Kingdom of Dagbon

Empire of Dagbon
Kingdom of Dagbon
Royaume de Dagbon
Dagbaŋ
Region of the Kingdom of Dagbon (black rectangle)
Region of the Kingdom of Dagbon (black rectangle)
CapitalYendi
09°26.5′N 00°0.5′W / 9.4417°N 0.0083°W / 9.4417; -0.0083
Largest cityTamale
Official languagesDagbani (lingua franca), English, French, Arabic
Ethnic groups
Dagbamba (Dagomba)
Religion
Traditional, Islam, and Christianity
Demonym(s)Dagbamba
GovernmentMonarchy
Gariba II
History
• Founded
c. 1200s–1300s
Area
• Total
97,702 km2 (37,723 sq mi)
Population
• 2019 estimate
5,197,937[1]
HDI (2021)0.63
medium
Time zoneUTC+0 (GMT0)
• Summer (DST)
UTC+0 (GMT0)
Today part ofGhana

The Kingdom of Dagbon (Dagbani: Dagbaŋ ⓘ) is the oldest[2][3][4] and one of the most organised traditional kingdoms in Ghana founded by the Dagomba people (Dagbamba) in the 15th century. During its rise, it comprised, at various points, the Northern, Upper West, Upper East, Savannah Region and North East regions of present-day Ghana.[5] It also covered portions of Burkina Faso, North East Ivory Coast[6] and North West Togo.[7] Since Ghana's independence in 1957, the Kingdom just like all of Ghana's kingdoms and ethnic states has assumed a traditional, customary role.[8]

The kingdom was formed when Naa Gbewaa and his descendants unified the Dagomba and related peoples who were ruled by decentralised chieftains known as Tindaamba.[9] The antecedents of the Dagomba prior to Gbewaa's consolidation remain largely elusive, paralleled by the ambiguous origins of the Gbewaa lineage. Presently, governance within Dagbon entails a coalescence of authority between the Tindaamba and chiefs.The history of Dagbon is complex and misconceptions often arise regarding the Dagomba's origins, erroneously positing external origins. While lineage of chiefs are external, historical evidence affirms the presence and integral role of both the Tindaamba and the general Dagomba populace within the fabric of Dagbon society, prior to Gbewaa.[9][10]

During the kingdom's rise, it established Ghana's oldest learning institution, the University of Moliyili, as a centre for learning and craftmanship,[11] pioneered a writing system,[12] and established centres of healing for the sick, similar to modern hospitals.[13][14]

Dagbon is one of the few kingdoms in Africa where certain chieftaincy titles are reserved for women. They rule, ascend to the position of chieftaincy with male subjects, and own regal lands.[15][16] The contribution of its women is prominent as it has given birth to Ghana's first female minister,[17][18] and Africa's first female cabinet minister.[19][20] Historically, its noble daughter, Yennenga, is regarded as the "mother" of the Mossi kingdoms,[21][22][23] a people who constitute nearly half of the nation of Burkina Faso. The Gundo Naa is the head of all female chiefs, and Zosimli Naa forges friendships, collaborations, and friendships.[24]

On 18 January 2019 Yaa Naa Abubakari Mahama, was elected by Dagbon's kingmakers as king.[25]

  1. ^ "Ghana Population 2019".
  2. ^ MacGaffey, Wyatt (2004-01-01). "Earth Shrines and the Politics of Memory in Dagbon". Ghana Studies. 7 (1): 11–24. doi:10.3368/gs.7.1.11. ISSN 1536-5514.
  3. ^ "June 1: First Centralized States Formed in the Savanna (Mamprugu, Dagbon, and Nanumba)". Edward A. Ulzen Memorial Foundation. 2017-06-01. Retrieved 2023-10-21.
  4. ^ Mireri, Julian (2022-04-15). "Mole-Dagbon tribe: history, food, dance, languages, weapons, facts". Yen.com.gh – Ghana news. Retrieved 2023-10-21.
  5. ^ "Makro Online Site | Makro South Africa | Never Miss a Deal. Get the Best Deals". www.makro.co.za. Retrieved 2023-10-21.
  6. ^ Massing, Andreas W. (2004-12-20). "Baghayogho". Cahiers d'études africaines. 44 (176): 887–922. doi:10.4000/etudesafricaines.4850. ISSN 0008-0055.
  7. ^ "CONFERENCE OF DAGBAMBA (DAGOMBA) CHIEFS" (PDF).
  8. ^ Owusu-Mensah, Isaac (2013). "Politics, Chieftaincy and Customary Law in Ghana" (PDF). Tradition and Justice: 31–48. JSTOR resrep10120.5.
  9. ^ a b "2-3: Origins of Dagbon". www.adrummerstestament.com. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
  10. ^ "2-23: Tindanas". www.adrummerstestament.com. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
  11. ^ "Science and Technology in 18th Century Moliyili (Dagomba) and the Timbuktiu Intellectual Tradition".
  12. ^ "Dagbanli Ajami and Arabic Manuscripts of Northern Ghana". open.bu.edu. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
  13. ^ "Traditional Medicine and Healing among the Dagomba of Ghana Traditional Medicine and Healing Among the Dagomba of Ghana".
  14. ^ [During its rise, it established Ghana's oldest learning institution, the University of Moliyili, as a learning centre and craftmanship, pioneered a witing system, and established places of healing for the sick, similar to modern hospitals. "Traditional Medicine and Healing among the Dagomba of Ghana"]. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
  15. ^ "Role of Female Chiefs in Dagbon Traditional Area". Art + Feminism. Retrieved 2023-09-18.
  16. ^ "Female Chiefs in Dagbon; Gundo Naa holds their authority and influence". Sanatu Zambang. 2020-01-14. Retrieved 2023-09-18.
  17. ^ "January 17, 1997: Ghana's first woman minister, Mrs Susanna Al-Hassan passes away". Edward A. Ulzen Memorial Foundation. 2018-01-17. Retrieved 2023-09-18.
  18. ^ "Meet Susan Alhassan, the first Ghanaian woman to be appointed minister". GhanaWeb. 2023-03-05. Retrieved 2023-09-18.
  19. ^ "Meet Susanna Al-Hassan, Africa's first female cabinet minister". www.myinfo.com.gh. 2023-03-04. Retrieved 2023-09-18.
  20. ^ "January 17, 1997: Ghana's first woman minister, Mrs Susanna Al-Hassan passes away". Edward A. Ulzen Memorial Foundation. 2018-01-17. Retrieved 2023-09-18.
  21. ^ "Yennenga: Ancestor of Burkina Faso's Mossi people – DW – 05/12/2021". dw.com. Retrieved 2023-09-18.
  22. ^ "YENENGA, The Dagomba Princess". africaaccessreview.org. Retrieved 2023-09-18.
  23. ^ "Princess Yennenga | Mother of the Mossi". On The Shoulders of Giants. Retrieved 2023-09-18.
  24. ^ "Tamale: New Zosimli Naa enskinned at Gulkpegu-Naa's palace".
  25. ^ "Historic! Yendi goes agog as new Yaa Naa is outdoored today". www.myjoyonline.com. Retrieved 2019-11-18.