Info For Y'all Gonja People: Ghana`S Ancient Warrior Guan Tribe Amongst The Oldest Written Historical Records
The Gonja (also Ghanjawiyyu) people whose truthful call is Ngbanye (meaning Brave Men) derive the call Gonja from a corrupted Hausa phrase Kada Goro-Jaa (meaning terra firma of Red Cola). There are over 285,000 Gonjas inwards Ghana. The Gonja people, are ane of the 20 half-dozen or to a greater extent than Guan ethnic groups, appeared inwards modern Republic of Ghana really early on inwards the 16th Century.
Gonja People
It is indeed mutual historical cognition that the Gonjas or the larger Guan grouping were the first of all residents of the geographical surface area straightaway called Ghana. It is worthy to Federal Reserve notation that Gonja history has been recorded past times Islamic Scholars who were embedded inwards the Gonja regular army every bit it left ancient Mande inwards Republic of Mali in addition to travelled through Segu inwards Southern Republic of Mali in addition to approached the Bole surface area through La Cote d’Ivoire, the Sissala surface area in addition to Wa inwards modern Upper West.
Gonja people: Ghana`s president John Dramani Mahama (middle) is a Gonja
Location inwards Country:Northern region, south; westward central, upper branches of Volta Lake area; Black Volta River to White Volta area, both sides.(Source: Ethnologue 2010)
Gonja adult woman wearing caput scarf
Language
The Gonja linguistic communication is a Kwa linguistic communication spoken past times an estimated 300,000 people, almost all of whom are of the Gonja ethnic grouping of northern Ghana. Gonja is related to Guan languages inwards the southward of Ghana, it is spoken past times most a 3rd of the population inwards the northern region.
Gonja kids
HISTORY
Several accounts of Gonja history take away hold been published, all of them based really largely on the corpus of oral tradition which Jones (1962) has called the 'Jakpa epic'. Jakpa, so the storey goes, was a mighty warrior 'from Mande', who fought his means across Gonja from westward to east, in addition to then, before he was killed inwards battle, shared out the lands which were his past times correct of conquest amid his sons. By the halt of his decease the introduce Gonja Traditional Area was established fully every bit a centralized province nether his sole leadership inwards 1675. The earliest recorded version of the Jakpa epic, inwards substantially its modern form, Is to live found inwards an Standard Arabic chronicle written inwards the 18901s (El-Wakkad in addition to WMks, 1962).
Yagbongwura Tuntumba Sulemana Jakpa Bore Essa, King of Gonja, Damongo, Ghana
1. Kitab Ghunja version of Gonja History compiled In most 1751 (Wilks, 1966).
This go has been known for some fourth dimension inwards an English linguistic communication translation made xl years agone in addition to published later past times Goody (1954:). Several manuscripts take away hold been located over the in conclusion v years, in addition to a definitive edition is inwards preparation. It tin live shown past times reference to this go that the Jakpa epic In its electrical flow shape is a relatively recent development, summarizing something similar a century in addition to a one-half of early on Gonja history. For the sixteenth in addition to seventeenth century the Kitab itself based on oral tradition; but it is before than whatever other recorded version past times good over a hundred years, in addition to really much to a greater extent than coherent in addition to convincing.
The arrival inwards Gonja of the Ngbonyo, the immigrant rulers, is described inwards a department of the Kitab which has go detached from the main torso of the go but survives independently (Wilks, 1966). Naba, who was to live the first of all manly someone monarch of Gonja, had come upwards southward originally on a punitive expedition dispatched past times the 'Chief of Mande-Kabba against the trading-town of Begho. He so turned N to assault Buna, in addition to across the Black Volta Into western Gonja. Here he built a fortified army camp or stronghold called Yogbum. The Kitab Ghunja gives no dates every bit such for the early on kings, precisely the lengths of their reigns; dead-reckon Ing would set the starting fourth dimension of Naba`s reign at 1549-50. Wilks (1966) believes that this appointment may live besides early, past times every bit much every bit 50 years, pointing out that the reigns ascribed to these early on kings are on average much longer than those of the eighteenth century rulers.
On the early on history of the kingdom the Kitab has piddling to offer. Its author's main interest, non surprisingly, was amongst the conversion of the ruling dynasty to Islam early on In the reign of Mawura (1580-1599?). By that fourth dimension the uppercase of the Gbanya kingdom was at Buipe inwards cardinal Gonja, on ane of the trade-routes leading northwards from the margins of the forest. It may live possible to distinguish a stage of consolidation inwards the Buipe surface area followed past times a stage of rapid expansion to the due east in addition to north. By around 1600 Gonja had in all likelihood reached to a greater extent than or less its total extent. The adjacent phase, which the difficulties of communication .must
have made almost inevitable, was ane of progressive decentralization. In the Kitab this vogue is reflected inwards the passage dealing amongst the long reign of al-Lara (1623-1667), of whom it is said that 'he divided the
country of Gonja in addition to gave it to his brothers'. It seems that the divisional chiefdoms, originally perhaps appointive, had past times straightaway go vested In sure as shooting families which were, or which chose to think of themselves as, cadet branches of the Gbanya dynasty. In formally recognizing the divisional chiefs every bit his 'brothers', al-Lata was at to the lowest degree past times implication admitting himself every bit manly someone monarch to live precisely first of all amid equals.
This vogue at go inside the kingdom for the divisions to increase In powerfulness at the expense of the centre, compounded every bit it was amongst attacks from outside, led into a stage of rapid disintegration at the halt of the seventeenth century. The reign of al-Lata's boy Sulayman was remembered every bit a fourth dimension of continual war. He was deposed In 1689; in addition to a few years later, the Gbanya kingdom finally brutal apart amongst the outbreak of civil state of war In 1692.
Dr Forster Abu Sakara is a Gonja
The Kitab, though it is clear on the disastrous side-effects of the war, says null of the aims for which it was fought, or of the results it achieved. It seems apparent none the less that ane of its results, in addition to in all likelihood ane of its objectives, was to overthrow the powerfulness of the Buipe dynasty. By 1709 Gonja was on its means to recovery, organized straightaway on a confederate arrangement which, amongst modifications inwards detail, survives today (Goody, 1967). The uppercase was transferred to Nyanga inwards western Gonja, where Naba has built his war-camp, in addition to a paramount primary was installed in that location whose championship straightaway is Yagbumwura, but who seems originally to take away hold been called Gbinipewura. Seven of the divisions, Tuluwe, Kpembe in addition to Kong amid them, but for reasons which tin precisely live guessed at non Daboya, were made 'gates' to Yagbum; that is, their chiefs were eligible for advertisement to the paramountcy when it brutal vacant. The issue of 'gates' has varied amongst the course of didactics of time, but the primary of Buipe has ever been rigorously excluded. Though his seat fifty-fifty today is ane of considerable prestige, his political powerfulness is negligible.
2.History in addition to Traditions of the Gonja
By: J. A. Braimah; H. H. Tomlinson et al.
The go covers the flow from 1566/7 to 1711/12 during which fourth dimension in that location was a struggle betwixt ii groups of Mandinka, the Manwura in addition to his clan in addition to the Lata Ngbanya whose leader was Lata (Lanta) Jakpa, for power. Ndewura Jakpa who is good known every bit the founder of Gonja was the boy of Lata (Dii Ngoro) Jakpa. In Gonja nosotros take away hold the traditional drummers, the Kuntunkure in addition to the Mbontokurbi drummers, who recite verses which give the history of the people most peculiarly the exploits of the founder of the Gonja Empire, Ndewura Jakpa.The exploits of distinguished leaders or kings in addition to of private families, every bit given past times the drummers are, inwards many cases, the repetition of some well-worn saga, adding to it events inwards recent history, which contains a modicum of historical fact.
Gonja is ane of the lucky tribes which has had its history recorded past times Arab Muslims who accompanied them to this component of the world. According to Standard Arabic manuscript in addition to oral tradition, the Gonjas, who were originally Mandingo (Gonja Dingo-ebi), or Mandinka, migrated from the province of Mande, that is, from the Republic of Mali Empire, many years before the Hejra Year 1000.
The Mandingo forces that entered modern Republic of Ghana amongst all the other allies, besides numerous to bring upwards here, arrived nether the leadership of the leader of the Mandingo expeditionary forces from the old Songhai Empire inwards 1546. That was the climax of the Songhai Empire in addition to fifty-fifty though oral tradition on this is totally accurate, ane would human face that internecine tribal activities would take away hold led to movements of some groups from the centre of powerfulness or conflict. We should also Federal Reserve notation that the neat Askia Mohammed had been on the throne for thirty-five years past times 1528. Owing to Askia Mohammed’s sick wellness in addition to infirmity, his boy Musa in addition to his nephew Askia Bankouri in addition to yet some other boy Askia Ismail fought over powerfulness in addition to turned the throne into a political football. Instability inwards Songhai continued until the reign of Askia Daud which restored normalcy inwards the Kingdom around 1581.
In the course of didactics of these turbulent times at headquarters, the breakaway grouping inwards the diaspora was establishing herself firmly inwards introduce Gonjaland amongst the reign of Landa from 1546 to 1576.
Gonja chiefs
After Landa, Wam reigned for 19 years from 1576 to 1595. Chari reigned for xl years from 1595 to 1615, so followed Amoah (Alhaji Imoru Seidu) 1615 to 1634 in addition to so to Lanta Limu, 1634 to 1675; the manly someone parent of the legendary leader, Ndewura Jakpa. Indeed Lanta Limu abdicated inwards favour of Jakpa who reigned from1675 to 1697.
As Jakpa embarked on the conquest of the electrical flow vast Gonjaland in addition to fifty-fifty beyond, he cultivated the practise of installing his sons inwards what has come upwards to live known every bit divisions. These divisions which take away hold survived conflicts, European dominion in addition to fifty-fifty modern governance are Wasipe (Daboya), Kpembe, Bole, Tuluwe, Kong, Kadia in addition to Kusawgu. To this twenty-four hours the paramount chiefs who caput these divisions refer to the Yagbonwura every bit their father.
One of the oldest surviving documents written inwards an African linguistic communication is the Isnad of Al-Haji Muhamed from most A.D. 1736, a Gonja:
Kpembe's ntunpana appellation, which is the appellation of all Chiefs of Singbing is:
Asante kotoko The porcupine of Ashanti
[versus]
Singbinghene, brimpon The Sin barring king, the great
Wo na wa hwe ase It is he who when he falls
Na mpanini ba wu The elders volition die
okum apem You kill a one one thousand [of his men]
Na apem beba And a one one thousand volition come upwards [as reinforcement].
The Singbing menage unit of measurement are the straight descendants or unopen relatives of Ndewura Jakpa. Another Gonja ntunpana drum appellation is: 3
Kotoko Sin bra du The porcupine of Sin who brought a retinue
Sin bra du The Sin amongst a retinue
Amankwa And retainer of the state
Wo fro dua If yous intend to climb a tree
Wa hwe ase a If yous so fall
Na ya ma wu due You volition live sympathized with
Three Gonja proverbs refer to the Sin; they are:
1. Binypo luwe N'Sin-ba e la anyi The learned [people] We are one-half Sins [now]
2. Sin,kra 'nu Eseng-iipo ni kafong ko Sin, take away heed again; It is an informer who worries.
3. Sin Bey niya ? [What about] the Sin sovereign's (Bey) share?
Fa la dimadi If yous telephone telephone your-self a person,
A mink ba yuu so And yous take away hold no ane to rely on,
Esi jigo e la fo You are a foolish person.
The Gonjas were inwards the Songhay Empire in addition to were known to take away hold been at Dza, Jenne, Gao (Kawkaw), Fio, Say in addition to Sengu.
The Mbontokurbi travelling vocal of the Gonja leader Lata (Lanta) Jakpa is:
A stranger (toure) but he reigned;
Challenge to Manwu
He is forceful (kankang); but he reigned
Challenge to Manwu.
The hunting [warrior] king.
He ane time again licks, in addition to splashes away.
I am Dii Ngoro Jakpa,
The warrior king
Who follows the state of war trails.
Which people surrendered to an alien powerful prince?
It was the people of Gbirbi who surrendered to an alien powerful prince.
Which people surrendered to an alien powerful prince?
It was the people of Kachari who surrendered to an alien powerful prince.
He is the invading confiscator
The warrior leader (lan kpang)
He is the neat solitary wasp;
He captures princes in addition to turns them into slaves
And captures slaves
And turns them into princes
Behold the manly someone monarch who ascended hills [other sovereigns]
On his advance.
A wise human has to live amongst fools.
A rock does non walk
But it rolls.
Further evidence of the Gonja having come upwards from the far West is to live found inwards the titles of kings (chiefs) inwards the West Coast of the Atlantic in addition to N Africa such every bit "Burba" in addition to "Bey" used inwards the Kuntunkure in addition to Mbontokurbi drum verses. "Fari" in addition to "Si," which are titles of kings inwards the erstwhile Songhay Empire are also used inwards the drum verses.
"Bur-ba" is found inwards the Kuntunkure verses entitled "K'Borichulo," important "In Praise of God" inwards the stanza:
Mbong-bi Mo-ano so nchu
N ya sa Lanta Bur-ba;
Ne e so m bulo ngbine
A dese.
Meaning:
The streams [lieutenants] at the Mo boundary
Should confiscate the H2O [sovereignty]
And vest it inwards Lanta the Bur-ba
And he volition fill upwards his heart
And prevarication down.
Early Portuguese travellers exhibit that past times the middle of the fifteenth century the damel of Kojor, in addition to barak of Wula, the 10 of Baol, in addition to the "bur-bar-Salum" were independent of the "bur-bar-Jolof," although they recognised him a suzerain in addition to would seek his help every bit arbitrator.
"Bur" alone, without the "ba," is also used every bit the championship of manly someone monarch every bit inwards the Gonja titles "Bur Wura," "Bur Manwura," "Bur Lannyo," in addition to "Bur Kpembewura."
"Bey," which is the championship of a native ruler of Tunis, is found inwards the Gonja championship "Manwule Bey-so" "The sovereign (Bey) trapper of Manwule in addition to inwards 'Bey-so-bi'—The junior Bey (Sovereign) trapper" inwards the Kuntunkure drum poesy "Manwul Bey-so."
"Dey," which was the championship of a governor of Algiers before the French conquest of 1830 in addition to formerly the championship of a ruler of Tunis of Tripoli is found inwards the Gonja titles "Mo-Dey" (Mo sovereign) in addition to "Wang-Dey" (Dagomba sovereign) inwards the Kuntunkure in addition to Mbontokurbi drum verses.
"Fari" in addition to "fa" (abbreviation of "fari") are also used. Yagbongwura Nyantachi's championship is unremarkably known every bit "Nyantachi a'fari." In the Tuluwewura's Kuntunkure appellation, nosotros abide by inwards ane stanza the usage of the discussion "fa" for "sovereign."
Gonja people
During the flow of the neat Wolof province many small-scale chieftaincies had been formed amid the southern Serer. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 piddling before the first of all Portuguese arrived Mandinka, migrating from N'gabu (Portuguese Guinea) region, settled amid them in addition to took over the chieftaincies of Sin, Salum, Baol, Uli, Niani, in addition to N'gabu, which were linked past times diverse political ties amongst those of the Wolof. The ruling shape of Mande source (known every bit "gelowar" inwards Sin in addition to Selum in addition to "garmi" inwards Walo, Kajo, in addition to Baol) are said to take away hold been Muslims of a sort when they took over the Serer states, but they presently lost their Mande characteristics in addition to became pagan. The most of import Serer states were Sin situated on the correct banking company of the Salum river, in addition to Salum adjoining Sin inland, whose authorisation at ane fourth dimension extended to the River Gambia. The tiny Serer states of N'Dukuman, Kungeul, Pakalla, Mandak, Rip, Legem in addition to Niombato mostly paid allegiance to either Sin or Salum.
Greater inaugural was shown past times the Mande trading chemical constituent who were definitely Muslim in addition to spread Islam into upper Republic of Guinea in addition to the Upper Ivory Coast. This part is peopled past times Mandinka inwards the West (Beyla founded inwards 1763, Kankan c. 1690, Kurussa in addition to Odienne region) in addition to Senufo (Sienne or Sienamana) inwards the centre in addition to east. Other Mandinka migrations came from the west, from the Upper Niger in addition to upper Milo (Wasulonke, Futanke in addition to Dyomane). These immigrants were pagans, but the trading classes amid them were Muslims in addition to Muslim Mande spread over the regions of Kankan in addition to Beyla (in the due east of Guinea) in addition to inwards Odienne, Tuba, Man, Kong in addition to Segela (upper Ivory Coast), Wa in addition to Salaga (modem Ghana), in addition to inwards Mossi country.
The Mandingo Expedition to Bono Manso
At some fourth dimension betwixt 1550 in addition to 1575 the neat Askia Dawud of Songhay found that the supplies of gilt from the southern province were getting smaller. The main ground was that Akan gilt producers had begun selling some of their production to Portuguese in addition to other European traders along the Seaboard.
Askia Dawud accordingly dispatched a forcefulness of Mandinka armed cavalry to reckon what could live done. Dawud's armoured horsemen, the bulldozing tanks of these times, rode southward from the neighbourhood of Jenne until they reached the Black Volta curvature of modem Ghana.
These horsemen were the ancestors of the introduce twenty-four hours Gonjas. The Equus caballus riders were armed amongst swords in addition to atomic issue 26 spears. In state of war the horsemen acted every bit cavalry. The Gonjas discovered that cavalry could non operate inwards the dense wood where the Akan lived in addition to smelted gold.
The Kuntunkure traditional drummer inwards some of the verses he recites gives us some data most the battles fought including those fought amongst the Akan.
In the verses entitled "Chari," the Mo-wura's (Manwura) appellation, nosotros are informed that:
It was at Dja in addition to Kong towns that he [the Gonja leader Chari, or Saara]
went in addition to killed [defeated]
Limu, the Dja in addition to Kong towns hunter [warrior].
They were ii caput hunters [war leaders]
They bent in addition to discharged [guns in addition to arrows].
This was before he [Chari Manwura] came to Manwule,
Before he marched to Manwule Manso.
It was at Long's town [Long-Kuro] that he went in addition to killed Longoro
[god] Bori Pasai.
Chari Manwura (1595/6 [or 1593/4] to 1614/5
[or 1612/3])
As tin live seen from the extract quoted inwards a higher identify the Gonjas were traditionalist Mandingos in addition to were converted to Islam past times Mallam Mohamed Labayiru, who came to live known every bit Fati Morukpe, after their victory over the Kolo (Kawlaw) army. The Gonjas were partially converted in addition to take away hold remained nominal Muslims to this day, because the bulk of them soundless worship idols, in addition to it is a taboo upwards to this introduce day, inwards eastern Gonja at to the lowest degree where the Gonjas are to a greater extent than conservative, for a Gonja Chief to come inwards a Mosque to pray. The Gonjas were partially converted to Islam because they were impressed past times the miraculous routing of the enemy at Kawlaw in addition to wanted to maintain the Muslims to brand prayers unto Allah for them so that they could go on to win victory inwards all their wars. This would enable them to institute their ain Kingdom in addition to thereby increase their fortunes past times accumulating to a greater extent than worth.After their conversion Chari Manwura asked Mallam Mohammed Labayiru (Fati Morukpe) to convey service amongst him in addition to offering prayers for him unto Allah so every bit to divert mishaps in addition to evils which mightiness tend to bar his advance in addition to promised to vantage him if he were successful inwards his adventure. An understanding was made at the camp, which was sealed past times an oath taken on the Quran, binding both parties to maintain the agreement. The understanding was:
i. That Fati Morukpe should go amongst the Ngbanya (Gonja) regular army in addition to implore God for its success;
ii. That the articles of vantage comprising;
One hundred slaves (men in addition to women)
One hundred cattle,
One hundred horses,
One hundred donkeys,
One hundred sheep,
One hundred goats,
One hundred gowns,
Ndewura Jakpa (1675-97)
From the fourth dimension of the taking of the oath on the Qur'an opened upwards hostilities betwixt Chari Manwura in addition to Lata Dii Ngoro Jakpa ceased. In 1675/6 Lata Dii Ngoro Jakpa abdicated in addition to handed over the sovereignty to his boy who was given the championship of "Ndewura Jakpa." Lata Dii Ngoro Jakpa became Burrewura inwards 1634/5 in addition to hence sovereign of the Lata Ngbanya (Gonjas) for 41 years when he died inwards 1681/2. It was Ndewura Jakpa who expanded the Gonja Empire past times conquest. All the terra firma he conquered was Dagomba territory.
Limu, Manwura's blood brother who came after Amoah was soundless live at the fourth dimension Lata Jakpa(Burrewura) handed over his sovereignty to his boy Ndewura Jakpa. Limu had expected that he would take away hold succeeded Lata Jakpa. Sumaila Ndewura Jakpa the founder of the Gonja Kingdom was himself initially a trader from Malle or Made according to a source. At a dot inwards fourth dimension he became bankrupt. Just most the fourth dimension he had consulted a sure as shooting Mallam most his fortunes inwards life. The Mallam bluntly told Jakpa that fifty-fifty though he came from the imperial menage unit of measurement he would never ascend the throne. Instead, his fortune was inwards unusual lands, where he would attain rises in addition to would institute a kingdom for himself, his children in addition to followers. Jakpa was so convinced of the Mallam’s prophecy that he mobilized tens of thousands of fighting contingent in addition to other followers in addition to laid out around the sixteenth century.
From Mandi or Gizi, both sources affirm that Sumaila Ndewura Jakpa in addition to his regular army on reaching Jah, the first of all town of call, Jakpa came into contact amongst Fati Morukpe, a really powerful Mallam of the worn in addition to made friends amongst him. The Kpe inwards the Mallam’s call stands for his albino color in addition to features. Jakpa solicited his companionship for his impending adventures so that he would live an intermediary to offering prayers unto God so every bit to divert mishaps in addition to evil inwards his exploits. If the offering was accepted, Jakpa promised to pay a tribute of a hundred pairs of every domestic animate beingness including ane hundred slaves, cattle, horses, in addition to gowns. In the ensuring friendship that developed anywhere Jakpa conquered in addition to left behind a boy Fati Morukpe also replicated amongst a son. Fati Morukpe’s descendants straightaway shape the Nsuawura’s lineage inwards the Yagbonwura’s palace in addition to also shape the Sakpari (Mallam) department inwards every division.
Ndewura Jakpa began his conquests past times first of all moving westward from the Dibir province where his manly someone parent founded his state. On reaching Bole he was told of a sure as shooting powerful Fetish or Shrine Priest who must live overpowered at Mankuma,the uppercase of Gbipe (Buipe) before he could settle down. Consequently he marched on Mankuma, in addition to after a neat display of dark powerfulness in addition to exhibit of strength on both sides, he defeated the Fetish Priest in addition to planted his sis in addition to nephew there. The sis was afterwards given the championship Mankumawuriche (Mankuma Queen) in addition to the nephew Kakulasewura (meaning an eavesdropper to tap data from the Fetish Priest for Jakpa). Jakpa so over ran the Vagalla people who largely occupied the place. He marched through Sakpa into Ntereso-Gbanfu, western Gonja (the Bole Division). There was straightaway opened upwards hostility betwixt the Lata Ngbanya in addition to the Manwura's group, in addition to ane Sulemana became an active leader of the Manwura's people. Limu mightiness take away hold been besides old at that fourth dimension to live able to give effective leadership.
At Sakpa the elders of Bel (Bole), Mandari in addition to Gbenfu met Ndewura Jakpa in addition to surrendered to him. The town of Bel was renamed Bole important "Submission" inwards Gonja. After he had settled affairs inwards Bole in addition to appointed a primary (the Bolewura) for the surface area Ndewura marched north.
Jakpa straightaway pushed into the Wala province defeated them in addition to chose Nyanga every bit the uppercase of the conquered lands in addition to named it Gbinipowura-pe. He so partitioned the terra firma amid his sons whom he made chiefs to administer these areas. This Wala province included Kong in addition to Kandia areas.
Jakpa straightaway turned his attending on the Tampruma people on the Western banks of the White Volta River. These Tamprumas were subjects of the Dagomba Kings who appointed their representatives to administer the surface area in addition to also command the salt-making past times the natives inwards Burugu (later to live known every bit Daboya past times the Ngbanye). Jakpa went into combat amongst the Dagombas dislodging them on the western side in addition to followed them upwards to the Eastern side where in that location ensued a vehement battle in addition to really heavy casualy were suffered on both sides. In the halt the Dagombas were defeated in addition to their Kind Na Dariziogo slain. Many Dagomba towns were captured to include Gbirimani (Birimani), which came nether the jurisdiction of Kpembi in addition to Kasulyili nether the Wasipewura.
Ndewura Jakpa so placed Burugu (Daboya) nether the authorisation of his missy who accepted the championship Burugu-Wurche (Queen of Burugu). She was left amongst a small-scale garrison nether her command.
The strategic importance of Daboya to the Ngbanye in addition to also to the Dagbamba was inwards no dubiety because it was the gate-way to the western corridor of the nutrient producing province of the Tamplumas who incidentally were also a really brave fighting forcefulness who must live conquered in addition to assimilated strategically to deed every bit a buffer to Dagbamba expansion bid to the westward of the river. Beside Burugu/Daboya itself was economically in addition to socially of import due to the common salt making manufacture in addition to the resourcefulness of the river which earned the town its call Daboya (meaning our blood brother is amend than us).
These benefits indicated inwards a higher identify in addition to other factors urged the Dagbambas to go on to brand persistent state of war machine incursions into Daboya in addition to surrounding villages. This necessitated the removal of the Wasipewura past times Jakpa from Wasipe inwards the Bole surface area to Daboya to reinforce the garrison in addition to command the salt-making industry. The Daboya primary continued to live called Wasipewura to this day.
Meanwhile Jakpa had conquered the Biegas (Beso Nsoko of the Banda people) after initial resistance before making in-road into the Bole surface area every bit mentioned earlier. And from Bole Jakpa also penetrated Bamboi surface area where the Mos easily submitted themselves to his authorisation past times presenting him amongst 30 Kegs of gun-powder without a fight.
Jakpa in addition to his men straightaway pushed eastward betwixt the White in addition to Black Volta river routing Kahu (Laribanga) in addition to the large town of Kurase, South-West of Damongo mostly occupied past times a department of the Dagbamba. From in that location Jakpa traversed to Kaniamase the uppercase of the so Kania people in addition to captured the town in addition to inwards the procedure killed their manly someone monarch at the palace in addition to renamed Kaniamase (Gbipe or Buipe).
The regular army straightaway marched on Mpaha in addition to encountered the Debre people, a vehement battle ensued at Kapiese nigh Mpaha inwards which the N’nyamase were conquered. Jakpa proceeded to Tuluwe through Tamanklan (a identify Jakpa rested before crossing the river in addition to inwards the procedure forgetting his mat on which he rested hence the village’s derivation of its name). From in that location he came to Nyilalan in addition to met the Apere (Apir) people of Tuluwe surface area (Singbin) in addition to over ran them.
He continued towards Kafaba in addition to spell soundless on the Western side of the Black Volta the leader of the town sent to run into Jakpa inwards advance amongst peace overtures in addition to sending drinking H2O consisting of mashed Fura in addition to fermented porridge drinking H2O in addition to honey. Jakpa inwards appreciation of the leader’s overtures reciprocated past times promoting him every bit peace-maker past times giving him a blanket, redcap in addition to a scepter every bit a symbol of authorisation for he the Kafabawura to take away hold the powerfulness in addition to authorisation to evoke peace in addition to settle or reconcile whatever feuding parties or misunderstanding arising thereof inwards whatever component of Gonja amongst his presence.
At Kafaba Jakpa met a thriving cola-nut merchandise market. From in that location he subdued all the inhabitants along the means to Salaga which was so inhabited past times the Nanumba people. The Nanumbas were driven away in addition to kola merchandise transferred from Kafaba to Salage which later became an emporium for the slave merchandise in addition to other products.
The Gonjas however, moved a piddling out of Salaga in addition to built Kpembe town.
Jakpa’s insatiable spirit of conquest in addition to terra firma presently drove him ane time again eastward to conquer the Kpamkpamba in addition to Bassari people. He took prisoners in addition to captured thousands of oxen, sheep in addition to goats.
The captives taken were planted betwixt Nchumuru, Salaga in addition to Nanumba to till the terra firma in addition to provide the Kpembiwura amongst foodstuffs.
To consolidate his handle in addition to also identify a cheque on the Dagbamba expansion bid southward of Tamale, Jakpa’s 5th boy living amongst his senior blood brother Tuluwewura Abass was so equipped in addition to went in addition to took Kasugu from the Dagbambas past times conquest.
After years of residual Jakpa contemplated fighting the Asante but his men murmured owing to fatique of war. He later defied them despite warnings against fighting the Asantes. He crossed the Volta River towards Yeji to Kabako in addition to encountered the Asantes. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 raging battle so took identify inwards which Jakpa was shot inwards the talocrural articulation in addition to mortally wounded. Before his decease Jakpa instructed that his torso live sent to Mankuma the sister’s identify for burial.
On reaching Aburumase (meaning I am straightaway weak in addition to dying) he was really sick indeed. When they got to Trekpa (I take away hold straightaway reached my end) he died.
On reaching Gbipe straightaway spelt Buipe (Gbi important heavy or weight load) the corpse was getting bad he was hence interred in that location (Gbipe).
Since it was Jakpa’s limited wishing to convey his concluding residual at the sister’s identify of abode at Mankuma, it has go customary since so for all Yagbonwuras to live entombed at Mankuma, a hamlet on the main Sawla-Bole road.
The successor it was decided should live a prince or primary amongst large house-hold in addition to enough followers. The Chief of Kong was elected. Hence the tow Nyanga is called “Yagbon” i.e. “big household” in addition to thus became the call of the peel in addition to championship “Yagbonwura”.
It was non until 1944 that the uppercase of the Ngbanye was moved from Nyanga to Damongo.
It volition live noticed that before Sumaila Ndewura Jakpa’s exploited in addition to conquests of the introduce twenty-four hours Gonja v (5) other kings had ascended the throne inwards the introduce Gonja area. Jakpa conquered them in addition to became the first of all Ngbanye king, every bit confirmed past times Mr. Blair below:
Mr. Blair, inwards an endeavour to compare the histories of the Dagbamba in addition to Ngbanye kingdoms writes, “In the erstwhile the Dagbamba came inwards every bit a tribe or grouping of clans, slew many of the Tindanas in addition to impressed their linguistic communication on the people of the land, aboriginal Grunshi in addition to Guan, or driving them out every bit inwards the example of the Konkombas, etc.
“On the other hand, from the evidence at hand, the Kagbanyewere a mere raiding band of Mandingo stock, who conquered the Guan, Vagalla in addition to Apir countries but owing to their small-scale numbers could do no to a greater extent than than institute a ruling dynasty over adopting Guan, the linguistic communication of ane of the conquered tribes. The precisely evidence of their source is inwards the few Mandingo words straightaway surviving inwards the Gbanya language.”
Ghana`s President John Dramani Mahama is a Gonja
Sulemana Jakpa (1697-1709)
When inwards exile Sulemana 32 styled himself (Jakpa) the King of Yagbong in addition to his settlement inwards Atebubu was a province nether the primary of Mampong. Carl Christian Reindorf inwards his mass The History of the Gold Coast in addition to Ashanti (p. 83; 2nd edn.) described this small-scale Gonja settlement in addition to states:
As already mentioned, Opoku Ware during the whole of his reign was actively engaged inwards completing in addition to strengthening the conquests of his predecessors inwards the N in addition to north-east countries. The Nta province so governed past times the King of Yebo (Yabong), a nominal province of Mampong, Owusu Sakyere of Mampong, who had accuse of the province, sent messengers in that location to levy men for sacrifice to his belatedly father; but the King of Yebo refused to permit it. Owusu Sekyere appealed to the King Opoku in addition to state of war was declared against the Ntas. Opoku, every bit usual, seized his opportunity, marched his regular army in that location in addition to subdued the whole country.
Sulemana married an Ashanti adult woman in addition to some of the children he had amongst her were, Asantewa, Kofi Gyedu in addition to Ko Agyapo. This is why the Ashanti King is described inwards the Kuntunkure poesy Bowlong quoted inwards a higher identify every bit the orphan's (Sulemana) "mother-in-law."
The call "Nta" was given to the Gonjas past times the Ashantis mayhap because of the bow (and arrows) amongst which Ndewura Jakpa was associated. The bow inwards Gonja is called "K'ta." Another ground may live that in that location were twin (two) Kings of Gonja at the fourth dimension forming a condominium.
Sulemani Kpatakpari
Sulemani Kpatakpari 42 is mentioned inwards iii dissimilar songs inwards Gonja. During the damba ceremony the women singers telephone telephone "Sulemani Kpatakpari to come upwards out in addition to trip the low-cal fantastic damba," at most 4 a.m. that is the fourth dimension Kpembewura is expected to come upwards out of his chemical compound to convey component inwards the dancing.
The Dagomba drum beaters volition give whatever primary whose call is Sulemana the appellation of Sulemana ben Dawudu (Sulemana boy of Dawud). It is of course, hard to say what connectedness Sulemana had amongst Askia Dawud who dispatched Mandinka cavalry, the founders of introduce Gonja, to Bono Manso to reckon what could live done most stopping the Akan gold-producers from selling some of their production to Portuguese in addition to other European traders along the seaboard.
Gonja human wearing traditional talisman cap
1. KPANA
Kpanaliumni is the Gonja hunters trip the low-cal fantastic which is performed when a hunter kills a large animate beingness such every bit the roan, hartebeeste, buffalo, Panthera leo or leopard, or when a neat hunter dies. Kpana tin live said to live the funeral trip the low-cal fantastic of a reputed hunter. "Hunter" is a metaphor for "warrior" inwards the Kuntunkure drum verses. The Kpana trip the low-cal fantastic is opened past times the vocal "Sulemani salamalaikum" (Sulemana Salutations). Most Gonja songs are inwards proverbs in addition to so are the Kpana songs. The literal translation of Sulemani salamalaikum is every bit follows:
Sulemana offers salutations;—by soloist
Saluations are unwelcomed—Chorus
It is a stranger who is called "some body;"
Salutations are unwelcomed.
Tuluuwewura Abbass (and the Supposed Interregnal Period 1697-1709)
Ndewura Jakpa's boy was dead in addition to so his blood brother Limu succeeded him. 34 Limu reigned for precisely ii months. One Saywura (Senyonwura Lannyo) succeeded Limu in addition to ruled for precisely viii months. Because Ndewura Jakpa was buried at Gbipe, the Lata Ngbanya decided to brand the town their headquarters also, in addition to it was hither that both Limu in addition to Senyonwura Lannyo were installed Kings. Senyonwura Lannyo was driven out of Gbipe past times the Ashantis who had installed Sulemana every bit their protégé.
Senyonwura Lannyo returned to western Gonja in addition to built the town of Bur'wurpe betwixt Senyon, Nyanga in addition to Mankuma where he settled. He assumed the championship of "Burlannyo," that is, "Burre Wura Lannyo," because he was non straightaway inwards active command of the Gonjas every bit sovereign; he was retired.
Tuluwewura Abbass, who was the boy of Lanta (Lata-Dii Ngoro Jakpa) became the leader of the Lata Ngbanya (Gonja) when Lannyo was driven out of Gbipe but he was non installed King.
When the Tuluwe chiefship was created the Tuluwewura (Abbass was the first of all Tuluwewura) was stationed at Binyalipe, a identify non far from Gbipe, amongst instructions to maintain an optic on the Gbipe sovereigns. These instructions take away hold go the Tuluwewura's Kuntunkure appellation in addition to the literal translation of the poesy entitled "Ka lii Chari," important "Chari's vanquisher" is:
[This is the] domicile of the deserted Ngbanya [Gonjas],
Vanquisher of Chari.
Matters are pending,
The Gbipewura in addition to the Kagbapewura
When Sulemana Jakpa died, the Gbipewura became the Wurkong (non‐ active Regent) whilst effective command of the province was inwards the hands of Tuluwewura Abbass who was the de facto Regent until his enrollment every bit King inwards 1709. Gbipewura was the keeper of Jakpa's grave so he was revered past times all the Gonja Chiefs. Abbass was killed past times the Tonawa (Ashantis) in addition to his funeral was performed inwards Gbipe where all the chiefs assembled to elect a novel King.
Gonja chiefs lying downward performing a traditional dance
After the funeral Kpembewura Mahama Labayiru was elected in addition to installed Yagbongwura. Gbipewura found his seat weak because of the numerical strength of the Lata Ngbanya in addition to he hence conceded defeat. He had to say something 37 to the novel King during his installation, but because he was angry in addition to disappointed he would non go personally to verbalise to him in addition to hence sent his twin brother, the Kagbapewura to go in addition to deliver his instruction. The Gbipewura's appellation inwards the Kuntunkure drum verses, is entitled "Dinkeri Wam‐ mu" (Dinkeri, Head of Wam's family). He the Gbipewura was straightaway similar the manly someone monarch of Denkyera who was defeated past times the Ashantis who were formally subjects of the Denkyeras. The literal translation of the poesy is:
I am [now like] Dinkeri,
[I am]
The caput of Wam's family.
I homecoming to towns [to reconquer] every bit the feminine Chari [Sulemana] did.
When my deceased grand-uncle slackened,
His comrade was the Black-smith [Jakpa], the Dagomba Dey.
Gonja human amongst his wheel in addition to dogs
Economy
The Gonja people engage inwards tillage of some fields amongst diverse kinds of millet in addition to some maize. The Nchumuru people in addition to some Gonjas also do some farming, but mainly hunt in addition to fish. The main production of commercial value is shea-butter which is soundless exported downward to the Coast in addition to which tin live found inwards every market, shaped similar a saccharide cone in addition to wrapped inwards leaves. Shea-butter is really slow to make, the fruit is roasted, pounded in addition to so boiled inwards large pots. The fatty which swims on top is the liquid shape of the product. In smaller quantities, sesame seeds are also exported from Gonja.
Gonja Girl
Religion
Gonja people are really religious. They are mostly Muslims in addition to Islamic worshipers brand upwards about 58% of the population.
Ancient Larabanga Mosque on Gonja land
Ethnic traditional organized religious belief worshipers constitute 38% of the Gonja population. The Gonjas has their belief inwards the Supreme Being, ‘Ebore’, nature spirits, in addition to traditional powers.
The remaining 4% of the Gonjas are Christians.
Gonja human dancing to Damba festival sounds
Tribal Marks
Gonja adult woman amongst facial tribal marks
The Gonjas take away hold no distinct tribal marks of their own. Everyone has a dissimilar mark, either on the chest, on the cheeks or on his arms. Some Gonjas take away hold a nighttime triangle tattooed betwixt their eyes in addition to ears.
The women take away hold an peculiarly large diverseness of tattoos on both cheeks. On some women I noticed deep elaborate markings on the neck, breast in addition to correct downward to the stomach. Especially favoured patterns are stars in addition to bows in addition to oftentimes (in conjunction amongst these) iii parallel lines.
Among the Gonja, chieftaincy occupies an of import identify inwards their lives. All Gonjas acknowledge ane paramount who resides inwards the hamlet of Yabum, the Yabumwura. Succession to chiefships is based on patrilineal descent. Such offices circulate amid the descendants of Ndewura Jakpa, the reputed founder of the state. The procedure involves rotation in addition to circulation betwixt hamlet gates. Gonja social club is non all the same alone patrilineal. Patrilateral in addition to matrilateral norms are at play inwards the affiliation of individuals to kin-groups. Kinship fosterage was skillful inwards the past times in addition to may go on to some extent.
Tourism Attractions
The East Gonja District every bit a whole has a potential for tourism development. The district is endowed amongst a lot of natural attractions, historic places in addition to cultural features that are of considerable involvement to tourists. Salaga, the district uppercase is famous for the purpose it played during the slave merchandise era every bit the main marketplace centre for slaves. The introduce township in addition to its surrounding villages take away hold a lot to depict what genuinely transpired inwards the past.
Although some of the artifacts of the slaves cannot live traced due to the ignorance of sure as shooting individuals, which has led to the devastation of these treasured items, quite a issue of them take away hold been preserved. The site for the actual marketplace identify soundless remains inwards Salaga. At this place, ane tin soundless abide by the huge baobab tree against which the slaves were chained.
Some of the shackles used inwards chaining these slaves tin live located at the Kpembeaur’s palace, most ane kilometer from Salaga. Most of the wells dug past times the slaves tin also live located inwards the diverse parts of the township.
Other attractions that tin live found inwards the town include the river where slaves were bathed before they were led into the town in addition to some other ane where dead bodies were deposited.
The traditional cultures of the people of the district are also an of import attraction to tourists.The Damba in addition to burn Festivals of the Gonja oftentimes associated amongst drumming in addition to dancing, attract a lot of people. Other attractions of involvement to tourists include traditional religious beliefs in addition to practices that prevail inwards some rural areas.
At Akamade, a hamlet across the Volta Lake, in that location be a footprint believed to live that of the married adult woman of Ndewura Jakpa, the neat warrior in addition to founder of the Gonjaland. Also at Lantinkpa, a hamlet inwards the northeastern component of the district, a similar grade attributed to the same someone tin live found.
The East Gonja has ane of the biggest slave markets inwards Republic of Ghana in addition to also the highest density of Hand-dug Wells used for the bathing of Slaves in addition to the Slave Raiders.
source:http://archive.lib.msu.edu
http://www.questia.com/library/102539893/history-and-traditions-of-the-gonja
Two Gonjas
Gonja People
It is indeed mutual historical cognition that the Gonjas or the larger Guan grouping were the first of all residents of the geographical surface area straightaway called Ghana. It is worthy to Federal Reserve notation that Gonja history has been recorded past times Islamic Scholars who were embedded inwards the Gonja regular army every bit it left ancient Mande inwards Republic of Mali in addition to travelled through Segu inwards Southern Republic of Mali in addition to approached the Bole surface area through La Cote d’Ivoire, the Sissala surface area in addition to Wa inwards modern Upper West.
Location inwards Country:Northern region, south; westward central, upper branches of Volta Lake area; Black Volta River to White Volta area, both sides.(Source: Ethnologue 2010)
Gonja adult woman wearing caput scarf
Language
The Gonja linguistic communication is a Kwa linguistic communication spoken past times an estimated 300,000 people, almost all of whom are of the Gonja ethnic grouping of northern Ghana. Gonja is related to Guan languages inwards the southward of Ghana, it is spoken past times most a 3rd of the population inwards the northern region.
Gonja kids
HISTORY
Several accounts of Gonja history take away hold been published, all of them based really largely on the corpus of oral tradition which Jones (1962) has called the 'Jakpa epic'. Jakpa, so the storey goes, was a mighty warrior 'from Mande', who fought his means across Gonja from westward to east, in addition to then, before he was killed inwards battle, shared out the lands which were his past times correct of conquest amid his sons. By the halt of his decease the introduce Gonja Traditional Area was established fully every bit a centralized province nether his sole leadership inwards 1675. The earliest recorded version of the Jakpa epic, inwards substantially its modern form, Is to live found inwards an Standard Arabic chronicle written inwards the 18901s (El-Wakkad in addition to WMks, 1962).
1. Kitab Ghunja version of Gonja History compiled In most 1751 (Wilks, 1966).
This go has been known for some fourth dimension inwards an English linguistic communication translation made xl years agone in addition to published later past times Goody (1954:). Several manuscripts take away hold been located over the in conclusion v years, in addition to a definitive edition is inwards preparation. It tin live shown past times reference to this go that the Jakpa epic In its electrical flow shape is a relatively recent development, summarizing something similar a century in addition to a one-half of early on Gonja history. For the sixteenth in addition to seventeenth century the Kitab itself based on oral tradition; but it is before than whatever other recorded version past times good over a hundred years, in addition to really much to a greater extent than coherent in addition to convincing.
The arrival inwards Gonja of the Ngbonyo, the immigrant rulers, is described inwards a department of the Kitab which has go detached from the main torso of the go but survives independently (Wilks, 1966). Naba, who was to live the first of all manly someone monarch of Gonja, had come upwards southward originally on a punitive expedition dispatched past times the 'Chief of Mande-Kabba against the trading-town of Begho. He so turned N to assault Buna, in addition to across the Black Volta Into western Gonja. Here he built a fortified army camp or stronghold called Yogbum. The Kitab Ghunja gives no dates every bit such for the early on kings, precisely the lengths of their reigns; dead-reckon Ing would set the starting fourth dimension of Naba`s reign at 1549-50. Wilks (1966) believes that this appointment may live besides early, past times every bit much every bit 50 years, pointing out that the reigns ascribed to these early on kings are on average much longer than those of the eighteenth century rulers.
On the early on history of the kingdom the Kitab has piddling to offer. Its author's main interest, non surprisingly, was amongst the conversion of the ruling dynasty to Islam early on In the reign of Mawura (1580-1599?). By that fourth dimension the uppercase of the Gbanya kingdom was at Buipe inwards cardinal Gonja, on ane of the trade-routes leading northwards from the margins of the forest. It may live possible to distinguish a stage of consolidation inwards the Buipe surface area followed past times a stage of rapid expansion to the due east in addition to north. By around 1600 Gonja had in all likelihood reached to a greater extent than or less its total extent. The adjacent phase, which the difficulties of communication .must
have made almost inevitable, was ane of progressive decentralization. In the Kitab this vogue is reflected inwards the passage dealing amongst the long reign of al-Lara (1623-1667), of whom it is said that 'he divided the
country of Gonja in addition to gave it to his brothers'. It seems that the divisional chiefdoms, originally perhaps appointive, had past times straightaway go vested In sure as shooting families which were, or which chose to think of themselves as, cadet branches of the Gbanya dynasty. In formally recognizing the divisional chiefs every bit his 'brothers', al-Lata was at to the lowest degree past times implication admitting himself every bit manly someone monarch to live precisely first of all amid equals.
This vogue at go inside the kingdom for the divisions to increase In powerfulness at the expense of the centre, compounded every bit it was amongst attacks from outside, led into a stage of rapid disintegration at the halt of the seventeenth century. The reign of al-Lata's boy Sulayman was remembered every bit a fourth dimension of continual war. He was deposed In 1689; in addition to a few years later, the Gbanya kingdom finally brutal apart amongst the outbreak of civil state of war In 1692.
Dr Forster Abu Sakara is a Gonja
The Kitab, though it is clear on the disastrous side-effects of the war, says null of the aims for which it was fought, or of the results it achieved. It seems apparent none the less that ane of its results, in addition to in all likelihood ane of its objectives, was to overthrow the powerfulness of the Buipe dynasty. By 1709 Gonja was on its means to recovery, organized straightaway on a confederate arrangement which, amongst modifications inwards detail, survives today (Goody, 1967). The uppercase was transferred to Nyanga inwards western Gonja, where Naba has built his war-camp, in addition to a paramount primary was installed in that location whose championship straightaway is Yagbumwura, but who seems originally to take away hold been called Gbinipewura. Seven of the divisions, Tuluwe, Kpembe in addition to Kong amid them, but for reasons which tin precisely live guessed at non Daboya, were made 'gates' to Yagbum; that is, their chiefs were eligible for advertisement to the paramountcy when it brutal vacant. The issue of 'gates' has varied amongst the course of didactics of time, but the primary of Buipe has ever been rigorously excluded. Though his seat fifty-fifty today is ane of considerable prestige, his political powerfulness is negligible.
2.History in addition to Traditions of the Gonja
By: J. A. Braimah; H. H. Tomlinson et al.
The go covers the flow from 1566/7 to 1711/12 during which fourth dimension in that location was a struggle betwixt ii groups of Mandinka, the Manwura in addition to his clan in addition to the Lata Ngbanya whose leader was Lata (Lanta) Jakpa, for power. Ndewura Jakpa who is good known every bit the founder of Gonja was the boy of Lata (Dii Ngoro) Jakpa. In Gonja nosotros take away hold the traditional drummers, the Kuntunkure in addition to the Mbontokurbi drummers, who recite verses which give the history of the people most peculiarly the exploits of the founder of the Gonja Empire, Ndewura Jakpa.The exploits of distinguished leaders or kings in addition to of private families, every bit given past times the drummers are, inwards many cases, the repetition of some well-worn saga, adding to it events inwards recent history, which contains a modicum of historical fact.
Gonja is ane of the lucky tribes which has had its history recorded past times Arab Muslims who accompanied them to this component of the world. According to Standard Arabic manuscript in addition to oral tradition, the Gonjas, who were originally Mandingo (Gonja Dingo-ebi), or Mandinka, migrated from the province of Mande, that is, from the Republic of Mali Empire, many years before the Hejra Year 1000.
Gonja missy from Buipe,Northern region,Ghana
The Mandingo forces that entered modern Republic of Ghana amongst all the other allies, besides numerous to bring upwards here, arrived nether the leadership of the leader of the Mandingo expeditionary forces from the old Songhai Empire inwards 1546. That was the climax of the Songhai Empire in addition to fifty-fifty though oral tradition on this is totally accurate, ane would human face that internecine tribal activities would take away hold led to movements of some groups from the centre of powerfulness or conflict. We should also Federal Reserve notation that the neat Askia Mohammed had been on the throne for thirty-five years past times 1528. Owing to Askia Mohammed’s sick wellness in addition to infirmity, his boy Musa in addition to his nephew Askia Bankouri in addition to yet some other boy Askia Ismail fought over powerfulness in addition to turned the throne into a political football. Instability inwards Songhai continued until the reign of Askia Daud which restored normalcy inwards the Kingdom around 1581.
In the course of didactics of these turbulent times at headquarters, the breakaway grouping inwards the diaspora was establishing herself firmly inwards introduce Gonjaland amongst the reign of Landa from 1546 to 1576.
Gonja chiefs
After Landa, Wam reigned for 19 years from 1576 to 1595. Chari reigned for xl years from 1595 to 1615, so followed Amoah (Alhaji Imoru Seidu) 1615 to 1634 in addition to so to Lanta Limu, 1634 to 1675; the manly someone parent of the legendary leader, Ndewura Jakpa. Indeed Lanta Limu abdicated inwards favour of Jakpa who reigned from1675 to 1697.
As Jakpa embarked on the conquest of the electrical flow vast Gonjaland in addition to fifty-fifty beyond, he cultivated the practise of installing his sons inwards what has come upwards to live known every bit divisions. These divisions which take away hold survived conflicts, European dominion in addition to fifty-fifty modern governance are Wasipe (Daboya), Kpembe, Bole, Tuluwe, Kong, Kadia in addition to Kusawgu. To this twenty-four hours the paramount chiefs who caput these divisions refer to the Yagbonwura every bit their father.
One of the oldest surviving documents written inwards an African linguistic communication is the Isnad of Al-Haji Muhamed from most A.D. 1736, a Gonja:
Kpembe's ntunpana appellation, which is the appellation of all Chiefs of Singbing is:
Asante kotoko The porcupine of Ashanti
[versus]
Singbinghene, brimpon The Sin barring king, the great
Wo na wa hwe ase It is he who when he falls
Na mpanini ba wu The elders volition die
okum apem You kill a one one thousand [of his men]
Na apem beba And a one one thousand volition come upwards [as reinforcement].
The Singbing menage unit of measurement are the straight descendants or unopen relatives of Ndewura Jakpa. Another Gonja ntunpana drum appellation is: 3
Kotoko Sin bra du The porcupine of Sin who brought a retinue
Sin bra du The Sin amongst a retinue
Amankwa And retainer of the state
Wo fro dua If yous intend to climb a tree
Wa hwe ase a If yous so fall
Na ya ma wu due You volition live sympathized with
Three Gonja proverbs refer to the Sin; they are:
1. Binypo luwe N'Sin-ba e la anyi The learned [people] We are one-half Sins [now]
2. Sin,kra 'nu Eseng-iipo ni kafong ko Sin, take away heed again; It is an informer who worries.
3. Sin Bey niya ? [What about] the Sin sovereign's (Bey) share?
Fa la dimadi If yous telephone telephone your-self a person,
A mink ba yuu so And yous take away hold no ane to rely on,
Esi jigo e la fo You are a foolish person.
The Gonjas were inwards the Songhay Empire in addition to were known to take away hold been at Dza, Jenne, Gao (Kawkaw), Fio, Say in addition to Sengu.
The Mbontokurbi travelling vocal of the Gonja leader Lata (Lanta) Jakpa is:
A stranger (toure) but he reigned;
Challenge to Manwu
He is forceful (kankang); but he reigned
Challenge to Manwu.
The hunting [warrior] king.
He ane time again licks, in addition to splashes away.
I am Dii Ngoro Jakpa,
The warrior king
Who follows the state of war trails.
Which people surrendered to an alien powerful prince?
It was the people of Gbirbi who surrendered to an alien powerful prince.
Which people surrendered to an alien powerful prince?
It was the people of Kachari who surrendered to an alien powerful prince.
He is the invading confiscator
The warrior leader (lan kpang)
He is the neat solitary wasp;
He captures princes in addition to turns them into slaves
And captures slaves
And turns them into princes
Behold the manly someone monarch who ascended hills [other sovereigns]
On his advance.
A wise human has to live amongst fools.
A rock does non walk
But it rolls.
Further evidence of the Gonja having come upwards from the far West is to live found inwards the titles of kings (chiefs) inwards the West Coast of the Atlantic in addition to N Africa such every bit "Burba" in addition to "Bey" used inwards the Kuntunkure in addition to Mbontokurbi drum verses. "Fari" in addition to "Si," which are titles of kings inwards the erstwhile Songhay Empire are also used inwards the drum verses.
"Bur-ba" is found inwards the Kuntunkure verses entitled "K'Borichulo," important "In Praise of God" inwards the stanza:
Mbong-bi Mo-ano so nchu
N ya sa Lanta Bur-ba;
Ne e so m bulo ngbine
A dese.
Meaning:
The streams [lieutenants] at the Mo boundary
Should confiscate the H2O [sovereignty]
And vest it inwards Lanta the Bur-ba
And he volition fill upwards his heart
And prevarication down.
Early Portuguese travellers exhibit that past times the middle of the fifteenth century the damel of Kojor, in addition to barak of Wula, the 10 of Baol, in addition to the "bur-bar-Salum" were independent of the "bur-bar-Jolof," although they recognised him a suzerain in addition to would seek his help every bit arbitrator.
"Bur" alone, without the "ba," is also used every bit the championship of manly someone monarch every bit inwards the Gonja titles "Bur Wura," "Bur Manwura," "Bur Lannyo," in addition to "Bur Kpembewura."
"Bey," which is the championship of a native ruler of Tunis, is found inwards the Gonja championship "Manwule Bey-so" "The sovereign (Bey) trapper of Manwule in addition to inwards 'Bey-so-bi'—The junior Bey (Sovereign) trapper" inwards the Kuntunkure drum poesy "Manwul Bey-so."
"Dey," which was the championship of a governor of Algiers before the French conquest of 1830 in addition to formerly the championship of a ruler of Tunis of Tripoli is found inwards the Gonja titles "Mo-Dey" (Mo sovereign) in addition to "Wang-Dey" (Dagomba sovereign) inwards the Kuntunkure in addition to Mbontokurbi drum verses.
"Fari" in addition to "fa" (abbreviation of "fari") are also used. Yagbongwura Nyantachi's championship is unremarkably known every bit "Nyantachi a'fari." In the Tuluwewura's Kuntunkure appellation, nosotros abide by inwards ane stanza the usage of the discussion "fa" for "sovereign."
Gonja people
During the flow of the neat Wolof province many small-scale chieftaincies had been formed amid the southern Serer. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 piddling before the first of all Portuguese arrived Mandinka, migrating from N'gabu (Portuguese Guinea) region, settled amid them in addition to took over the chieftaincies of Sin, Salum, Baol, Uli, Niani, in addition to N'gabu, which were linked past times diverse political ties amongst those of the Wolof. The ruling shape of Mande source (known every bit "gelowar" inwards Sin in addition to Selum in addition to "garmi" inwards Walo, Kajo, in addition to Baol) are said to take away hold been Muslims of a sort when they took over the Serer states, but they presently lost their Mande characteristics in addition to became pagan. The most of import Serer states were Sin situated on the correct banking company of the Salum river, in addition to Salum adjoining Sin inland, whose authorisation at ane fourth dimension extended to the River Gambia. The tiny Serer states of N'Dukuman, Kungeul, Pakalla, Mandak, Rip, Legem in addition to Niombato mostly paid allegiance to either Sin or Salum.
Greater inaugural was shown past times the Mande trading chemical constituent who were definitely Muslim in addition to spread Islam into upper Republic of Guinea in addition to the Upper Ivory Coast. This part is peopled past times Mandinka inwards the West (Beyla founded inwards 1763, Kankan c. 1690, Kurussa in addition to Odienne region) in addition to Senufo (Sienne or Sienamana) inwards the centre in addition to east. Other Mandinka migrations came from the west, from the Upper Niger in addition to upper Milo (Wasulonke, Futanke in addition to Dyomane). These immigrants were pagans, but the trading classes amid them were Muslims in addition to Muslim Mande spread over the regions of Kankan in addition to Beyla (in the due east of Guinea) in addition to inwards Odienne, Tuba, Man, Kong in addition to Segela (upper Ivory Coast), Wa in addition to Salaga (modem Ghana), in addition to inwards Mossi country.
The Mandingo Expedition to Bono Manso
At some fourth dimension betwixt 1550 in addition to 1575 the neat Askia Dawud of Songhay found that the supplies of gilt from the southern province were getting smaller. The main ground was that Akan gilt producers had begun selling some of their production to Portuguese in addition to other European traders along the Seaboard.
Askia Dawud accordingly dispatched a forcefulness of Mandinka armed cavalry to reckon what could live done. Dawud's armoured horsemen, the bulldozing tanks of these times, rode southward from the neighbourhood of Jenne until they reached the Black Volta curvature of modem Ghana.
These horsemen were the ancestors of the introduce twenty-four hours Gonjas. The Equus caballus riders were armed amongst swords in addition to atomic issue 26 spears. In state of war the horsemen acted every bit cavalry. The Gonjas discovered that cavalry could non operate inwards the dense wood where the Akan lived in addition to smelted gold.
The Kuntunkure traditional drummer inwards some of the verses he recites gives us some data most the battles fought including those fought amongst the Akan.
In the verses entitled "Chari," the Mo-wura's (Manwura) appellation, nosotros are informed that:
It was at Dja in addition to Kong towns that he [the Gonja leader Chari, or Saara]
went in addition to killed [defeated]
Limu, the Dja in addition to Kong towns hunter [warrior].
They were ii caput hunters [war leaders]
They bent in addition to discharged [guns in addition to arrows].
This was before he [Chari Manwura] came to Manwule,
Before he marched to Manwule Manso.
It was at Long's town [Long-Kuro] that he went in addition to killed Longoro
[god] Bori Pasai.
Chari Manwura (1595/6 [or 1593/4] to 1614/5
[or 1612/3])
As tin live seen from the extract quoted inwards a higher identify the Gonjas were traditionalist Mandingos in addition to were converted to Islam past times Mallam Mohamed Labayiru, who came to live known every bit Fati Morukpe, after their victory over the Kolo (Kawlaw) army. The Gonjas were partially converted in addition to take away hold remained nominal Muslims to this day, because the bulk of them soundless worship idols, in addition to it is a taboo upwards to this introduce day, inwards eastern Gonja at to the lowest degree where the Gonjas are to a greater extent than conservative, for a Gonja Chief to come inwards a Mosque to pray. The Gonjas were partially converted to Islam because they were impressed past times the miraculous routing of the enemy at Kawlaw in addition to wanted to maintain the Muslims to brand prayers unto Allah for them so that they could go on to win victory inwards all their wars. This would enable them to institute their ain Kingdom in addition to thereby increase their fortunes past times accumulating to a greater extent than worth.After their conversion Chari Manwura asked Mallam Mohammed Labayiru (Fati Morukpe) to convey service amongst him in addition to offering prayers for him unto Allah so every bit to divert mishaps in addition to evils which mightiness tend to bar his advance in addition to promised to vantage him if he were successful inwards his adventure. An understanding was made at the camp, which was sealed past times an oath taken on the Quran, binding both parties to maintain the agreement. The understanding was:
i. That Fati Morukpe should go amongst the Ngbanya (Gonja) regular army in addition to implore God for its success;
ii. That the articles of vantage comprising;
One hundred slaves (men in addition to women)
One hundred cattle,
One hundred horses,
One hundred donkeys,
One hundred sheep,
One hundred goats,
One hundred gowns,
Ndewura Jakpa (1675-97)
From the fourth dimension of the taking of the oath on the Qur'an opened upwards hostilities betwixt Chari Manwura in addition to Lata Dii Ngoro Jakpa ceased. In 1675/6 Lata Dii Ngoro Jakpa abdicated in addition to handed over the sovereignty to his boy who was given the championship of "Ndewura Jakpa." Lata Dii Ngoro Jakpa became Burrewura inwards 1634/5 in addition to hence sovereign of the Lata Ngbanya (Gonjas) for 41 years when he died inwards 1681/2. It was Ndewura Jakpa who expanded the Gonja Empire past times conquest. All the terra firma he conquered was Dagomba territory.
Limu, Manwura's blood brother who came after Amoah was soundless live at the fourth dimension Lata Jakpa(Burrewura) handed over his sovereignty to his boy Ndewura Jakpa. Limu had expected that he would take away hold succeeded Lata Jakpa. Sumaila Ndewura Jakpa the founder of the Gonja Kingdom was himself initially a trader from Malle or Made according to a source. At a dot inwards fourth dimension he became bankrupt. Just most the fourth dimension he had consulted a sure as shooting Mallam most his fortunes inwards life. The Mallam bluntly told Jakpa that fifty-fifty though he came from the imperial menage unit of measurement he would never ascend the throne. Instead, his fortune was inwards unusual lands, where he would attain rises in addition to would institute a kingdom for himself, his children in addition to followers. Jakpa was so convinced of the Mallam’s prophecy that he mobilized tens of thousands of fighting contingent in addition to other followers in addition to laid out around the sixteenth century.
From Mandi or Gizi, both sources affirm that Sumaila Ndewura Jakpa in addition to his regular army on reaching Jah, the first of all town of call, Jakpa came into contact amongst Fati Morukpe, a really powerful Mallam of the worn in addition to made friends amongst him. The Kpe inwards the Mallam’s call stands for his albino color in addition to features. Jakpa solicited his companionship for his impending adventures so that he would live an intermediary to offering prayers unto God so every bit to divert mishaps in addition to evil inwards his exploits. If the offering was accepted, Jakpa promised to pay a tribute of a hundred pairs of every domestic animate beingness including ane hundred slaves, cattle, horses, in addition to gowns. In the ensuring friendship that developed anywhere Jakpa conquered in addition to left behind a boy Fati Morukpe also replicated amongst a son. Fati Morukpe’s descendants straightaway shape the Nsuawura’s lineage inwards the Yagbonwura’s palace in addition to also shape the Sakpari (Mallam) department inwards every division.
Ndewura Jakpa began his conquests past times first of all moving westward from the Dibir province where his manly someone parent founded his state. On reaching Bole he was told of a sure as shooting powerful Fetish or Shrine Priest who must live overpowered at Mankuma,the uppercase of Gbipe (Buipe) before he could settle down. Consequently he marched on Mankuma, in addition to after a neat display of dark powerfulness in addition to exhibit of strength on both sides, he defeated the Fetish Priest in addition to planted his sis in addition to nephew there. The sis was afterwards given the championship Mankumawuriche (Mankuma Queen) in addition to the nephew Kakulasewura (meaning an eavesdropper to tap data from the Fetish Priest for Jakpa). Jakpa so over ran the Vagalla people who largely occupied the place. He marched through Sakpa into Ntereso-Gbanfu, western Gonja (the Bole Division). There was straightaway opened upwards hostility betwixt the Lata Ngbanya in addition to the Manwura's group, in addition to ane Sulemana became an active leader of the Manwura's people. Limu mightiness take away hold been besides old at that fourth dimension to live able to give effective leadership.
At Sakpa the elders of Bel (Bole), Mandari in addition to Gbenfu met Ndewura Jakpa in addition to surrendered to him. The town of Bel was renamed Bole important "Submission" inwards Gonja. After he had settled affairs inwards Bole in addition to appointed a primary (the Bolewura) for the surface area Ndewura marched north.
Jakpa straightaway pushed into the Wala province defeated them in addition to chose Nyanga every bit the uppercase of the conquered lands in addition to named it Gbinipowura-pe. He so partitioned the terra firma amid his sons whom he made chiefs to administer these areas. This Wala province included Kong in addition to Kandia areas.
Jakpa straightaway turned his attending on the Tampruma people on the Western banks of the White Volta River. These Tamprumas were subjects of the Dagomba Kings who appointed their representatives to administer the surface area in addition to also command the salt-making past times the natives inwards Burugu (later to live known every bit Daboya past times the Ngbanye). Jakpa went into combat amongst the Dagombas dislodging them on the western side in addition to followed them upwards to the Eastern side where in that location ensued a vehement battle in addition to really heavy casualy were suffered on both sides. In the halt the Dagombas were defeated in addition to their Kind Na Dariziogo slain. Many Dagomba towns were captured to include Gbirimani (Birimani), which came nether the jurisdiction of Kpembi in addition to Kasulyili nether the Wasipewura.
Ndewura Jakpa so placed Burugu (Daboya) nether the authorisation of his missy who accepted the championship Burugu-Wurche (Queen of Burugu). She was left amongst a small-scale garrison nether her command.
The strategic importance of Daboya to the Ngbanye in addition to also to the Dagbamba was inwards no dubiety because it was the gate-way to the western corridor of the nutrient producing province of the Tamplumas who incidentally were also a really brave fighting forcefulness who must live conquered in addition to assimilated strategically to deed every bit a buffer to Dagbamba expansion bid to the westward of the river. Beside Burugu/Daboya itself was economically in addition to socially of import due to the common salt making manufacture in addition to the resourcefulness of the river which earned the town its call Daboya (meaning our blood brother is amend than us).
These benefits indicated inwards a higher identify in addition to other factors urged the Dagbambas to go on to brand persistent state of war machine incursions into Daboya in addition to surrounding villages. This necessitated the removal of the Wasipewura past times Jakpa from Wasipe inwards the Bole surface area to Daboya to reinforce the garrison in addition to command the salt-making industry. The Daboya primary continued to live called Wasipewura to this day.
Meanwhile Jakpa had conquered the Biegas (Beso Nsoko of the Banda people) after initial resistance before making in-road into the Bole surface area every bit mentioned earlier. And from Bole Jakpa also penetrated Bamboi surface area where the Mos easily submitted themselves to his authorisation past times presenting him amongst 30 Kegs of gun-powder without a fight.
Jakpa in addition to his men straightaway pushed eastward betwixt the White in addition to Black Volta river routing Kahu (Laribanga) in addition to the large town of Kurase, South-West of Damongo mostly occupied past times a department of the Dagbamba. From in that location Jakpa traversed to Kaniamase the uppercase of the so Kania people in addition to captured the town in addition to inwards the procedure killed their manly someone monarch at the palace in addition to renamed Kaniamase (Gbipe or Buipe).
The regular army straightaway marched on Mpaha in addition to encountered the Debre people, a vehement battle ensued at Kapiese nigh Mpaha inwards which the N’nyamase were conquered. Jakpa proceeded to Tuluwe through Tamanklan (a identify Jakpa rested before crossing the river in addition to inwards the procedure forgetting his mat on which he rested hence the village’s derivation of its name). From in that location he came to Nyilalan in addition to met the Apere (Apir) people of Tuluwe surface area (Singbin) in addition to over ran them.
He continued towards Kafaba in addition to spell soundless on the Western side of the Black Volta the leader of the town sent to run into Jakpa inwards advance amongst peace overtures in addition to sending drinking H2O consisting of mashed Fura in addition to fermented porridge drinking H2O in addition to honey. Jakpa inwards appreciation of the leader’s overtures reciprocated past times promoting him every bit peace-maker past times giving him a blanket, redcap in addition to a scepter every bit a symbol of authorisation for he the Kafabawura to take away hold the powerfulness in addition to authorisation to evoke peace in addition to settle or reconcile whatever feuding parties or misunderstanding arising thereof inwards whatever component of Gonja amongst his presence.
At Kafaba Jakpa met a thriving cola-nut merchandise market. From in that location he subdued all the inhabitants along the means to Salaga which was so inhabited past times the Nanumba people. The Nanumbas were driven away in addition to kola merchandise transferred from Kafaba to Salage which later became an emporium for the slave merchandise in addition to other products.
Gonja boy
The Gonjas however, moved a piddling out of Salaga in addition to built Kpembe town.
Jakpa’s insatiable spirit of conquest in addition to terra firma presently drove him ane time again eastward to conquer the Kpamkpamba in addition to Bassari people. He took prisoners in addition to captured thousands of oxen, sheep in addition to goats.
The captives taken were planted betwixt Nchumuru, Salaga in addition to Nanumba to till the terra firma in addition to provide the Kpembiwura amongst foodstuffs.
To consolidate his handle in addition to also identify a cheque on the Dagbamba expansion bid southward of Tamale, Jakpa’s 5th boy living amongst his senior blood brother Tuluwewura Abass was so equipped in addition to went in addition to took Kasugu from the Dagbambas past times conquest.
After years of residual Jakpa contemplated fighting the Asante but his men murmured owing to fatique of war. He later defied them despite warnings against fighting the Asantes. He crossed the Volta River towards Yeji to Kabako in addition to encountered the Asantes. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 raging battle so took identify inwards which Jakpa was shot inwards the talocrural articulation in addition to mortally wounded. Before his decease Jakpa instructed that his torso live sent to Mankuma the sister’s identify for burial.
On reaching Aburumase (meaning I am straightaway weak in addition to dying) he was really sick indeed. When they got to Trekpa (I take away hold straightaway reached my end) he died.
On reaching Gbipe straightaway spelt Buipe (Gbi important heavy or weight load) the corpse was getting bad he was hence interred in that location (Gbipe).
Since it was Jakpa’s limited wishing to convey his concluding residual at the sister’s identify of abode at Mankuma, it has go customary since so for all Yagbonwuras to live entombed at Mankuma, a hamlet on the main Sawla-Bole road.
The successor it was decided should live a prince or primary amongst large house-hold in addition to enough followers. The Chief of Kong was elected. Hence the tow Nyanga is called “Yagbon” i.e. “big household” in addition to thus became the call of the peel in addition to championship “Yagbonwura”.
It was non until 1944 that the uppercase of the Ngbanye was moved from Nyanga to Damongo.
It volition live noticed that before Sumaila Ndewura Jakpa’s exploited in addition to conquests of the introduce twenty-four hours Gonja v (5) other kings had ascended the throne inwards the introduce Gonja area. Jakpa conquered them in addition to became the first of all Ngbanye king, every bit confirmed past times Mr. Blair below:
Mr. Blair, inwards an endeavour to compare the histories of the Dagbamba in addition to Ngbanye kingdoms writes, “In the erstwhile the Dagbamba came inwards every bit a tribe or grouping of clans, slew many of the Tindanas in addition to impressed their linguistic communication on the people of the land, aboriginal Grunshi in addition to Guan, or driving them out every bit inwards the example of the Konkombas, etc.
“On the other hand, from the evidence at hand, the Kagbanyewere a mere raiding band of Mandingo stock, who conquered the Guan, Vagalla in addition to Apir countries but owing to their small-scale numbers could do no to a greater extent than than institute a ruling dynasty over adopting Guan, the linguistic communication of ane of the conquered tribes. The precisely evidence of their source is inwards the few Mandingo words straightaway surviving inwards the Gbanya language.”
Ghana`s President John Dramani Mahama is a Gonja
Sulemana Jakpa (1697-1709)
When inwards exile Sulemana 32 styled himself (Jakpa) the King of Yagbong in addition to his settlement inwards Atebubu was a province nether the primary of Mampong. Carl Christian Reindorf inwards his mass The History of the Gold Coast in addition to Ashanti (p. 83; 2nd edn.) described this small-scale Gonja settlement in addition to states:
As already mentioned, Opoku Ware during the whole of his reign was actively engaged inwards completing in addition to strengthening the conquests of his predecessors inwards the N in addition to north-east countries. The Nta province so governed past times the King of Yebo (Yabong), a nominal province of Mampong, Owusu Sakyere of Mampong, who had accuse of the province, sent messengers in that location to levy men for sacrifice to his belatedly father; but the King of Yebo refused to permit it. Owusu Sekyere appealed to the King Opoku in addition to state of war was declared against the Ntas. Opoku, every bit usual, seized his opportunity, marched his regular army in that location in addition to subdued the whole country.
Sulemana married an Ashanti adult woman in addition to some of the children he had amongst her were, Asantewa, Kofi Gyedu in addition to Ko Agyapo. This is why the Ashanti King is described inwards the Kuntunkure poesy Bowlong quoted inwards a higher identify every bit the orphan's (Sulemana) "mother-in-law."
The call "Nta" was given to the Gonjas past times the Ashantis mayhap because of the bow (and arrows) amongst which Ndewura Jakpa was associated. The bow inwards Gonja is called "K'ta." Another ground may live that in that location were twin (two) Kings of Gonja at the fourth dimension forming a condominium.
Sulemani Kpatakpari
Sulemani Kpatakpari 42 is mentioned inwards iii dissimilar songs inwards Gonja. During the damba ceremony the women singers telephone telephone "Sulemani Kpatakpari to come upwards out in addition to trip the low-cal fantastic damba," at most 4 a.m. that is the fourth dimension Kpembewura is expected to come upwards out of his chemical compound to convey component inwards the dancing.
The Dagomba drum beaters volition give whatever primary whose call is Sulemana the appellation of Sulemana ben Dawudu (Sulemana boy of Dawud). It is of course, hard to say what connectedness Sulemana had amongst Askia Dawud who dispatched Mandinka cavalry, the founders of introduce Gonja, to Bono Manso to reckon what could live done most stopping the Akan gold-producers from selling some of their production to Portuguese in addition to other European traders along the seaboard.
Gonja human wearing traditional talisman cap
1. KPANA
Kpanaliumni is the Gonja hunters trip the low-cal fantastic which is performed when a hunter kills a large animate beingness such every bit the roan, hartebeeste, buffalo, Panthera leo or leopard, or when a neat hunter dies. Kpana tin live said to live the funeral trip the low-cal fantastic of a reputed hunter. "Hunter" is a metaphor for "warrior" inwards the Kuntunkure drum verses. The Kpana trip the low-cal fantastic is opened past times the vocal "Sulemani salamalaikum" (Sulemana Salutations). Most Gonja songs are inwards proverbs in addition to so are the Kpana songs. The literal translation of Sulemani salamalaikum is every bit follows:
Sulemana offers salutations;—by soloist
Saluations are unwelcomed—Chorus
It is a stranger who is called "some body;"
Salutations are unwelcomed.
Tuluuwewura Abbass (and the Supposed Interregnal Period 1697-1709)
Ndewura Jakpa's boy was dead in addition to so his blood brother Limu succeeded him. 34 Limu reigned for precisely ii months. One Saywura (Senyonwura Lannyo) succeeded Limu in addition to ruled for precisely viii months. Because Ndewura Jakpa was buried at Gbipe, the Lata Ngbanya decided to brand the town their headquarters also, in addition to it was hither that both Limu in addition to Senyonwura Lannyo were installed Kings. Senyonwura Lannyo was driven out of Gbipe past times the Ashantis who had installed Sulemana every bit their protégé.
Senyonwura Lannyo returned to western Gonja in addition to built the town of Bur'wurpe betwixt Senyon, Nyanga in addition to Mankuma where he settled. He assumed the championship of "Burlannyo," that is, "Burre Wura Lannyo," because he was non straightaway inwards active command of the Gonjas every bit sovereign; he was retired.
Tuluwewura Abbass, who was the boy of Lanta (Lata-Dii Ngoro Jakpa) became the leader of the Lata Ngbanya (Gonja) when Lannyo was driven out of Gbipe but he was non installed King.
When the Tuluwe chiefship was created the Tuluwewura (Abbass was the first of all Tuluwewura) was stationed at Binyalipe, a identify non far from Gbipe, amongst instructions to maintain an optic on the Gbipe sovereigns. These instructions take away hold go the Tuluwewura's Kuntunkure appellation in addition to the literal translation of the poesy entitled "Ka lii Chari," important "Chari's vanquisher" is:
[This is the] domicile of the deserted Ngbanya [Gonjas],
Vanquisher of Chari.
Matters are pending,
The Gbipewura in addition to the Kagbapewura
When Sulemana Jakpa died, the Gbipewura became the Wurkong (non‐ active Regent) whilst effective command of the province was inwards the hands of Tuluwewura Abbass who was the de facto Regent until his enrollment every bit King inwards 1709. Gbipewura was the keeper of Jakpa's grave so he was revered past times all the Gonja Chiefs. Abbass was killed past times the Tonawa (Ashantis) in addition to his funeral was performed inwards Gbipe where all the chiefs assembled to elect a novel King.
Gonja chiefs lying downward performing a traditional dance
After the funeral Kpembewura Mahama Labayiru was elected in addition to installed Yagbongwura. Gbipewura found his seat weak because of the numerical strength of the Lata Ngbanya in addition to he hence conceded defeat. He had to say something 37 to the novel King during his installation, but because he was angry in addition to disappointed he would non go personally to verbalise to him in addition to hence sent his twin brother, the Kagbapewura to go in addition to deliver his instruction. The Gbipewura's appellation inwards the Kuntunkure drum verses, is entitled "Dinkeri Wam‐ mu" (Dinkeri, Head of Wam's family). He the Gbipewura was straightaway similar the manly someone monarch of Denkyera who was defeated past times the Ashantis who were formally subjects of the Denkyeras. The literal translation of the poesy is:
I am [now like] Dinkeri,
[I am]
The caput of Wam's family.
I homecoming to towns [to reconquer] every bit the feminine Chari [Sulemana] did.
When my deceased grand-uncle slackened,
His comrade was the Black-smith [Jakpa], the Dagomba Dey.
Gonja human amongst his wheel in addition to dogs
Economy
The Gonja people engage inwards tillage of some fields amongst diverse kinds of millet in addition to some maize. The Nchumuru people in addition to some Gonjas also do some farming, but mainly hunt in addition to fish. The main production of commercial value is shea-butter which is soundless exported downward to the Coast in addition to which tin live found inwards every market, shaped similar a saccharide cone in addition to wrapped inwards leaves. Shea-butter is really slow to make, the fruit is roasted, pounded in addition to so boiled inwards large pots. The fatty which swims on top is the liquid shape of the product. In smaller quantities, sesame seeds are also exported from Gonja.
Gonja Girl
Religion
Gonja people are really religious. They are mostly Muslims in addition to Islamic worshipers brand upwards about 58% of the population.
Ancient Larabanga Mosque on Gonja land
Ethnic traditional organized religious belief worshipers constitute 38% of the Gonja population. The Gonjas has their belief inwards the Supreme Being, ‘Ebore’, nature spirits, in addition to traditional powers.
The remaining 4% of the Gonjas are Christians.
Gonja human dancing to Damba festival sounds
Tribal Marks
Gonja adult woman amongst facial tribal marks
The Gonjas take away hold no distinct tribal marks of their own. Everyone has a dissimilar mark, either on the chest, on the cheeks or on his arms. Some Gonjas take away hold a nighttime triangle tattooed betwixt their eyes in addition to ears.
The women take away hold an peculiarly large diverseness of tattoos on both cheeks. On some women I noticed deep elaborate markings on the neck, breast in addition to correct downward to the stomach. Especially favoured patterns are stars in addition to bows in addition to oftentimes (in conjunction amongst these) iii parallel lines.
Among the Gonja, chieftaincy occupies an of import identify inwards their lives. All Gonjas acknowledge ane paramount who resides inwards the hamlet of Yabum, the Yabumwura. Succession to chiefships is based on patrilineal descent. Such offices circulate amid the descendants of Ndewura Jakpa, the reputed founder of the state. The procedure involves rotation in addition to circulation betwixt hamlet gates. Gonja social club is non all the same alone patrilineal. Patrilateral in addition to matrilateral norms are at play inwards the affiliation of individuals to kin-groups. Kinship fosterage was skillful inwards the past times in addition to may go on to some extent.
Tourism Attractions
The East Gonja District every bit a whole has a potential for tourism development. The district is endowed amongst a lot of natural attractions, historic places in addition to cultural features that are of considerable involvement to tourists. Salaga, the district uppercase is famous for the purpose it played during the slave merchandise era every bit the main marketplace centre for slaves. The introduce township in addition to its surrounding villages take away hold a lot to depict what genuinely transpired inwards the past.
Although some of the artifacts of the slaves cannot live traced due to the ignorance of sure as shooting individuals, which has led to the devastation of these treasured items, quite a issue of them take away hold been preserved. The site for the actual marketplace identify soundless remains inwards Salaga. At this place, ane tin soundless abide by the huge baobab tree against which the slaves were chained.
Some of the shackles used inwards chaining these slaves tin live located at the Kpembeaur’s palace, most ane kilometer from Salaga. Most of the wells dug past times the slaves tin also live located inwards the diverse parts of the township.
Other attractions that tin live found inwards the town include the river where slaves were bathed before they were led into the town in addition to some other ane where dead bodies were deposited.
The traditional cultures of the people of the district are also an of import attraction to tourists.The Damba in addition to burn Festivals of the Gonja oftentimes associated amongst drumming in addition to dancing, attract a lot of people. Other attractions of involvement to tourists include traditional religious beliefs in addition to practices that prevail inwards some rural areas.
At Akamade, a hamlet across the Volta Lake, in that location be a footprint believed to live that of the married adult woman of Ndewura Jakpa, the neat warrior in addition to founder of the Gonjaland. Also at Lantinkpa, a hamlet inwards the northeastern component of the district, a similar grade attributed to the same someone tin live found.
The East Gonja has ane of the biggest slave markets inwards Republic of Ghana in addition to also the highest density of Hand-dug Wells used for the bathing of Slaves in addition to the Slave Raiders.
source:http://archive.lib.msu.edu
http://www.questia.com/library/102539893/history-and-traditions-of-the-gonja
Two Gonjas
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