The Nanumba people are an ethnic group whose traditional homeland is in the southeast of the Northern Region of Ghana. They speak Nanugli (var. Nanuni), a Gur language.[2][3]

Nanumba people
Total population
78,812 (2000)
Languages
Nanugli, French
Religion
Islam, Christianity, Traditionalism
Related ethnic groups
Mole-Dagbon people

Geography

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As of 2000, population of the Nanumba in Ghana were estimated at 78,812.[1]

Though Nanumba constitute a homogeneous cultural and linguistic group, they are closely related to the Dagomba to the north and east and the Mamprusi further to the north, and more-remotely to the Mossi of Burkina Faso. Traditionally the originating ancestors of the paramount chiefly lines of the former three brothers, and the Mossi paramounts descended from a daughter of the Mamprusi line. Published references include quoted statements of Mampruli speakers: Ti ŋmampurisi, Yooba, Naanumma ni Moosi piiligu nyɛ la Kyama maa "The origin of us Mamprusi, Dagomba and Nanumba was in Chama",[3] Ti zaa nyɛ la yimmu "We are all one. (Mamprusi, Dagomba, Nanumba)"[4] and discussion in [passim].[5]

The capital town of the Nanumba is Bimbilla, a small town which serves as the capital of Nanumba North Municipal in the Northern Region of Ghana.[6] It is also the capital of the Nanumba State and the seat of the Overlord of Nanumba, the Bimbilla Naa.[7]

Traditional authority

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The highest level in the traditional hierarchy, referred to in English as the 'Paramount Chief' or sometimes 'King', is the last court of appeal for all disputes at lower levels: between paramounts there was no recourse other than war. The subjects of a Paramount Chief constitute an ethnic group or 'tribe'. In this system the Bimbilla Naa with his seat at Bimbilla is the Paramount Chief of the Nanumba ethnic group.[8] The area occupied by the Nanumba is known as Nanung. It was founded by Gmantambo, a son of Naa Gbewaa. The leopard is the emblem of the area, and the seat of the Bimbilla Naa is called the Gmantambo Palace. The Nanumba have a particularly close relationship with the Dagomba, but the larger group have rarely exercised direct power over them.[9]

In modern Ghana there is a House of Chiefs where traditional matters have a forum at the level of the nation state.[10]

Religion

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Islam is the most-practised and characteristic religion of the Nanumba and the Dagomba, the Nanumba less-so than the Dagomba, though many people also consult non-Muslim diviners and give offerings to ancestral and other shrines.[11] There are a few Christians, mostly Roman Catholics.[12]

Festivals

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Besides the two Islamic festivals; Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, the Nanumba celebrate Bugum Chugu, Damba and Naa Jigli festivals.[13][14][15]

References

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  1. ^ a b Alhassan Sulemana Anamzoya & Steve Tonah (2012). "Chieftaincy Succession Dispute in Nanun, Northern Ghana: Interrogating the Narratives of the Contestants". Ghana Journal of Geography. 4: 83–101.
  2. ^ A. K. Awedoba (2010). An Ethnographic Study of Northern Ghanaian Conflicts: Towards a Sustainable Peace : Key Aspects of Past, Present, and Impending Conflicts in Northern Ghana and the Mechanisms for Their Address. African Books Collective. p. 321. ISBN 9789988647384.
  3. ^ a b Wundow, Salifu [2nd. edn.] p.1 (2004). ŋmampurugu Piiligu Yala. G.I.L.L.B.T.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  4. ^ Drucker-Brown, Susan (1975). Ritual aspects of the Mamprusi kingship. Leiden : Afrika-Studiecentrum v.8. OCLC 2184368.
  5. ^ St John-Parsons, D (1958). Legends of Northern Ghana. London, New York, Longmans, Green. OCLC 3803111.
  6. ^ "8 persons arrested over Bimbilla clashes". Graphic.com.gh. GhanaWeb. 11 July 2015. Retrieved January 15, 2016.
  7. ^ Cheater, Angela (2003). The Anthropology of Power: ASA Monographs. Routledge. p. 224. ISBN 9781134650484.
  8. ^ Mohammed, Sulemana (August 2009). "Understanding the Causes and Impacts of Conflicts in the Northern Region of Ghana" (PDF). Ghana Policy Journal. 3 (4): 110–140.
  9. ^ Attah, Hajia Salamatu Nantogmah (11 July 2014). "The Bimbilla chieftaincy struggle: what we must know". Ghanaweb.com. Retrieved February 8, 2016.
  10. ^ Iddrisu, Farouk Adam (2 August 2014). "Unanswered questions on the Bimbilla chieftaincy issue". Ghanaweb.com. Retrieved February 8, 2016.
  11. ^ "Nanumba North District". Ghanadistricts.gov. 2006. Retrieved February 8, 2016.
  12. ^ "NANUMBA NORTH DISTRICT" (PDF). Ghana Statistical Service. 2014. p. 82. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 7, 2015. Retrieved February 8, 2016.
  13. ^ Bonsu, Abigail (1 February 2013). "Damba festival comes off successfully". Zakaria Alhassan. Retrieved January 15, 2016.
  14. ^ "Fire Festival update: Truck kills reveler; man butchered; 15 injured after gun violence". Myjoyonline.com. October 25, 2015. Retrieved January 15, 2016.
  15. ^ Zadok Kwame Gyesi & Suweiba Yakubu (2 October 2015). "Bimbilla celebrates Naa Jigli". Graphic.com.gh. Retrieved January 15, 2016.