjas inwards 1992; the Konkombas as well as Mossis inwards 1993. Finally, the 1994/95 Republic of Guinea Fowl state of war inwards which modern weapons were widely used, resulted inwards at to the lowest degree 2,000 people killed, 200,000 internally displaced as well as 441 villages completely destroyed. These fights were mainly induced yesteryear the introduction of a district council as well as the changing political construction (the ability of the traditional leaders weakened). Clashes are rare directly but the Bimoba - Konkomba human relationship is yet a thing of concern.
Bimoba people. By arnaud-p
The Bimoba of the Upper East part escaped most of these atrocities but seem to endure to a greater extent than as well as to a greater extent than aware of their province of affairs nowadays. Some are interested inwards the chieftainship, but did non reclaim it yet. At nowadays the Bimoba are living inwards relative peace with the surrounding ethnic groups as well as make non pay a lot of attending to the relative powerless chiefs of the region.
Religion
Yennu is the God of all Bimoba. Yennu is a complex referring to all dissimilar elements of the ability of God.
Bimoba/Moba headress for spiritual initiation/shrine worship,19th-20th century.Togo.
Courtesy:The Bryce Holcombe Collection of African Decorative Art, Gift of Bryce Holcombe, 1983
Traditions as well as rites of passage
Bimoba has a few tribal festivals as well as rites, most of them existence rites of passage. The Festival of Danjuor, where the history of Turiŋme is told as well as the coming of Turiŋme to the part is celebrated. This used to be the biggest as well as most colourful festival of the Bimoba.
Bimoba traditional dancers from Dapaong,Togo at Danjuor festival. By arnaud-p
It had non been held for some decades, but inwards Jan 2004 the festival was reintroduced. The Danjuor festival includes music, dance, as well as one-day coming together of all Bimoba. The Danjuor festival of 2004 was visited yesteryear over 2500 people.
Bimoba traditional Dancers from Dapaong,Togo at Danjuor festival. By arnaud-p
In the Bimoba tribe iv rites of passage are of dandy importance: the Koant, (a linguistic communication class or shout out giving process), the Ba Wanu (a ritual to constitute Jaba’s), the wedding, as well as the funeral.
Bimoba traditional dancers from Bunkprugu, By Hawa Kombian
Koant
In the Koant ritual a hole-and-corner linguistic communication is learned as well as a novel shout out is given to a fellow member of the tribe undergoing the ritual. Each fellow member of the Bimoba has dissimilar names. Apart from the starting fourth dimension as well as seat unit of measurement name, many have got a Christian or Muslim name, mostly used when going to schoolhouse or going “Kumasi”(far away). Besides these names Bimoba tin can obtain a ritual Bimoba name.
Bimoba man child from Dapaong Togo
These names (Konjit, Konduuk, Dinwaak as well as Tanjon for women, Duut, Laar, Kombat, Lambon, Konlan as well as Bombom for man) are given to them during a lengthy initiation process. This ritual is regarded to endure holy as well as secret. Unlike other tribes, whatever Bimoba, human being or woman, tin can asking a Koant. The ritual is non compulsory as well as nowadays hardly performed, but yet many initiated (Koantjies) are living inwards the area. Before entering the Koant process, the Konatji (the 1 undergoing the Koant) requests permission of the most senior Koant-member. After consulting the parents of the Koantji, the appointment of entering is fixed. The whole Koant procedure takes iii months for men as well as iv months for women. It gives the Koantjie a highly regarded status as well as the possibility to verbalise with other Koantjies inwards their own, hole-and-corner language.
Bimoba initiated Koant man, Hon Emmanuel Kwame Duut,Member of Parliament for:
Ba Wanu
The Ba Wanu initiation, which most Bimoba nether go, establishes whether you lot are a Jaba (sub seer) or not. The initiation takes 12 hours or fifty-fifty more. The Ba Wanu initiation is requested yesteryear a person’s Miar (which literally way olfactory organ but really way a man’s spirit).
Bimoba(Moba) headdress (Gourd, horn, string, cowrie shells) for initiation.19th-20th century,Togo.
Courtesy:The Michael C. Rockefeller Memorial Collection, Bequest of Nelson A. Rockefeller, 1979
Usually this happens when uncommon things move on to life similar death, drought, or heavy flooding. There is no fixed historic flow for married males to undergo the Ba Wanu initiation and, although it is possible to make the Ba Wanu at whatever historic flow if you lot are non married, the vast bulk of the single men make non undergo the Ba Wanu nether the historic flow of forty. Women make non undergo the initiation if they are non married as well as if married they only make the Ba Wanu at the historic flow of forty-five. The actual initiation is normally done yesteryear a Jaba, selected yesteryear some other Jaba. The complicating factor is, that if a incorrect Jaba is chosen to perform the initiation, the mortal initiated tin can either choke or move mad.
Bimoba (Moba) man
The possessor of the Miar is made to faint for some time. In this flow of unconsciousness the human being tin can consider whether he is a Jaba or not. If he is a Jaba, he volition consider ii dwarfs (a human being as well as a woman) on the rooftop of the nakouk. The attendees of the ritual volition hear to his recollections after he comes dorsum to his senses. If the attendees are satisfied with the answer (in fact the correct description of the dwarfs on top of the nakouk) they tin can create upward one's hear that the human being is a Jaba. This implies that every Jaba has undergone the Ba Wanu initiation, but non every mortal who has undergone the Ba Wanu initiation is a Jaba. The mortal known to endure a Jaba is as well as so trained yesteryear an older Jaba. This preparation includes the interpretation of the message from the dwarfs to the people who come upward to him for consultation.
Moba women inwards Dapaong,Togo. By arnaud-p
Women make non undergo this fainting procedure but they tin can endure a Jaba if their miar wish them to be. There are only a few woman mortal Jabas inwards the bimoba community. Although woman mortal Jabas tin can non perform the ba wanu for some other person, they tin can advise other people.
Moba adult woman from Togo village. By Kevin O'Hara
Marriage
The Bimoba regard matrimony to endure an of import ritual, but the actual hymeneals is of extremely depression profile. The master ritual (Pochianu) has faded out almost completely. Nowadays the broom seeks the permission of the begetter of his married adult woman to be. This permission is obtained yesteryear intermediaries. Up till directly at that topographic point is no fixed bride price, as well as only little gifts are shipping to the begetter after understanding (cola nuts, guinea fowl, some local gin). The hymeneals ritual itself is performed yesteryear a uncomplicated see to the parents of the bride. After this see the broom sends to a greater extent than cola nuts, tobacco, ii bottles of gin, a jerry tin can of local beer, as well as ii guinea fowls. Influenced yesteryear the Kusasi culture, an additional bride toll of iv cows is laid inwards most of the cases. This business office of the bride toll tin can endure delivered during the starting fourth dimension years of the marriage. Although non master Bimoba, this additional pricing has acquire widespread.
Bimoba women from Sansanne Mango,Togo. By arnaud-p
Reciprocal hymeneals arrangements are known, but directly fading out. There is no other ritual inwards the Bimoba
civilization inwards celebrating a wedding, but due to the introduction of world religions, some seek the approbation of the church. This is – due to the depression percent of Christians as well as Muslims - yet real rare.
Funerals
Funerals are the most of import social activity amid the Bimoba. Each funeral is visited yesteryear hundreds of people as well as the funerals are a social lawsuit instead of a pitiable gathering of mourners.
Most of the funerals consist of ii consecutive parts, the Kumian (Fresh Funeral) as well as the Kukoan (final funeral rite). Kumian as well as Kukoan are only performed for natural deaths. In cases of Kubir (bad death) a dissimilar ritual is performed.
Bimoba funeral. By Hawa Kombian
The funeral of a virile mortal Bimoba takes iii days, for a woman mortal it takes iv days. During the starting fourth dimension day, the funeral is announced inwards the early on morning time yesteryear firing carbide grenades, iii for a male, iv for a female. As presently as possible the corps is placed inwards a circular grave unopen to the compound, naked inwards a sitting (foetal) position. The grave is covered as well as the H2O bucket of the deceased is seat on the grave, broken into pieces, to grade the terminate of his life. At sunset some clans perform specific funeral rituals. The next ii or iii days the seat unit of measurement as well as unopen friends remain together to recall the deceased as well as are visited ofttimes yesteryear relatives as well as friends.
The Kukoan (final funeral rite) is performed some fourth dimension later, during the (next) dry out season. Again the social gathering of the clan as well as friends is the fundamental business office of the in conclusion rites. They are famous for the social side effects, i.e. sex, alcohol use, as well as dancing.
Bimoba seat unit of measurement performing traditional trip the low-cal fantastic during a funeral. By Hawa Kombian
As inwards most groups, rituals play a purpose inwards balancing guild (as good as faith does). In the Bimoba tribe ii rituals are of import inwards keeping that balance: The Koant (name giving) as well as the Bawa Nu (appointing of Jabas). Through the Koant, the adults have got learned a novel as well as hole-and-corner linguistic communication inwards which they tin can communicate amid each other at whatever fourth dimension as well as seat they want. This gives the grouping an elevated seat over the repose of the tribe who cannot empathise the language.
Bimoba dance
During the ritual of the Ba Wanu, the novel Jaba’s are selected. Although it is said that the Ba Wanu has to consider the dwarfs during his absences, the attendees of the ritual create upward one's hear whether the candidate saw the correct dwarfs or correct things. So inwards fact the clan (or at to the lowest degree those attending the Ba Wanu) decides who is a novel Jaba as well as consequently 1 of the novel informal leaders: if they make non wish a sure enough candidate, they tin can easily say that he precisely did non consider the correct things. This balancing ability is seen to a greater extent than often as well as is quite influential. It maintains the repose inwards the community without harassment of those who were rejected as existence a novel leader. In Africa this pattern is seen for instance inwards the Mwari Cult inwards Zimbabwe.
Moba people
Leadership as well as organization
In contrast to most of the surrounding tribes, the Bimoba don’t have got their ain principal or full general leader. As stated before, they belong to the acephalous tribes, tribes without rulers. The clan is regarded to endure the most of import organizational structure. Apart from this clan leadership, Bimoba have got the ruling of non-Bimoba chiefs. In our query area, 1 of the regional chiefs (the principal of Zariboko) is a Mamprusi as well as he is inwards accuse of the whole area, including the Bimoba living there. The Bawku naba (chief of the whole Bawku district) is a Kusasi.
Due to the strong clan construction as well as the close-knit clan network, the mutual assistance scheme is extremely strong. Due to this system, the Nnoboa, the Bimoba have got a norm of assisting the clan with the edifice of huts, farming, as well as sharing wealth.
Bimoba human being from Bunkprugu-yunyoo,Ghana
All the Earth inwards the FarFar surface area is owned yesteryear iii clan-families. The boundaries are based on seat unit of measurement history. The oldest human being of the clan is the caretaker of the Earth as well as decides who tin can endure or cultivate the dissimilar parts of the property.
Bimoba people,Savanna region,Togo.
Not all the Earth is cultivated yet, as well as non all the cultivated Earth is cultivated yesteryear the owner. Landowners portion uncultivated Earth with clan members as business office of the Nnoboa. This is done at no cost, but the Earth has to endure returned to the possessor when needed. Since the boundaries are only based on this oral understanding as well as only marked with little trees or crop, many conflicts occur.
Bimoba kids inwards Dapaong,Togo
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Bimoba/Moba tribal Shrine Art
In Moba communities of northeastern Republic of Ghana as well as northwestern Togo, diviners influence as well as straight the
commissioning, design, as well as ritual handling of sculptural forms created for several dissimilar kinds of domestic
shrines. Both the scale as well as the relatively abstract cast of this particular move propose that it was in all probability ownedby an extended seat unit of measurement or clan. It was associated with their origins as well as played a vital purpose inwards assuring their collective well-being.
Clan Shrine Figure (Tchitcheri Sakwa)
Moba, Togo
Wood; H. 135 cm (53 1/8 in.)
19th–20th century
The Horstmann Collection, Zug, Switzerland
In Moba society, when ancestral offerings neglect to furnish an private with desired relief, an globe oracle with an established reputation is consulted. In advising individuals, families, or clans, Moba diviners prescribe tchitcheri figures to fortify their clients as well as ameliorate their lives. Such works growth the efficacy of the ritual actions performed at shrines yesteryear calling forth positive ancestral influences. They are protective as well as promote wellness as well as prosperity on a arrive at of dissimilar levels. When a particular occupation disrupted an individual's life, diviners often recommended the add-on of a figurative move to that person's private altar. Similarly, problems of broader concern, such as diseased livestock, poor harvests, or infertility, often led diviners to prescribe that a larger move endure commissioned for a seat unit of measurement shrine.
Challenging an business organisation human relationship yesteryear Leo Frobenius from the turn of the century, which suggested that the possessor of such a move carved it him- or herself, Christine Mullen Kreamer determined that it was invariably made yesteryear a specialist. Although inwards Moba society, forest carving is a science that all may acquire, tchitcheri may endure fashioned only yesteryear individuals whose fathers are diviners. Carving tchitcheri is considered a fragile as well as highly unsafe operation, as well as diviners give their sons special protection needed for the creation of such ritually charged objects. Those who transgress this sanction are idea to adventure blindness or insanity.
Three dissimilar genres of tchitcheri may endure distinguished yesteryear their patronage, contextual placement, scale, and
plane of abstraction. The smallest of these, yendu tchitcheri, are placed inwards personal shrines, which all adults
possess. They make non stand upward for whatever particular mortal or ancestor but are considered an individual's straight link with God. Middle-size bawoong tchitcheri (between 25 as well as xc centimeters high) are designed for household shrines situated prominently inwards the anteroom of a seat unit of measurement compound. These figures stand upward for recent ancestors, such as the parents or grandparents of electrical flow chemical compound leaders (no to a greater extent than than iii or iv generations removed), whom the diviner advises the seat unit of measurement to petition. Because the figures fit to known ancestors, they are to a greater extent than detailed inwards representing bodily as well as facial features.
Tchitcheri sakwa figure
The move shown hither falls into the category of tchitcheri sakwa, which evoke as well as are named after a clan's founding member. The Moba are subsistence agriculturalists, as well as rituals are conducted before planting as well as harvest yesteryear the family's eldest virile mortal member, who applies libations to its sakwa commemorating the founding ancestor. Stylistically, sakwa autumn betwixt the extremely abbreviated, faceless, anonymous yendu as well as the to a greater extent than specifically identifiable bawoong portraits. These monumental works are prominently placed outside, inwards the household yard.
Although the features of a family's sakwa acquire abraded yesteryear the elements, it stands from 1 generation to the adjacent as an indelible marking of its spiritual life. No contemporary works of this form have got been commissioned, andoral history as well as the status of some surviving works propose that they may endure several centuries old.
Bimoba (Moba) Tchitcheri shrine figures on display
The highly standardized blueprint of tchitcheri reduces the human figure to an elemental form. Attenuated arms may either cast a single unit of measurement with the trunk or endure detached at thorax level. Minimal attending is given to facial features, details such as hands as well as feet are to a greater extent than often than non omitted, as well as only occasionally is gender suggested. This extremely reductive polelike figure is crowned yesteryear a rounded knoblike caput with a blank expression. The upper body forms a unified, continuous surface, with its arms held at its sides along the length of the torso. The trunk is represented as a recessed rectangle with raised nipples as well as umbilicus; at its base, it narrows as well as and so flares outward slightly tosuggest hips. Below, clothespinlike legs are carved as ii separate prongs that taper off into narrowed stems.
Despite an emphasis on bilateral symmetry, the figure leans real gently to 1 side. Throughout the weathered surface, abrasion as well as splits unwrap the effects wrought upon the move over time.
Moba people inwards a hamlet displaying the tchitcheri shrine figures.
source:http://www.metmuseum.org/explore/oracle/figures39.html
FACES OF BIMOBA/MOBA
Bimoba kids,Dapaong,Togo
Moba adult woman with traditional hairstyle.
Bimoba village,Dapaong,Togo
Moba people at Market
Moba daughter with chewing stick inwards her mouth.
Moba seat unit of measurement gathering
Moba woman
Bimoba man
Moba adult woman as well as baby
Photo source: By arnaud-p
Kinship
As stated before, the Bimoba make non have got an integrated tribe structure. There is no paramount principal or Bimoba king. The full grouping consists of to a greater extent than than 20 dissimilar clans. Each clan has its ain geographical focal dot throughout the Bimoba region.
Bimoba people,Garu-Tempane,Ghana. courtesy: livinginghana
Table 1 gives the full clan as well as clan grouping construction of the Bimoba.
Map 1. Bimoba area. (black square) as well as actual query surface area (white circle)
Table 1. CLANS OF THE BIMOBA
| CLAN GROUP OF BAAKPANG | |
| Baakpang | |
| Tont | |
| Nayalib | |
| CLAN GROUP OF TURINWE | |
| Nabagib | |
| Kpikpira | |
| Mauk | |
| Tanbiuung | |
| Naniig | |
| CLAN GROUP OF KANYAKIB | |
| Kanyakib | |
| Sisiak | |
| Miir | |
| Kollimasi | |
| INDIVIDUAL CLANS | |
| Kpanbolik | |
| Njaanu |
Bimoba people. By Hawa Kombian
Polygamy is wide-spread. Bimoba men tin can select upward to iv women, depending on their fiscal means. Bimoba nuclear families are yet large. The average issue of deliveries inwards post-menopausal women is eigh.
Bimoba are patrifocal as well as therefore, children e'er remain nether custody of the father. Many women make have got their starting fourth dimension delivery before their official matrimony as well as many of them with some other human being than their time to come husband. Casual sexual practice before matrimony is mutual as well as the children born out of these contacts are non frowned upon. The children are normally raised yesteryear the woman parent although at whatever fourth dimension the begetter tin can demand that his kid returns to his custody.
Inheritance
Inheritance is patrilineal. A man's children inherit most of his property, though his blood brother takes some things including his bow. If the children are young, the blood brother is responsible for them; if they inherit livestock from their father, the blood brother volition attention for the animals until the children are old enough.
Bimoba kids. By arnaud-p
Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 woman's brothers as well as patrilineal seat unit of measurement inherit all her possessions. If her hubby owes her anything he must settle the debt on the twenty-four hours she dies.
Widows traditionally espouse a blood brother of the deceased, or a relative of her hubby living inwards some other chemical compound as well as move to endure with that mortal after the funeral. In recent times, a widow with to a greater extent than than ii children may move on to endure inwards her belatedly husband’s solid for the children's sake, piece yet existence gratis to espouse the relative. Bimoba (Moba) woman. By arnaud-p
Political province of affairs as well as power
The Bimoba Tribe is 1 of the smallest ethnic groups inwards Ghana. Being only 0.6 % of the nations population as well as having no principal or kingdom, they lack whatever formal power. However, the Bimoba has some modest tribal chief. The Bimoba paramount principal has his pare at Bunkpurugu. However he is appointed yesteryear the paramount principal of the Mamprusi who is based at Nalerigu Up to the 1960s each hamlet had to shipping labourers to move on the Mamprusi paramount chief's farm at Nalerigu 1 time a year, but this is no longer done.
There is a chief, normally a man, inwards every village, appointed yesteryear the divisional principal or paramount principal as the illustration may be. When the pare becomes vacant it is contested yesteryear interested royals, but the divisional or paramount principal has the prerogative of choosing as well as appointing from amid the contestants.
Bimoba traditional dancers,Nakpanduri,Ghana
Bimoba traditional dancers,Nakpanduri,Ghana
The levels of chiefs, inwards ascending order, are: hamlet headman (kabonnab), hamlet chief, divisional chief, paramount chief. Each lower principal is dependent area to his superior, but the superior does non have got absolute command over the Earth of the other; suzerainty is non practical inwards MÉ”abting. Chiefs have got to endure consulted if 1 wants to brand a farm, but they are simply custodians, as well as make non ain the Earth – ownership is vested inwards seat unit of measurement heads. There are proficient inter-tribal relationships. Tribute was formerly seen as a bond for proficient relationships as well as loyalty, but has acquire a thing of the past.
The principal is assisted yesteryear a council of elders, who sit down on judicial cases. The chiefs are highly respected mediators betwixt the people as well as the government, but lack official power. Bimoba chiefs belong to the Northern Regional solid of chiefs.
The regional chieftainship of the Northern Region caused recurring tribal wars inwards the in conclusion century. Several wars were fought betwixt the Konkombas as well as the Bimoba. These wars have got costed thousands of lives. The master sporadic fighting has acquire to a greater extent than frequent, to a greater extent than intense as well as wider inwards orbit since the 1980s as well as the devastation of life as well as holding to a greater extent than widespread. By official counts, the Konkomba-Bimoba wars of 1984, 1986, as well as 1989 left threescore people dead, with several hundreds displaced. This tribal contend was business office of a larger serial of tribal fights. Most of these wars were fought inwards the Northern Region (the Gonja-Nawuri War of 1992; the Konkomba as well as allies against the Gonjas inwards 1992; the Konkombas as well as Mossis inwards 1993. Finally, the 1994/95 Republic of Guinea Fowl state of war inwards which modern weapons were widely used, resulted inwards at to the lowest degree 2,000 people killed, 200,000 internally displaced as well as 441 villages completely destroyed. These fights were mainly induced yesteryear the introduction of a district council as well as the changing political construction (the ability of the traditional leaders weakened). Clashes are rare directly but the Bimoba - Konkomba human relationship is yet a thing of concern.
The Bimoba of the Upper East part escaped most of these atrocities but seem to endure to a greater extent than as well as to a greater extent than aware of their province of affairs nowadays. Some are interested inwards the chieftainship, but did non reclaim it yet. At nowadays the Bimoba are living inwards relative peace with the surrounding ethnic groups as well as make non pay a lot of attending to the relative powerless chiefs of the region.
Religion
Yennu is the God of all Bimoba. Yennu is a complex referring to all dissimilar elements of the ability of God.
Yennu, is the shout out for the supreme God as well as creator, as well as the Mɔab believe that whatever Yennu does, no 1 tin can undo it, but no sacrifices are made to him*. It is believed that if you lot make incorrect he volition jurist as well as punish you lot after death.
The same word yennu is used inwards ii other ways:
Many people grip that “Yennu” is also a modest deity, the god of birth, to whom women brand intercession for a child. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 formula believed to endure infallible is to lay a calabash of water, or a decoction of herbs, on his shrine. The adult woman returns as well as drinks it adjacent day, after which she must remain at seat as well as verbalise to no 1 but her hubby for 6 days.
Moba people, Dapaong,Togo. By arnaud-p
Moba people, Dapaong,Togo. By arnaud-p
During whatever sacrifice where lesser gods are named, the priest or elderberry starting fourth dimension mentions Yennu = God, through whom the lesser gods derive their powers. (In this chapter nosotros utilization Yennu with a majuscule alphabetic lineament to betoken both God as well as the shout out of the modest deity, though they have got no connection.)
Thirdly, yennu means sun, day, as well as personal god. Sacrifices of goats, fowls, as well as sheep are made to him.
The god Bogri has ability to cure disease, as well as many sacrifices are made to him. He protects as well as avenges all his people. It is believed that affliction is caused yesteryear the anger of the gods, or yesteryear witchcraft, as well as an epidemic is attributed to the gods. Therefore, when an epidemic breaks out, fires are burnt as well as ceremonial dances performed on the paths to unaffected villages, that the evil may endure halted. Patients are isolated, as well as all drumming, drinking, as well as fighting are forbidden. The same applies to a threatened laid on inwards war. (KF)
Ancestors Each hamlet has its ain grove, which consists of a band of shady trees, which may endure surrounded yesteryear a dry-built wall of stone encircling an upright stone inwards the centre. The heads of enemies are deposited here, as well as all hamlet ceremonies are held here. The ancestors are believed to avert damage from the community, as well as people convey pots of beer to the shrines.
All Bimoba clans have got their earth-shrines, tingbaan, for instance Jabiir as well as Baajar, both located inwards Togo; such shrines may endure a pile of stones or a tree, situated anywhere. Annual ceremonies are characterised yesteryear sacrifice of animals as well as fowls, feasts, as well as merry-making. Clan members inwards the diaspora may come upward seat during these ceremonies to reinforce their unity as a clan.
A kid inwards Moba shrine,Togo. By maremagna
There are also shrines of seat unit of measurement gods, patir, mud effigies normally inwards human form, kept inwards the naakuuk.
The patir shrine is served yesteryear the family’s jamatoo., that is, the oldest mortal inwards terms of generation. Most families have got their own jamatoo, though the Look people have got only 1 for the whole clan. When jamatoo dies he is succeeded yesteryear the adjacent oldest inwards his generation.
Jamatoo sacrifices at his patir shrine to purify those who have got committed whatever offence, for instance adultery. He also performs a rite when whatever bush creature is killed, to protect the hunter; if this is non done the spirit of the dead creature may select grip of him as well as he may die.
If a sacrificed fowl falls with caput as well as trunk facing the sun, that shows that it has been accepted. The jamatoo then puts some of the blood on the caput of the patir and places the liver on top.
Personal gods are made of mud. An single man's yennu is placed on the ground or on the wall of the naakuuk, a woman's inwards her bathing area. When the human being marries his yennu is moved to the courtroom yard as a result, when 1 is married as well as wants to tell people that he is married he says I have got directly entered the room or the courtroom yard.
If a adult woman runs away from her hubby she takes her yennu with her; it is a sign that she wants to brand a in conclusion break.
Yennu, sometimes called paaba, may endure images of people, stones (chicheri) or earthen pots, all of which are invoked inwards the shout out of their owner. People worship as well as brand prayers for immediate wants to inanimate objects, such as trees, stones, or an axe tied to a tree.
In almost all Bimoba communities at that topographic point are tungbandam (diviners or fortune-tellers) who own tungbana, as well as profess to seat people, specially women, who practice witchcraft. The jaaba (soothsayer) tells people why they are sick, what sacrifice is required, as well as to which ancestor or fetish it should endure offered. If the sacrifice is required yesteryear someone's personal god or patir, he may offering the sacrifice himself. The ninyuan can uncovering spirits as well as invisible things, as well as thus tin can uncovering witches.
Bimoba(Moba) shrine woman mortal figure,wooden,19th-20th century,Togo as well as Ghana.
Courtesy:Gift of George as well as Julianna Feher, 1981
Sacrifices are offered to ancestors, for instance when offering them herbs to care for an ailment inherited from an before generation, or during the sacrifice to patir. Ancestors are invoked to stand upward behind an individual, family, or clan for success inwards some endeavour. In the procedure the ancestors’ names are e'er mentioned. 
Courtesy:Gift of George as well as Julianna Feher, 1981
Courtesy:The Bryce Holcombe Collection of African Decorative Art, Gift of Bryce Holcombe, 1983
Christianity was starting fourth dimension introduced into Mɔabting from 1949 onwards yesteryear Pastors Shirer, Lehmann, as well as McCorkle of AG. About 1952 the AG established a full general as well as motherhood hospital at Nakpanduri, staffed originally yesteryear missionaries, directly yesteryear Ghanaians. The belatedly paramount principal supported Christianity as well as professed to endure a Christian; he regularly attended Bunkpurugu AoG Church.
In the Catholic parish, inwards 1986, at that topographic point was a "prayer leader" inwards every congregation; at that topographic point were vii zones, as well as the parish priest [from Bunkpurugu?] visited every zone 1 time inwards vii weeks, inwards add-on to a monthly coming together which all [congregational leaders?] awee supposed to attend. They used a liturgy as well as New Testament portions (the iv gospels as well as Acts) inwards a version translated yesteryear the Catholics inwards Togo, also a class book Dinne Kristoyab (The Christian today).
Bimoba Christians
Bimoba Christians
The Lutherans trained congregation leaders through regular classes inwards Bunkpurugus.
Conversion illustration history One human being became a Christian partly though the witness of schoolboy relatives who received Christian education inwards school, as well as partly through evangelistic meetings held yesteryear missionaries inwards his village. This human being became a pastor – but he says most people who became Christians at schoolhouse have got directly drifted away from the faith.
Attitudes Christians as well as Muslims await on 1 some other as pagans. Muslims regard Christianity as "the white man's thing"; Christians experience it is useless to witness to a Muslim as it only leads to argument.
Islam:
There have got been Muslims inwards Mɔakuni since the 1920s; their influence is little but some mosques were built during the 1990s. The mosques at Bunkpurugu as well as Nakpanduri were attended inwards the 1980s primarily yesteryear traders from exterior the area. Most Mɔar Muslims are illiterates. Some object to Islam on the ground that Muslims brand people mad yesteryear the utilization of medicine. Traditional believers object to Christianity because it way giving upward traditional religion.Traditions as well as rites of passage
Bimoba has a few tribal festivals as well as rites, most of them existence rites of passage. The Festival of Danjuor, where the history of Turiŋme is told as well as the coming of Turiŋme to the part is celebrated. This used to be the biggest as well as most colourful festival of the Bimoba.
Bimoba traditional dancers from Dapaong,Togo at Danjuor festival. By arnaud-p
It had non been held for some decades, but inwards Jan 2004 the festival was reintroduced. The Danjuor festival includes music, dance, as well as one-day coming together of all Bimoba. The Danjuor festival of 2004 was visited yesteryear over 2500 people.
In the Bimoba tribe iv rites of passage are of dandy importance: the Koant, (a linguistic communication class or shout out giving process), the Ba Wanu (a ritual to constitute Jaba’s), the wedding, as well as the funeral.
Koant
In the Koant ritual a hole-and-corner linguistic communication is learned as well as a novel shout out is given to a fellow member of the tribe undergoing the ritual. Each fellow member of the Bimoba has dissimilar names. Apart from the starting fourth dimension as well as seat unit of measurement name, many have got a Christian or Muslim name, mostly used when going to schoolhouse or going “Kumasi”(far away). Besides these names Bimoba tin can obtain a ritual Bimoba name.
Bimoba man child from Dapaong Togo
These names (Konjit, Konduuk, Dinwaak as well as Tanjon for women, Duut, Laar, Kombat, Lambon, Konlan as well as Bombom for man) are given to them during a lengthy initiation process. This ritual is regarded to endure holy as well as secret. Unlike other tribes, whatever Bimoba, human being or woman, tin can asking a Koant. The ritual is non compulsory as well as nowadays hardly performed, but yet many initiated (Koantjies) are living inwards the area. Before entering the Koant process, the Konatji (the 1 undergoing the Koant) requests permission of the most senior Koant-member. After consulting the parents of the Koantji, the appointment of entering is fixed. The whole Koant procedure takes iii months for men as well as iv months for women. It gives the Koantjie a highly regarded status as well as the possibility to verbalise with other Koantjies inwards their own, hole-and-corner language.
Bunkprugu-Yunyoo constituency, Northern Region
Ba Wanu
The Ba Wanu initiation, which most Bimoba nether go, establishes whether you lot are a Jaba (sub seer) or not. The initiation takes 12 hours or fifty-fifty more. The Ba Wanu initiation is requested yesteryear a person’s Miar (which literally way olfactory organ but really way a man’s spirit).
Courtesy:The Michael C. Rockefeller Memorial Collection, Bequest of Nelson A. Rockefeller, 1979
Usually this happens when uncommon things move on to life similar death, drought, or heavy flooding. There is no fixed historic flow for married males to undergo the Ba Wanu initiation and, although it is possible to make the Ba Wanu at whatever historic flow if you lot are non married, the vast bulk of the single men make non undergo the Ba Wanu nether the historic flow of forty. Women make non undergo the initiation if they are non married as well as if married they only make the Ba Wanu at the historic flow of forty-five. The actual initiation is normally done yesteryear a Jaba, selected yesteryear some other Jaba. The complicating factor is, that if a incorrect Jaba is chosen to perform the initiation, the mortal initiated tin can either choke or move mad.
The possessor of the Miar is made to faint for some time. In this flow of unconsciousness the human being tin can consider whether he is a Jaba or not. If he is a Jaba, he volition consider ii dwarfs (a human being as well as a woman) on the rooftop of the nakouk. The attendees of the ritual volition hear to his recollections after he comes dorsum to his senses. If the attendees are satisfied with the answer (in fact the correct description of the dwarfs on top of the nakouk) they tin can create upward one's hear that the human being is a Jaba. This implies that every Jaba has undergone the Ba Wanu initiation, but non every mortal who has undergone the Ba Wanu initiation is a Jaba. The mortal known to endure a Jaba is as well as so trained yesteryear an older Jaba. This preparation includes the interpretation of the message from the dwarfs to the people who come upward to him for consultation.
Women make non undergo this fainting procedure but they tin can endure a Jaba if their miar wish them to be. There are only a few woman mortal Jabas inwards the bimoba community. Although woman mortal Jabas tin can non perform the ba wanu for some other person, they tin can advise other people.
Marriage
The Bimoba regard matrimony to endure an of import ritual, but the actual hymeneals is of extremely depression profile. The master ritual (Pochianu) has faded out almost completely. Nowadays the broom seeks the permission of the begetter of his married adult woman to be. This permission is obtained yesteryear intermediaries. Up till directly at that topographic point is no fixed bride price, as well as only little gifts are shipping to the begetter after understanding (cola nuts, guinea fowl, some local gin). The hymeneals ritual itself is performed yesteryear a uncomplicated see to the parents of the bride. After this see the broom sends to a greater extent than cola nuts, tobacco, ii bottles of gin, a jerry tin can of local beer, as well as ii guinea fowls. Influenced yesteryear the Kusasi culture, an additional bride toll of iv cows is laid inwards most of the cases. This business office of the bride toll tin can endure delivered during the starting fourth dimension years of the marriage. Although non master Bimoba, this additional pricing has acquire widespread.
Bimoba women from Sansanne Mango,Togo. By arnaud-p
Reciprocal hymeneals arrangements are known, but directly fading out. There is no other ritual inwards the Bimoba
civilization inwards celebrating a wedding, but due to the introduction of world religions, some seek the approbation of the church. This is – due to the depression percent of Christians as well as Muslims - yet real rare.
Funerals
Funerals are the most of import social activity amid the Bimoba. Each funeral is visited yesteryear hundreds of people as well as the funerals are a social lawsuit instead of a pitiable gathering of mourners.
Most of the funerals consist of ii consecutive parts, the Kumian (Fresh Funeral) as well as the Kukoan (final funeral rite). Kumian as well as Kukoan are only performed for natural deaths. In cases of Kubir (bad death) a dissimilar ritual is performed.
The funeral of a virile mortal Bimoba takes iii days, for a woman mortal it takes iv days. During the starting fourth dimension day, the funeral is announced inwards the early on morning time yesteryear firing carbide grenades, iii for a male, iv for a female. As presently as possible the corps is placed inwards a circular grave unopen to the compound, naked inwards a sitting (foetal) position. The grave is covered as well as the H2O bucket of the deceased is seat on the grave, broken into pieces, to grade the terminate of his life. At sunset some clans perform specific funeral rituals. The next ii or iii days the seat unit of measurement as well as unopen friends remain together to recall the deceased as well as are visited ofttimes yesteryear relatives as well as friends.
The Kukoan (final funeral rite) is performed some fourth dimension later, during the (next) dry out season. Again the social gathering of the clan as well as friends is the fundamental business office of the in conclusion rites. They are famous for the social side effects, i.e. sex, alcohol use, as well as dancing.
As inwards most groups, rituals play a purpose inwards balancing guild (as good as faith does). In the Bimoba tribe ii rituals are of import inwards keeping that balance: The Koant (name giving) as well as the Bawa Nu (appointing of Jabas). Through the Koant, the adults have got learned a novel as well as hole-and-corner linguistic communication inwards which they tin can communicate amid each other at whatever fourth dimension as well as seat they want. This gives the grouping an elevated seat over the repose of the tribe who cannot empathise the language.
Bimoba dance
During the ritual of the Ba Wanu, the novel Jaba’s are selected. Although it is said that the Ba Wanu has to consider the dwarfs during his absences, the attendees of the ritual create upward one's hear whether the candidate saw the correct dwarfs or correct things. So inwards fact the clan (or at to the lowest degree those attending the Ba Wanu) decides who is a novel Jaba as well as consequently 1 of the novel informal leaders: if they make non wish a sure enough candidate, they tin can easily say that he precisely did non consider the correct things. This balancing ability is seen to a greater extent than often as well as is quite influential. It maintains the repose inwards the community without harassment of those who were rejected as existence a novel leader. In Africa this pattern is seen for instance inwards the Mwari Cult inwards Zimbabwe.
Moba people
Leadership as well as organization
In contrast to most of the surrounding tribes, the Bimoba don’t have got their ain principal or full general leader. As stated before, they belong to the acephalous tribes, tribes without rulers. The clan is regarded to endure the most of import organizational structure. Apart from this clan leadership, Bimoba have got the ruling of non-Bimoba chiefs. In our query area, 1 of the regional chiefs (the principal of Zariboko) is a Mamprusi as well as he is inwards accuse of the whole area, including the Bimoba living there. The Bawku naba (chief of the whole Bawku district) is a Kusasi.
Due to the strong clan construction as well as the close-knit clan network, the mutual assistance scheme is extremely strong. Due to this system, the Nnoboa, the Bimoba have got a norm of assisting the clan with the edifice of huts, farming, as well as sharing wealth.
All the Earth inwards the FarFar surface area is owned yesteryear iii clan-families. The boundaries are based on seat unit of measurement history. The oldest human being of the clan is the caretaker of the Earth as well as decides who tin can endure or cultivate the dissimilar parts of the property.
Bimoba people,Savanna region,Togo.
Not all the Earth is cultivated yet, as well as non all the cultivated Earth is cultivated yesteryear the owner. Landowners portion uncultivated Earth with clan members as business office of the Nnoboa. This is done at no cost, but the Earth has to endure returned to the possessor when needed. Since the boundaries are only based on this oral understanding as well as only marked with little trees or crop, many conflicts occur.
Source:https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:tE9Rm2ZgV-EJ:northernghanapeoples.co.uk/BIMOBA%2520MASTER.doc
http://www.bimoba.com/html/bimoba.htm
Bimoba/Moba tribal Shrine Art
tchitcheri sakwa shrine figure of the Bimoba people
commissioning, design, as well as ritual handling of sculptural forms created for several dissimilar kinds of domestic
shrines. Both the scale as well as the relatively abstract cast of this particular move propose that it was in all probability ownedby an extended seat unit of measurement or clan. It was associated with their origins as well as played a vital purpose inwards assuring their collective well-being.
Clan Shrine Figure (Tchitcheri Sakwa)
Moba, Togo
Wood; H. 135 cm (53 1/8 in.)
19th–20th century
The Horstmann Collection, Zug, Switzerland
In Moba society, when ancestral offerings neglect to furnish an private with desired relief, an globe oracle with an established reputation is consulted. In advising individuals, families, or clans, Moba diviners prescribe tchitcheri figures to fortify their clients as well as ameliorate their lives. Such works growth the efficacy of the ritual actions performed at shrines yesteryear calling forth positive ancestral influences. They are protective as well as promote wellness as well as prosperity on a arrive at of dissimilar levels. When a particular occupation disrupted an individual's life, diviners often recommended the add-on of a figurative move to that person's private altar. Similarly, problems of broader concern, such as diseased livestock, poor harvests, or infertility, often led diviners to prescribe that a larger move endure commissioned for a seat unit of measurement shrine.
Challenging an business organisation human relationship yesteryear Leo Frobenius from the turn of the century, which suggested that the possessor of such a move carved it him- or herself, Christine Mullen Kreamer determined that it was invariably made yesteryear a specialist. Although inwards Moba society, forest carving is a science that all may acquire, tchitcheri may endure fashioned only yesteryear individuals whose fathers are diviners. Carving tchitcheri is considered a fragile as well as highly unsafe operation, as well as diviners give their sons special protection needed for the creation of such ritually charged objects. Those who transgress this sanction are idea to adventure blindness or insanity.
Three dissimilar genres of tchitcheri may endure distinguished yesteryear their patronage, contextual placement, scale, and
plane of abstraction. The smallest of these, yendu tchitcheri, are placed inwards personal shrines, which all adults
possess. They make non stand upward for whatever particular mortal or ancestor but are considered an individual's straight link with God. Middle-size bawoong tchitcheri (between 25 as well as xc centimeters high) are designed for household shrines situated prominently inwards the anteroom of a seat unit of measurement compound. These figures stand upward for recent ancestors, such as the parents or grandparents of electrical flow chemical compound leaders (no to a greater extent than than iii or iv generations removed), whom the diviner advises the seat unit of measurement to petition. Because the figures fit to known ancestors, they are to a greater extent than detailed inwards representing bodily as well as facial features.
Tchitcheri sakwa figure
The move shown hither falls into the category of tchitcheri sakwa, which evoke as well as are named after a clan's founding member. The Moba are subsistence agriculturalists, as well as rituals are conducted before planting as well as harvest yesteryear the family's eldest virile mortal member, who applies libations to its sakwa commemorating the founding ancestor. Stylistically, sakwa autumn betwixt the extremely abbreviated, faceless, anonymous yendu as well as the to a greater extent than specifically identifiable bawoong portraits. These monumental works are prominently placed outside, inwards the household yard.
Although the features of a family's sakwa acquire abraded yesteryear the elements, it stands from 1 generation to the adjacent as an indelible marking of its spiritual life. No contemporary works of this form have got been commissioned, andoral history as well as the status of some surviving works propose that they may endure several centuries old.
Bimoba (Moba) Tchitcheri shrine figures on display
The highly standardized blueprint of tchitcheri reduces the human figure to an elemental form. Attenuated arms may either cast a single unit of measurement with the trunk or endure detached at thorax level. Minimal attending is given to facial features, details such as hands as well as feet are to a greater extent than often than non omitted, as well as only occasionally is gender suggested. This extremely reductive polelike figure is crowned yesteryear a rounded knoblike caput with a blank expression. The upper body forms a unified, continuous surface, with its arms held at its sides along the length of the torso. The trunk is represented as a recessed rectangle with raised nipples as well as umbilicus; at its base, it narrows as well as and so flares outward slightly tosuggest hips. Below, clothespinlike legs are carved as ii separate prongs that taper off into narrowed stems.
Despite an emphasis on bilateral symmetry, the figure leans real gently to 1 side. Throughout the weathered surface, abrasion as well as splits unwrap the effects wrought upon the move over time.
Moba people inwards a hamlet displaying the tchitcheri shrine figures.
source:http://www.metmuseum.org/explore/oracle/figures39.html
FACES OF BIMOBA/MOBA
Bimoba kids,Dapaong,Togo
Bimoba village,Dapaong,Togo
Moba people at Market
Moba daughter with chewing stick inwards her mouth.
Moba seat unit of measurement gathering
Moba adult woman as well as baby
Photo source: By arnaud-p
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