A Drummer's Testament
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Naa Shitɔbu and Naa Nyaɣsi; the usurpation of the tindanas: the establishment of chieftaincies in the towns; Dagbamba relationships to Mamprusi, Mossi, Nanumba, and other cultural groups in the region; listing the line of the Yaa-Naas
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Supplementary material
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Contents outline and links by paragraph
Naa Shitɔbu and the founding of Dagbon; the original inhabitants of the region
- 1. Naa Shitɔbu the one from whom Yendi chieftaincy started; first Yaa-Naa by name
- 2. Dagbamba came and met people; Tiyaawumiya people were before them
- 3. Kaluɣsi who became Zabaɣ' kparba, Dagban' sabli; those who stayed have become Dagbamba
- 4. example: if John has children with a Dagbana woman, the children will be Dagbamba
Naa Nyaɣsi's war against the tindanas; the starting of chieftaincies in the towns
- 5. Naa Nyaɣsi waged war against the tindanas; Naa Shitɔbu talked to Naa Nyaɣsi to gather people
- 6. how Naa Shitɔbu counseled Naa Nyaɣsi to prepare for war
- 7. Naa Shitɔbu appointed his brother Kuɣa-Naa to look after Naa Nyaɣsi; gathered Naa Shitɔbu's brothers and elders and their children
- 8. Gaa the first town; Naa Nyaɣsi appointed Gaa-Naa Tuuviɛlgu; called a son
- 9. the tindanas ran away; Naa Nyaɣsi put a follower as chief; Naa Nyaɣsi made Dagbon stand
- 10. those who followed are called sons of Naa Nyaɣsi; list of Naa Gbewaa's children and their chieftaincies
- 11. list of Naa Nyaɣsi's “children” and their chieftaincies
How drummers praise “children” of chiefs; explanation of discrepancies in calling names
- 12. drummers use the names of Naa Nyaɣsi's children to praise the towns; Savelugu's name
- 13. Naa Nyaɣsi's followers who became chiefs are praised as his children
- 14. Naa Nyaɣsi's first-born discrepancies with Naa Zulandi and Gaa-Naa Tuuviɛlgu
- 15. Naa Nyaɣsi's followers are his children because they followed him to war
- 16. example: John is taken as Alhaji Ibrahim's son because following him in work
- 17. Naa Nyaɣsi's followers who became chiefs were not his actual children
- 18. some Yendi chiefs or other chiefs, can take brother's or sister's child as the zuu
- 19. if chief is old or impotent, the children of his wives are still taken as his children
- 20. Yaa-Naa's child who dies is given a chieftaincy name by Yendi drummers; other towns' drummers won't know; differences in extent of knowledge
- 21. Dagbon has two sides: Toma and Naya; drummers learn praises of towns nearby
- 22. Yendi has moved from former location; many towns also moved
Bagli and Yɔɣu traditions
- 23. stories about Naa Nyaɣsi's succession of Naa Shitɔbu; Naa Shitɔbu died at Bagli
- 24. traditions at Bagli when a Yaa-Naa dies; dead chiefs go there
- 25. similar traditions at Yɔɣu; Naa Nyaɣsi gave chieftaincy to Naa Zulandi and went to Yɔɣu
- 26. stories about Naa Nyaɣsi's chieftaincy; creating wells; died at Yɔɣu
Assimilation of the tindanas
- 27. Dagbon not standing well; no tindanas to make sacrifices; chiefs suffer madness
- 28. the tindanas returned and aligned with chiefs to make sacrifices; pre-Islamic customs remain
- 29. chiefs are close to tindanas from starting; most are not deeply into Muslim religion
Dagbamba's relationships to the cultural groups of northern Ghana
- 30. Naa Nyaɣsi's time, the starting of Dagbamba chieftaincy; senior to Mamprusis and Nanumbas; relations to Mossis; connection of Walas and Dagartis through Naa Zokuli
- 31. “playmates” with Mamprusis, Nanumbas, Mossis; relations to Gurumas and Yaansi
- 32. stories of Guruma origins of drumming from Bizuŋ, Naa Nyaɣsi's son; eldership of Gurumas
- 33. Mossis relationship shown during Fire Festival; Mossis get grandchild's gift
- 34. Dagbamba are close to Mamprusis; Yaa-Naa and Mamprugulana dispute seniority
- 35. Namo-Naa: Frafras, Talensis, Kusasis were under the Mamprusis; mixed
- 36. Tampolensis, Kantonsis have similar language to Dagbani and Mampruli; Kantonsis close to Mamprusis; Zantansis their own tribe
- 37. all these groups and black Dagbamba are one tribe; have similar languages
- 38. relationship of Dagbamba to Upper Region people except Gurunsis; Chekosis and Bimobas no relationship; Builsas, Lobis no relationship; Kotokolis, Dandawas, Zambarimas are related; Bassaris and Chembas have similar languages
- 39. Konkombas: under Bimbila-Naa; original inhabitants in eastern Dagbon; related to Bassaris and Chembas
- 40. Konkombas are part of Yaa-Naa's line; mothers of Yaa-Naas; merging with Dagbamba
- 41. Chembas and Bassaris: no relationship
- 42. Gonjas: no relation; fought wars; typical Gonjas similar to Dagban' sabli; under the real Gonjas who came to that place
- 43. don't know how many people were originally in Dagbon; Kaluɣsi people may be Dagban' sabli and Zabaɣ' kparba
- 44. the Kaluɣsis ran away; had much land; became “typical” Gonjas; Zabaɣsi a modern name for Gonjas
- 45. Gonjas living as friends but have different way of living; less farming; Dagbamba no relation to Vagalas
- 46. Dagbamba invaders may not have been many; Dagbani is a regional language
- 47. summary: related to Mamprusis, Frafras, Talensis, Tampolensis, Zantansis, Kantonsis; also Walas and Dagartis; similar languages, similar ways of living
Dagbamba customs compared to other groups
- 48. Dagbambas more eye-open than all others, including Ashantis
- 49. example: Kusasi funerals have similar customs; Ashantis are different
- 50. Dagbamba: know respect; customs have some differences
- 51. the people Dagbamba conquered are now Dagbamba, including tindanas; the chieftaincies of the towns started from Naa Nyaɣsi
Yaa-Naas after Naa Nyaɣsi
- 52. Naa Nyaɣsi's zuu was Naa Zulandi; succeeded Naa Nyaɣsi
- 53. Naa Naɣalɔɣu died in war, so called a Yaa-Naa even though did not eat the chieftaincy
- 54. Naa Daturli, also called Naa Dalgu and Naa Dalgudamda; Naa Briguyomda; sons of Naa Zulandi
- 55. Naa Zɔlgu, then his four sons: Naa Zɔmbila (Naa Zɔŋ); Naa Niŋmitooni, Naa Dimani, Naa Yenzoo
- 56. Naa Dariʒɛɣu, son of Naa Zɔmbila; Naa Luro, son of Naa Zɔlgu
- 57. four sons of Naa Luro: Naa Tutuɣri, Naa Zaɣli, Naa Zokuli, Naa Gungobli
- 58. Naa Zanjina, youngest son of Naa Tutuɣri; Naa Andan' Siɣli, son of Naa Zaɣli; Naa Zanjina's sons: Naa Jinli Bimbiɛɣu, Naa Garba; Naa Garba's sons: Naa Saa Ziblim (Saalana Ziblim), Naa Ziblim Bandamda, Naa Andani Jɛŋgbarga
- 59. Naa Mahami, Naa Ziblim Kulunku, Naa Simaani Zoli, Naa Yakuba
- 60. Naa Abilaai (Abdulai) Naɣbiɛɣu, Naa Andani Naanigoo, sons of Naa Yakuba
- 61. Naa Alaasani, Naa Abudu, Naa Mahaman Kpɛma, Naa Mahamam Bila, Naa Abilabila (Abilaai Bila)
- 62. Dagbon spoiled after Naa Abilabila's death; lines of Naa Andani (Andani) and Naa Abilaai (Abudu); Naa Abilabila's son Naa Mahamadu eats; dispute between Naa Mahamadu and Mionlana Andani; Naa Mahamadu removed by government of General Acheampong
- 63. Adubu house drummers do not call Mionlana Andani a Yaa-Naa, nor his son Yakubu; Yaa-Naa cannot be removed
- 64. if Yaa-Naa runs away from war, not considered a Yaa-Naa; example: Naa Darimani
- 65. drummers know the customs; Andani house did not follow custom; installed by soldiers
Conclusion
- 66. transition to the talk about Yaa-Naa's chieftaincy and other chieftaincies, and the work of chiefs
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Proverbs and Sayings
“Landing with war”
“I have met good luck.”
“You are going to be in front of this person, so that when you come across a bad stone, you will remove it, or when you come across a bad root, you will remove it.
It is from the time of Naa Nyaɣsi that our Dagbon came out and stood.
Our Yendi matters have got a lot of talk inside, and only we drummers know it.
“Truly, you will be going in front, and we will be following you. And we will leave your towns for you.”
All the chiefs are from the bone of Naa Gbewaa.
Every chief sacrifices to the god in his town, and it is there like that up till now.
“Do your work and give it to these children of mine, and some time it will come to benefit them.”
If you bring forth your child and your child becomes very fat, you won't want to be seeing him. And you child also will not want to be seeing you. If you always sit and see one another too much, you will come to see that your child's eyes will not have trust in you again.
We know respect more than any other tribe.
We know: “This is a stranger.”
If you are going to collect your friend's work and do it, can you do it the same as your friend was doing it?
“His father died and he also died that evening.”
Our custom did not make him a chief, and so he is not a chief.
A drummer does not dislike a chief.
There is no chieftaincy in Dagbon today, and our Dagbon is now spoiled.
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Dagbani words and other search terms
- Chiefs of Yendi
- Nimbu
- Kumtili
- Zhipopora (Ʒipopora)
- Naa Abilabila [Abilaai Bila]
- Naa Abilaai
- Naa Abudu
- Naa Alaasani
- Naa Andani
- Naa Andani Jengbarga (Naa Andani Jɛŋgbarga)
- Naa Briguyomda
- Naa Dalgudamda [Naa Daturli, Naa Dalgu]
- Naa Darimani [Bukari Giya, Kukara Djee]
- Naa Darizhegu (Naa Dariʒɛɣu)
- Naa Dimani
- Naa Garba
- Naa Gbewaa
- Naa Gungobli
- Naa Jinli Bimbiegu (Naa Jinli Bimbiɛɣu) [Naa Jinli]
- Naa Kulunku
- Naa Luro
- Naa Mahamam Bila [Naa Mahamambila (Naa Mahama Bila)]
- Naa Mahaman Kpema [Naa Mahamankpɛma (Naa Mahama Kpɛma)]
- Naa Mahamadu
- Naa Mahami
- Naa Nagalogu (Naa Naɣalɔɣu)
- Naa Ninmitooni (Naa Niŋmitooni)
- Naa Nyagi (Naa Nyaɣsi)
- Naa Saa Ziblim [Naa Saalana]
- Naa Shitobu [Naa Siglinitobu] (Naa Shitɔbu [Naa Siɣlinitɔbu])
- Naa Sigli [Naa Andan' Sigli] (Naa Siɣli [Naa Andan' Siɣli])
- Naa Simaani Zoli [Naa Simaani]
- Naa Tutugri (Naa Tutuɣri)
- Naa Yakuba
- Naa Yenzoo
- Naa Zagli (Naa Zaɣli)
- Naa Zanjina
- Naa Ziblim Bandamda
- Naa Zokuli
- Naa Zolgu (Naa Zɔlgu)
- Naa Zombila [Naa Zong] (Naa Zɔmbila [Naa Zɔŋ])
- Naa Zulandi
- Naa Zhirli (Naa Ʒirli)
- Naa Gbewaa bihi
- Naa Zhirli (Naa Ʒirli)
- Naa Shitobu (Naa Shitɔbu)
- Fogu (Fɔɣu)
- Mamprugulana Tohigu
- Bimbila-Naa Nmantambu (Bimbila-Naa Ŋmantambu)
- Salagalana Kayilkuna
- Kuga-Naa Subee Kpema (Kuɣa-Naa Subee Kpɛma)
- Karaga-Naa Beemoni
- Sunson-Naa Bugyilgu (Sunson-Naa Buɣyilgu)
- Sanglana Subee Bila
- Nyensung Yaambana
- Savelugulana Yenyoo
- Nanton-Naa Baatanga
- Yamolkaragalana Kayetuli
- Zugulana Bohinsan
- Zantanlana Yirigitundi
- Zoggolana Sungburi
- Nyingaa Ʒibie (Nyingaa Ʒibie)
- Kpugli Kungoo (Kpuɣli Kungoo)
- Gundo-Naa Kachagu (Gundo-Naa Kachaɣu)
- Yaantuuri
- Naa Nyagsi bihi (Naa Nyaɣsi bihi)
- Dalunlana Yagrinaa (Dalunlana Yaɣrinaa)
- Demon-Naa Daasangolin (Demon-Naa Daasangoliŋ)
- Diarilana Shelin
- Dipalilana Dangzhiya (Dipalilana Daŋʒiya)
- Gaa-Naa Tuuvielgu (Gaa-Naa Tuuviɛlgu)
- Galiwe Nin Fong (Galiwe Niŋ Fɔŋ)
- Gbulunlana Lukpaa
- Gukpe-Naa Tulebi
- Kpantinlana Nyolgu
- Kumbun-Naa Bimbiem (Kumbun-Naa Bimbiɛm)
- Lungbunglana Tuuzabli
- Naasaalana Ziba
- Namogulana Bizung (Namɔɣulana Bizuŋ)
- Nyankpalalana Beyom
- Singlana Lalyogu (Singlana Lalyoɣu)
- Tampionlana Kpimbee
- Tibunlana Sandaani
- Tolonlana Naadima
- Vo-Naa Bambilia
- Zangbalinlana Burizambo
- Zugulana Yenwaa
- Names and persons
- Alhaji Ibrahim
- [General I. K.] Acheampong
- Issa Lunga (Issa Luŋa)
- Kalugsi Dajia (Kaluɣsi Dajia)
- [Kwame] Nkrumah
- Mionlana Andani [Naa Andani Bila]
- Namo-Naa [Issahaku]
- Wumbee ([Naa Nyagsi] Naa Nyaɣsi)
- Yakubu [Andani]
- Chieftaincy titles
- Balo-Naa
- Gbonglana (Gbɔŋlana)
- Mionlana
- Namogulana (Namɔɣulana)
- Salagalana
- Sanglana
- Singlana
- Tali-Naa
- Tampionlana
- Vo-Naa
- Yaa-Naa, Yaa-Naas
- Yamolkaragalana
- Yoo-Naa
- Yogulana (Yɔɣulana)
- Zohi-Naa (Zɔhi-Naa)
- Miscellaneous terms
- Abudu
- Andani
- bia, bihi
- bila
- bugli (buɣli)
- Champuu
- dabogu, dabari (dabɔɣu, dabari)
- Dagbani
- dala
- Damba
- gingaginyogu (giŋgaɣinyɔɣu)
- guinea fowls
- houseowner
- kpema (kpɛma)
- kuga (kuɣa)
- Kulunsi
- Kusaa
- lunga, lunsi (luŋa, lunsi)
- Mampruli
- Naanigoo
- Nagbiegu (Naɣbiɛɣu)
- pito
- saambugli (Saambuɣli)
- sagim (saɣim)
- Samban' lunga (Samban' luŋa)
- Setang' Kugli (Setaŋ' Kuɣli)
- tindana, tindanas
- Yoo
- zuu
- Cultural groups
- Ashanti, Ashantis
- Bassaris
- Bimobas
- Builsas
- Chekosis
- Chemba, Chembas
- Dagarti, Dagartis
- Dagban' sabli
- Dagbana, Dagbamba
- Dandawas
- Frafra, Frafras
- Gonja, Gonjas
- Guruma, Gurumas
- Gurunsi, Gurunsis
- Kalugsi, Kalugsis (Kaluɣsi, Kaluɣsis)
- Kantonsis
- Kasena
- Konkomba, Konkombas
- Kotokolis
- Kusasi
- Kusasis
- Lobis
- Mamprusi, Mamprusis
- Mossi, Mossis
- Nanumba, Nanumbas
- Talensi, Talensis
- Tampolensi, Tampolensis
- Tiyaawumiya
- Vagalas
- Wala, Walas
- Yaansi
- Yaawunde
- Zabag' kparba (Zabaɣ' kparba)
- Zabagsi (Zabaɣsi)
- Zambarimas
- Zantansis
- Towns and places
- Atakpaama
- Bagli
- Banvim
- Bawku
- Bieng (Biɛŋ)
- Bimbila
- Biong (Bioŋ)
- Biyoo
- Chereponi
- Daboya
- Dagbon
- Dalun
- Demon
- Diari
- Dinga
- Dipali
- Fada N'Gourma
- Gaa
- Galiwe
- Gbano
- Gbulun
- Gbungbaliga
- Gukpeogu
- Kakpaguyili
- Kambonaayili
- Kanjaga
- Karaga
- Kpalba
- Kpatinga
- Kumbungu
- Lungbunga
- Maankaragu
- Mion
- Moglaa
- Naasaa
- Nalerigu
- Namogu (Namɔɣu)
- Nanton
- Naya
- Nyankpala
- Nyensung
- Pusiga
- Saambuli
- Sagnerigu
- Salaga
- Sambu
- Sang
- Savelugu
- Singa
- Sokode
- Sunson
- Tali
- Tampion
- Tenkurugu
- Tibun
- Tolon
- Tolon Sabiegu (Tolon Sabiɛɣu)
- Toma
- Tugu
- Tumu
- Voggo
- Wa
- Walewale
- Wanchigi
- Yaan' Dabari
- Yamolkaraga
- Yelizoli
- Yendi
- Yiwogu (Yiwɔɣu)
- Yogu (Yɔɣu)
- Zangbalin
- Zantana
- Zoggo
- Zugu