Dagbon History
30th October, 2015.
Experiencing the Northern Region of Ghana through individual stories
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| Abdul-Hak |
Bio
Abdul-Hak is a student, a Muslim, a proud Manchester United fan and a proud Tamale boy. He tweets at @Deerok4
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Dasiba...Ansumaa...Ni Ti Maasim.....Good morning everyone I greet you from my room in Wa #CurateTamale
I am Iddriss Abdul-Hak a young man in his 20s and a 3rd year student of the University for Development Studies...#CurateTamale
I study sociology,history and political science.All my life have been lived in the North from Primary to University #CurateTamale
So for that I have so much interest in what happen in the North because dont just consider it as a place I see the North Home #CurateTamale
Don't think I'm a bigot but I must admit that when we talk Ghana I have so much attachment to the North and Tamale #CurateTamale
Let me go out there and catch some koko (Porridge) and bread so I can continue with #CurateTamale
As a student of politics and history,I'll like to talk more about the linkage between the North and Ghana politics #CurateTamale
Let's focus on the Dagbon political system which has chieftaincy at the top
The Dagban chieftaincy system dates back from the days of Naa Nyagsi the scion is Shitobu and Grandson Naa Gbewaa
In Dagban like many Northen tribes,Chiefs are enskinned and every One of royal blood is qualified to be a chief....#CurateTamale
Dagban has a hierarchical chieftaincy system with the Yaa Naa at the paramountcy heading the day to day administration of the Kingdom
There are two main chieftaincies in Dagaban1.Royal-Reserved strictly for royals
2.Non-Royals-Usually on merit and appointment #CurateTamale
The royal division also has 4 sub divisions
1Reserved for children of the Yaa Naa
2Grandsons of the Yaa Naa
3Daughters of the Yaa Naa....
...4 Elders in the court of the Yaa Naa
Under each of the 4 divisions comes with specific places and responsibilities #CurateTamale
We now outline places where each division can be a chief.For the Sons of the Yaa Naa we have;Mion,Savelugu,Karaga,Katinga...#CurateTamale
...Tampion,Sagnerigu,Kunkon,Dimong,Gbungaliga,Zundoli,Sang,Tugu,Zoli,Sung,Pisogu,KpangKpano.Forgive my spelling tho #CurateTamale
It must be noted that in the towns mentioned earlier modern day has allowed the to be shared between both sons and grandsons of the Yaa Naa
The Dagban political system is very gender sensitive and has made way for women to participate in decision making contrary to popular views
There are towns meant for the daughters of the Yaa Naa and they are;Gundogu,Kpatuya,Nakpanzo,Kugulogu,Shilung,Yimahagu,Warigbani...
...Yiwogu,Fuyaa,Saaseyili and Didoge these are all towns (very big) strictly for daughters of the Yaa Naa.Where else can you get this?!
For the Non-royals;Gushiegu,Kugu,Zabzugu,Woribogu,Salankpang,Nyankpala,Dalun,Langa,Kasuliyili,Yeziegu,Zandua,Diyali,Singa,Tolon#CurateTamale
Still on the non-royals,Nanton,Kumbungu,Choggu,Gukpegu and foo #CurateTamale
So how is the Dagban political system structured?! Does it have a relations with modern day government?! Is there democracy and rule of law
The Dagban political system unlike the modern one has the Yaa Naa as the figurehead of the executive,judicial and legislative branches...
Despite all these powers he can still be removed and still has to consult his court before anything final can be made #CurateTamale
Let's take a look at how its structured (both executive and legislative powers);Yaa Naa
Karaga Naa
Yoo Naa
Mion Lana
Nakpali Naa...
...
Demong Naa
Gushie Naa
Yelizoli Lana
Gukpe Naa
Nanton Naa
Sunson Naa
Tolon Naa
Kumbun Naa
Kugu Naa
Zohi Naa
Balo Naa
Kum Lana...
...Malle
Bunnga
Gagbindana
Kpahagu
Gullana
Chereponi fame
Tuguri nam
Are those who make the Dagban cabinet #CurateTamale
Now let's look at those who constitute the judicial system;
Yaa Naa (Head)
Kugu Naa (deputy)
Zohi Naa
Balo Naa
Kum Lana
Bunnga....
..Gagbindana
Malle
Kpahigu
Gullana
Tuɣuri Nam
These are those who constitute the judiciary and are also king makers #CurateTamale
Many people still think Dagombas are conservative and they're so strict about their culture but this revelation will shock you...
In as recent as 1986 Dagban reviewed it's culture to allow Chiefs of smaller towns and women were allowed representation in the court...
Some of the new additions were the;
Tijo Naa
Gomle
Wonchogu Naa and for the women
Gundo Naa
Shilung Naa and
Saaseyili Naa #CurateTamale
How then is the Yaa Naa(Over Lord) selected?Tihi Ni Morilana (owner of the forests) Zug'saa Ni tingban Lana (Owner of the heaven and earth)
Long ago during the early days of Dagban history,kings emerged by waging wars against incumbents but this ended long..yes very long time
The second method is by name calling were princes will have their names called,the nicest name is chosen...Eg Naa Zanjina's case
The most appropriate and widely used is divination but when contradictions set in between the various soothsayers,the king makers vote
The principal kingmakers of Dagban are;The Kugu Naa,Gushie Naa,Gomli and the Tugri Nam.It should be noted that the Kugu Naa has no vote
The chosen one will move from various places after being sought after by king makers.First from the TikubNaa to the Zoyilana then to Gbewaa
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