Asantes rather used to admire Northerners' unparallelled brotherhood & honesty

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STRAIGHT TALK 7 years ago

yes oooooo

yes oooooo
vigour 7 years ago

Those of us born in the south from the north knows the truth the asante royals are northerners and some will admit it as K. Badu has done. it is only those who refuse to learn history believe northerners are inferior.

Those of us born in the south from the north knows the truth the asante royals are northerners and some will admit it as K. Badu has done. it is only those who refuse to learn history believe northerners are inferior.
Tacos 7 years ago

That is ture because the Oyoko clan traces its ancestory to Bouna kings who also descend from the Dagomba kings.
The Kingship of Wa was established by the descendants of Dagomba and Mamprusi kings. The Kingdom of Bouna (in I ...
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That is ture because the Oyoko clan traces its ancestory to Bouna kings who also descend from the Dagomba kings.
The Kingship of Wa was established by the descendants of Dagomba and Mamprusi kings. The Kingdom of Bouna (in Ivory Coast) was later established by the grandson of the 5th Ya Naa (Naa Darigudeera, ruled from 1454 to 1469). Na Darigudeera’s son married the daughter of a local chief of Bouna and their male offspring called Bonkani established the famous Bouna Kingdom. Several Ya Naas including Naa Zakoli (1609-1627) and also Naa Atabia of Mamprugu will send expeditions beyond Bouna in search of Gold. The present kings of Bouna trace their ancestry to Dagbon and The Oyoko clan of Ashanti traces its ancestry to Bouna.
Jack 7 years ago

Many thanks for the illumination.

Many thanks for the illumination.
Big Ben 7 years ago

Regardless of all good intentions or historical explanations, PEPENI or NTAFOO are used derogatory, like it or not. All over the world, epithets, name calling of ethnic groups are common and they're used "to claim superiority ...
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Regardless of all good intentions or historical explanations, PEPENI or NTAFOO are used derogatory, like it or not. All over the world, epithets, name calling of ethnic groups are common and they're used "to claim superiority over others—and no ifs or buts about that."

In the United States of America, the age old word, NIGER, is used to cast slur on Black Americans and anybody Black—not because of any derivative origins of the word or anything else. It is simply used to "downgrade Blacks as inferior to Whites", so in today's America if a Whiteman uses that word, he gets his ass in big trouble, especially if s/he is a public official. The British call Irish, Italian and others names and they also have derogatory names for the British.

Light skin people look down on very dark skin people. Educated people look down on illiterates. Rich people look down on poor people and call them names. White color workers look down on farmers and fishermen (except their parents or relatives are among them). Even in Ghana, MPs, government Ministers and other high office holders look down on others; etc., etc.; etc. And what's the proximate cause?? HUMAN NATURE “WHICH DOES OVERTIME” TO CLAIM S/HE’S BETTER THAN OTHERS and so long as humans are not Angels, this canker of "I'm better than you" will NEVER go away—so get over it!! Even here in America, Black Americans have the nerves to disrespect Black Africans by simply calling them “they’re Africans or she or he’s an African”—just to mean the Africans are from some bush
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IBM 7 years ago

This is the kind of unifying lesson that they should begin to teach us in schools all across Africa so that we will begin to see that there is only One Big Black Race. Therefore we must Unite because with unity we will build ...
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This is the kind of unifying lesson that they should begin to teach us in schools all across Africa so that we will begin to see that there is only One Big Black Race. Therefore we must Unite because with unity we will build and protect Africa.
Abdulai 7 years ago

The Dagomba state is responsible for the existence of ashanti.
Note that Northerners dont feel inferior. It is all in your minds. Read this history of Dagomba below by Dr. Ahmed Bawa Kuyini

Brief history of Dagbon

T ...
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The Dagomba state is responsible for the existence of ashanti.
Note that Northerners dont feel inferior. It is all in your minds. Read this history of Dagomba below by Dr. Ahmed Bawa Kuyini

Brief history of Dagbon

The greater Dagbon state as founded in 1200s around the same time as the Yuan Dynasty in China (1271-1368). The most glorious days of Dagbon coincide with the Ming Dynasty in China (1368- 1644).

Gbewaah gave birth to 17 children. Three of his sons Tohagu, Sitobu and Mnantambo founded the Kingdoms of Mamprugu, Dagomba and Nanumba respectively. Naa Gbewaah’s Warrior daughter had a son who founded the Moshi Kingdoms of Ouagadougou, Yatenga and Fadan Grumah. That is why the Kings of Moshi refer to the Mamprugu, Dagomba and Nanumba Kings as their grandfathers.

The Kingship of Wa was established by the descendants of Dagomba and Mamprusi kings. The Kingdom of Bouna (in Ivory Coast) was later established by the grandson of the 5th Ya Naa (Naa Darigudeera, ruled from 1454 to 1469). Na Darigudeera’s son married the daughter of a local chief of Bouna and their male offspring called Bonkani established the famous Bouna Kingdom. Several Ya Naas including Naa Zakoli (1609-1627) and also Naa Atabia of Mamprugu will send expeditions beyond Bouna in search of Gold. The present kings of Bouna trace their ancestry to Dagbon and The Oyoko clan of Ashanti traces its ancestry to Bouna.
Nurudeen 7 years ago

Dont create your own history.. the ashantis have their own history and it is well document.. people refer to others as brothers for peace purposes. Ashantis are made a reference point in everything cos they're simply the best ...
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Dont create your own history.. the ashantis have their own history and it is well document.. people refer to others as brothers for peace purposes. Ashantis are made a reference point in everything cos they're simply the best standard..
STUPIDITY 7 years ago

Hmm.
When a bamboo mud-hut dweller gets introduced to the white man's building culture then, THE the forest dweller learns to wear chains and put on powder, and feels sooo superior. STUPIDITY.

Hmm.
When a bamboo mud-hut dweller gets introduced to the white man's building culture then, THE the forest dweller learns to wear chains and put on powder, and feels sooo superior. STUPIDITY.
111 7 years ago

What is the use of all this?

What is the use of all this?
Jack 7 years ago

Yes, giving nicknames to people does not mean you feel superior to them.

Yes, giving nicknames to people does not mean you feel superior to them.
Kwobia ( Toronto ) 7 years ago

Thanks for the explanation.Fact of the matter is many Northerners only speak one language,their own mother tongue.Hence,Northerners also carry their own prejudices with regard to other tribes.My beef though,as an expat Ghanai ...
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Thanks for the explanation.Fact of the matter is many Northerners only speak one language,their own mother tongue.Hence,Northerners also carry their own prejudices with regard to other tribes.My beef though,as an expat Ghanain of northern descent when I encounter an Akan,and I'm questioned as to why I cannot speak Twi.I've never lived among Akans.No deliberate disrespect there.
Ken Ntiamoa 7 years ago

I am not sure if Kwobia is your real name or assumed moniker. But Kwobia Amanfi was an early Ashanti King.

Ken
Toronto

I am not sure if Kwobia is your real name or assumed moniker. But Kwobia Amanfi was an early Ashanti King.

Ken
Toronto
All hatred is bad!!! 7 years ago

Badu, you and the likes of Kofi Ata are confusing the etymologies of "pepeni" and "ntafuo" with their CURRENT USAGES. It is a fallacy.

The two terms may have originated as positive descriptives but the meanings or connota ...
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Badu, you and the likes of Kofi Ata are confusing the etymologies of "pepeni" and "ntafuo" with their CURRENT USAGES. It is a fallacy.

The two terms may have originated as positive descriptives but the meanings or connotations have changed over time. That is a normal occurrence with languages as any linguist can tell you.

Today, both "pepeni" and "ntafuo" are used with a large dose of negative connotation. Don't try to brush this under the carpet. MOST Akans do not even know how those words originated and do not know that they were positive words. THE ORIGINAL MEANINGS OF THOSE WORDS ARE LOST! Nobody today uses those two terms today to refer to positive things about people from the north. Let's face the facts.

You can call for a return to the proper meanings of those words (a very difficult undertaking) but you cannot try to convince us that today's usage of those words is not derogatory.

The Ewe term "dzogbedzitor" is also somewhat similar. The term, even today, is completely neutral. It means a person from a hot area (Savannah area). "Dzo" is the Ewe term for fire and fire is hot. "Dzogbe" literally means "hot area". This is neutral but even so, some people can use the term with a derogatory whiff. The difference between "dzogbedzitor" on one hand and "pepeni" and "ntafuo" on the other hand is that the neutral meaning of the Ewe term has not been lost. So Ewes can use the term without sounding insulting. But today it is difficult to say "pepeni" or "ntafuo" without sounding insulting! PC speech in Akan avoids those terms. PC speech in Ewe does not need to avoid the Ewe term. One reason for that is that the Ewe term is known and used mostly only by ewes.

But today that most Ghanaians are speaking Twi, non native Twi speakers also use the Twi terms and they do so with all the negative connotations. If native Twi speakers themselves have forgotten the original positive meanings of the terms, what do you expect non-native Twi speakers to do?
Pumpuni 7 years ago

Stupid comment. Go back and read the article again. If the real meaning of the words are lost, does that negate the original meanings?

Stupid comment. Go back and read the article again. If the real meaning of the words are lost, does that negate the original meanings?
Danso 7 years ago

The gentleman's argument that the exact meaning of 'pepefoo and ntafoo' have changed is neither here nor there. His assertion is somehow oxymorone.

The gentleman's argument that the exact meaning of 'pepefoo and ntafoo' have changed is neither here nor there. His assertion is somehow oxymorone.
All hatred is bad 7 years ago

The relevant issue is how those terms are used today, not how they originated or how they were used a hundred years ago. A reminder of their original usages without properly addressing their present usages is just an academic ...
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The relevant issue is how those terms are used today, not how they originated or how they were used a hundred years ago. A reminder of their original usages without properly addressing their present usages is just an academic exercise. What makes that assertion an oxymoron?
Danso 7 years ago

How can you conclude that everyone who uses pepeni does so to cast a slur on a Northerner? How did you arrive at that?
So does the real meaning of 'Asanteni' has also changed? being

How can you conclude that everyone who uses pepeni does so to cast a slur on a Northerner? How did you arrive at that?
So does the real meaning of 'Asanteni' has also changed? being
All hatred is bad!!! 7 years ago

Danso, which part of my comment asserts that "...everyone who uses pepeni does so to cast a slur on a Northerner"?

I have maintained that today the use of the two terms carries negative connotations. That is why the two t ...
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Danso, which part of my comment asserts that "...everyone who uses pepeni does so to cast a slur on a Northerner"?

I have maintained that today the use of the two terms carries negative connotations. That is why the two terms are not part of PC speech.

Pls let's stick to correct interpretations. Nobody has said there was anything wrong with saying "Asanteni".
Danso 7 years ago

I still cannot get you. The original meanings of pepefoo and ntafoo cannot be changed by anybody. Surely, people who do not have understanding of the original meanings can interpret to suit them, but they never change the ori ...
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I still cannot get you. The original meanings of pepefoo and ntafoo cannot be changed by anybody. Surely, people who do not have understanding of the original meanings can interpret to suit them, but they never change the original meanings as simple as that.
All hatred is bad!!! 7 years ago

But, Danso, that is the point. The usage of the two terms have changed over time. It is a gradual process and not because somebody decided one fine morning to change the meaning.

The change happened a long time ago that m ...
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But, Danso, that is the point. The usage of the two terms have changed over time. It is a gradual process and not because somebody decided one fine morning to change the meaning.

The change happened a long time ago that many of us have even forgotten the original positive meanings. That was why Kofi Ata wrote an article on it some time ago and commented yesterday. That is Badu is today reinforcing that message. If people hadn't forgotten the original meanings there would be no need for those articles.

Danso, do you think a politician from any party today can go to a rally or on radio and refer to Northerners as "pepefuo" or "ntafuo"?
Danso 7 years ago

Well, let the people interpret the terms as they see fit, but their original meaning cannot be changed by anybody. Of course, I will agree if you say that people do not have full appreciation of the actual meaning of those te ...
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Well, let the people interpret the terms as they see fit, but their original meaning cannot be changed by anybody. Of course, I will agree if you say that people do not have full appreciation of the actual meaning of those terms, hence taking offence of them.
Of course, politicians won't use those terms because people have different understanding of the terms and politicians don't want to lose votes.
SARPONG 7 years ago

Thank you. I have intentionally stayed away from this issue from yesterday and today until the comment from the person with the moniker, "All hatred is bad"

He seems to be a well educated person but one can deduce or infer ...
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Thank you. I have intentionally stayed away from this issue from yesterday and today until the comment from the person with the moniker, "All hatred is bad"

He seems to be a well educated person but one can deduce or infer from his post he has his own hatred towards one particular people without even knowing it. Despite the example cited by Mr Badu from my friend Kofi Ata's explanation of the meaning of NTAFUO and PEPENII, he still wants to convict people of using that word because it connotes negativity, I have no problem with him for saying that.

My problem with him comes in when he says the word Ewes use for Northerners can still be used to describe Northerners because it does not connote negativity. Did this person talk to Northerners and they agreed with him that using that word which means people who come from a hot place does not connote negativity?

I can say by the origin of the Akans use of Ntafuo and Pepefuo which are not a negative perception of Northerners, the original meaning of the word Ewes used to describe Northerners originally and presently connotes negativity and I am surprised he is defending it.

Charles Agbenu was right when he said every tribe have a name they use to refer to other tribes.

I know when I was growing up in Kumasi, we used to refer to Ewes as AWONAFUO as anybody from Volta region. I know Ewes do not want to be called that but Ewes too have a word they use to refer to Asantes with negative connotation.

Why do Northerners refer to Asantes or Akans as KABONGAS? Have anybody inquired from Northerners the meaning of the word KABONGA? My Uncle operates a hotel in Kumasi and he employs a lot of Northerners and since Northerners comprise many tribes, I cannot say what I learnt the meaning of KABONGA is the same for Dagombas, Gonjas, Frafra or Dagartis but my Northern friends explained to me KABONGA means, People who eats snails and since they think it is disgusting to eat snail, anybody who eats snail is inferior.

In some way, Charles Agbenu said things that are true but politically incorrect so people went after him. The words we as people use to call other tribes no matter how positive it's original meaning was are used now to call these people as not terms of endearment. It is hard to believe somebody will presently say that Akans or Asantes should stop using the words PEPEFUO and NTAFUO to refer to NORTHERNERS but Ewes can use that negative word to refer to Northerners because they meant no harm. Who told this guy AKANS meant any harm when they call him or her as AWONANII or TROKOSI?

We should all stop using monikers to refer to other tribes irrespective of whether they are positive or negative because the origin or discrimination or the feeling of superiority begins when we substitute TANII or NTAFUO to for a Dagomba, Gonja, Frafra, Mamprusi, Kusasi or what not.

Charles Avenue was right but was politically incorrect.
Danso 7 years ago

Well said Sarpong.

Well said Sarpong.
All hatred is bad!!! 7 years ago

1. My main argument is that the terms "pepeni" and "ntafuo" may originate as neutral to positive terms. But today everybody uses them as negative terms. SARPONG, do you deny that modern usage of the term? And remember that I ...
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1. My main argument is that the terms "pepeni" and "ntafuo" may originate as neutral to positive terms. But today everybody uses them as negative terms. SARPONG, do you deny that modern usage of the term? And remember that I said even non-native Twi speakers also use the terms negatively. Why are you giving the impression that I was blaming only Akans for using the term negatively?

2. SARPONG, I also said the Ewe term is also somewhat similar. And I added that some Ewes use this term negatively. Why would you say I am making an exception for the Ewe term? I made some differences between the Ewe usage and the Akan usage by saying the Ewe usage still maintains its original meaning which is why Ewes can still use it without infringing any PC conventions. And I said this may be due to the fact that the Ewe usage may be limited to Ewes. There's no reason to conclude that this means Ewes are "better" than others at something as you seem to argue. You know the Akan language is much bigger than Ewe which means certain usages may not have the same effects both on the individual languages and nationally.

SARPONG, the discussion is basically one of language usage but your contribution suggests that you're more interested in who is accusing who of what or exonerating who from what! It doesn't have to be so.

You have mentioned other terms too, and it's indeed true, there are many such usages that we can all analyse in similar ways.

Agbenu's piece of yesterday is really not about PCness. He was writing a partisan political piece which made him miss certain pertinent issues apart from some factual errors in the article.
SARPONG 7 years ago

" I made some differences between the Ewe usage and the Akan usage by saying the Ewe usage still maintains its original meaning which is why Ewes can still use it without infringing any PC conventions."

That is exactly whe ...
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" I made some differences between the Ewe usage and the Akan usage by saying the Ewe usage still maintains its original meaning which is why Ewes can still use it without infringing any PC conventions."

That is exactly where I have a problem with you. How can you say the Ewe usage still maintains its original meaning but the usage of Pepefuo and Ntafuo words have lost their original meaning? Is that an empirical facts that you can prove that point or that is your own perception?

"SARPONG, the discussion is basically one of language usage but your contribution suggests that you're more interested in who is accusing who of what or exonerating who from what! It doesn't have to be so."

Not at all, my point or what I am trying to convey is that, all tribes use words that are no terms of endearment in referring to other tribes but since the Akan is the biggest tribe, their use of words to refer to other tribes are condemned whilst others are given a pass in using words to describe Akans, especially Asantes in very demeaning terms as if we Asantes don't have veins running through our bodies that feel other tribe insults, that is my point.
All hatred is bad!!! 7 years ago

Empirical evidence? SARPONG, if you know both languages you'll agree that the Akan and Ewe terms don't have the same semantic status. You don't need any study to prove that. From the discussions you can even see that there's ...
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Empirical evidence? SARPONG, if you know both languages you'll agree that the Akan and Ewe terms don't have the same semantic status. You don't need any study to prove that. From the discussions you can even see that there's no agreement over how the Akan terms came to be used to refer to northerners. Is it "pepeeni" as in miserly or "pepeepe" as in fairness or exactitude? The Ewe equivalent has no such different meanings because the stem "dzogbe" gives the meaning away - dry place. The word is still used to refer to similar landscapes even in Eweland.

But, yes, it is true that Ewes can use the term in reference to northerners negatively but current usage doesn't have the same negative connotations as CURRENT usage of the Akan terms in ref to northerners. That is why I said Ewes can use the term even in PC speech. Whether this will change in the future is yet to be seen.

The thing is once you use a term to denote "otherness" it can become difficult to maintain the neutral meaning of that term...

People insulting Akans? For me the bottom line is no decent person will insult anybody because of the tribe or insult the entire tribe. I condemn all such insults. That is why my moniker for the topic is all hatred is bad - whether from Ewe, Akan, Ga, Gonja or whatever.

But still, Agbenu's article was a political one, not an attempt to explain word usage or the prejudices all ethnic groups have of each other.
Yendi boy 7 years ago

KANBONGA in Dagbani means Ashanti and is not an isult at all.It does not mean people who eat snail, not at all.Total lies

KANBONGA in Dagbani means Ashanti and is not an isult at all.It does not mean people who eat snail, not at all.Total lies
Kwasipong 7 years ago

No. You are the liar and stop throwing dust into peoples' eyes. What Sarpong said is the truth and I have heard it from so many Northerners. We should all stop being discriminately and stop calling painting groups of people ...
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No. You are the liar and stop throwing dust into peoples' eyes. What Sarpong said is the truth and I have heard it from so many Northerners. We should all stop being discriminately and stop calling painting groups of people/tibes with same brush. It is an unethical and down right uncivilised behaviour. We should judge people by the content of their character but not by their ethnic and tribal origins. Ghanaians should know better. How Ghanaians proud ourselves of our civility, it is quite shocking that we continue to behave like that. We are all related one way or the other.
SARPONG 7 years ago

Thank you Mr Kwasipong. This is the problem we have in Ghana. People believe Akans should not call Northerners Pepefuo or Ntafuo or call Ewes AWONAFUO because they connote negativity but they don't think their own use of word ...
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Thank you Mr Kwasipong. This is the problem we have in Ghana. People believe Akans should not call Northerners Pepefuo or Ntafuo or call Ewes AWONAFUO because they connote negativity but they don't think their own use of words to describe Akans should be complained about and we should take it.
SARPONG 7 years ago

Yendi Boy, read my comment again. I said Northerners on its own is not a tribe but comprise different tribes and the meaning of KABONGA might not mean the same to a Gonga, Damgomba, Frafra and Dagartis. As a matter of fact, I ...
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Yendi Boy, read my comment again. I said Northerners on its own is not a tribe but comprise different tribes and the meaning of KABONGA might not mean the same to a Gonga, Damgomba, Frafra and Dagartis. As a matter of fact, I did not know whether the person who explained the meaning to me is a Kusasi or Mamprusi and it might not mean the same in Dagbani but don't tell me I am lying because a Northerner gave me what Kabonga means. He might not be a Dagbani but there are people from the North who KABONGA means people who eats snail.
Kwame 7 years ago

Dzogbedzorke and the Avalixo gave each other firewood as present, thought they both like in the dzogbe. My village have two vegetation forest and grassland, the forest land is called ave and the grassland edzogbe. A town betw ...
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Dzogbedzorke and the Avalixo gave each other firewood as present, thought they both like in the dzogbe. My village have two vegetation forest and grassland, the forest land is called ave and the grassland edzogbe. A town between Abor and Hatorgodo is called Avenorfeme, the capital of the people of the forest. Then there is a constituency in the Ave area which is called Ave and it looks like that is where the Speaker of parliament comes from.
When Ewhes refer to northerners as Dzogbetorwo in is not teasing nor is it an insult. Even the citizens of Agbozume and Klikor just as the citizens of my village visit their edzogbe when they have something doing there. Our people say that Adorkor does can not pronounce aromi, but it is not only our brothers from the North who we call Adorkors, but as well our own children you are given birth to after a deity was consulted.
Russians call Germans Neimeth, Englishmen call Niponess Japanese and others are called Chinese and Kitais, but that is not how they call themselves. Whenever those names are mentioned in both English and Russian those Europeans and Asians do not take offense, so the international community continue to call them by those names which most of the time sound funny to them. I have Moshis in my family because a my grandaunt was married to a Moshi by his brothers. I have had the view since infancy that they would not have done so if it is believed that members of other tribes are subhumans.
Kojo 7 years ago

We call our next door neighbours names such as ALATAFOO. Do we feel superior to them?

We call our next door neighbours names such as ALATAFOO. Do we feel superior to them?
Ken Ntiamoa 7 years ago

Thanks for your input. I agree with you in everything you've said here. There, however, could be a slight error in your use of the word "Periperi" to denote "Pepeni" as in your write-up below:-
______________________________ ...
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Thanks for your input. I agree with you in everything you've said here. There, however, could be a slight error in your use of the word "Periperi" to denote "Pepeni" as in your write-up below:-
___________________________________

“The word pepeni is from the Akan word periperini (from the word exact, truth or honesty) that had been contaminated into pepeni”. “Periperini means the honest one”. “When the Northerners came to the south to work they were so honest that the Akans referred to them as being periperi”.
__________________________________
I stand corrected, but growing up in my little village, Pakyi No2 in the Ashanti Region in the early 50's,

the phrase "W'ano ye wo peri, peri referred to a person who could not keep a secret. A person who spoke about everything he saw or heard to anybody he saw. On the other hand, the word "PenPen" was used to describe a man who spoke what he heard or saw without mincing words or trying to beat about the bush, so-to-speak. "Oka n'as3m pen pen."

So, "Penpen ni" which to me became "Pepeni" would more describe people from the North than "Peri peri ni"

By the way, I am also Amanfuo.

Ken
Pumpuni 7 years ago

From what I was told as a young man growing up, the word "pepeni" is a corrupted form of the word "pepeepeni" which means/meant one who does things strictly and according to order or instructions.

From what I was told as a young man growing up, the word "pepeni" is a corrupted form of the word "pepeepeni" which means/meant one who does things strictly and according to order or instructions.
Ken Ntiamoa 7 years ago

That could be a possibility.

Ken

That could be a possibility.

Ken
Pumpuni 7 years ago

Senior Ken, what year did you graduate from the Sofoline University? I am also a Freeman House Amanfoo.

Senior Ken, what year did you graduate from the Sofoline University? I am also a Freeman House Amanfoo.
Agenda 7 years ago

I was at Pearson house

I was at Pearson house
Danso 7 years ago

'Pepepe' means exact.

'Pepepe' means exact.
Kofi Ata, Cambridge, UK 7 years ago

First, let me say thank you to K Badu, the author for saving me time because after reading Charles Agbenu's article yesterday, I thought of updating my earlier article on this subject on September 4, 2011 and reposting it. No ...
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First, let me say thank you to K Badu, the author for saving me time because after reading Charles Agbenu's article yesterday, I thought of updating my earlier article on this subject on September 4, 2011 and reposting it. Now, that is not necessary as K Badu's article is sufficient.

Ken Ntiamoa, we both may be right because the Akan language like all other languages are complex. One word could mean different things to different people but more so within the context of space and time. That is, whilst in one context, the word periperi could mean what you described, it could also mean what I described in another. So equally is pepeni. For example, someone also explained origin of the word pepeni to mean that the Northerners used to saved all their money and preferred to live simple lives in anticipation of investing the money at home on their return. So they were referred to as pepefuo from the word p3p33 (miser). In other words, Akan words could be interpreted differently, depending on the context, time and space. I shared what I was told as a child by my late grandmother and do believe that there could be other explanations and interpretations on the origin of the word pepeni or periperini.

My view on this subject is that it should debated devoid of partisan politics and ethnic divisions. This phenomenon is not unique to Ghana but across the globe. It is the attempt to spin party political slant and ethnic divisions into it that makes it dangerous. Let's continue the debate positively to educate ourselves and enhance democracy and development as your contribution.
Kwasipong 7 years ago

Yes Ken you're abosulutely right. I thought about that when I read it and I said that cant be right as growing up we knew the meanin of the word to be how you have described it: "PenPen"
Thank you.

Yes Ken you're abosulutely right. I thought about that when I read it and I said that cant be right as growing up we knew the meanin of the word to be how you have described it: "PenPen"
Thank you.
Lanz 7 years ago

Ghanafuo and wasteful engagements!

So what about siblings from the same "village"; one is fortunate and gets
his/her education in the city.

In heated conversations, the
city-dweller calls the other 'kuraseni", > bush ...
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Ghanafuo and wasteful engagements!

So what about siblings from the same "village"; one is fortunate and gets
his/her education in the city.

In heated conversations, the
city-dweller calls the other 'kuraseni", > bush/village person!

Same "blood" siblings!!
Danso 7 years ago

I hate to say this, but the truth is even the so-called Northern elites look down upon their unlettered brothers and sisters.
Ironically, the so-called Northern elites will engage in divide and rule shenanigans by telling th ...
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I hate to say this, but the truth is even the so-called Northern elites look down upon their unlettered brothers and sisters.
Ironically, the so-called Northern elites will engage in divide and rule shenanigans by telling the less informed that the Akans hate them so much so that an Akan president will never develop their region.
Unfortunately, the less informed Northerners will believe their so-called superior minds and vote them to power only for them to turn their backs on them. Do you remember sSADA?
Kobby 7 years ago

All that Agbenu pointed out was that Ashantis are being accused unfairly because all other tribes are guilty of those same sentiments.

All that Agbenu pointed out was that Ashantis are being accused unfairly because all other tribes are guilty of those same sentiments.
Agenda 7 years ago

Yes that is a good summary of all Agbenu was trying to put across - the unfair discrimination against only the Ashantis. I wonder why people are trying to take him on.

Yes that is a good summary of all Agbenu was trying to put across - the unfair discrimination against only the Ashantis. I wonder why people are trying to take him on.
Chief Obonfi 7 years ago

It is not the meaning of the name that matters. Ur understanding or what u intent to mean at the time of mentioning it. Be frank and ask a child what is the meaning of Abokyi, and if that child tell u the meaning is ,"my frie ...
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It is not the meaning of the name that matters. Ur understanding or what u intent to mean at the time of mentioning it. Be frank and ask a child what is the meaning of Abokyi, and if that child tell u the meaning is ,"my friend ".
Moses 7 years ago

ashantis Bonos and Dagombas are kinsmen. Do u know that the close protection of Dagomba Chiefs are Ashantis and that Ashantis are Dogombas?

ashantis Bonos and Dagombas are kinsmen. Do u know that the close protection of Dagomba Chiefs are Ashantis and that Ashantis are Dogombas?
kk 7 years ago

Wow,God bless you. Any Asante who is above 1.4 feet tall has Northern blood running in him or her.

Wow,God bless you. Any Asante who is above 1.4 feet tall has Northern blood running in him or her.
Jack 7 years ago

That's is called mixed tribe.

That's is called mixed tribe.
jordan 7 years ago

Sorry you are wrong about how pepefo and ntafo came. when they came down south no matter their number they went to toilet the same time, ate fufu by eating the meat first etc and were reffered as doing everything like twins( ...
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Sorry you are wrong about how pepefo and ntafo came. when they came down south no matter their number they went to toilet the same time, ate fufu by eating the meat first etc and were reffered as doing everything like twins(ntafuo in twi) in other words doing things same way(pepepe in twi)like soldiers walking in step.
Amidini 7 years ago

Jordan, don't deceive the public in northern tradition eat the food first before the meat. Jordan, ask and you will be told

Jordan, don't deceive the public in northern tradition eat the food first before the meat. Jordan, ask and you will be told
SARPONG 7 years ago

He is not wrong, what he wrote is true and what you also wrote is true. Another explanation given to me by older folks from my town is that, the Dagartis who use to come to my village during farming season for seasonal farmin ...
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He is not wrong, what he wrote is true and what you also wrote is true. Another explanation given to me by older folks from my town is that, the Dagartis who use to come to my village during farming season for seasonal farming jobs will usually buy the same wear the same clothes like twins hence, NTAAFUO(TWINS)
James 7 years ago

Is 'Esremfoo' an appropriate word?

Is 'Esremfoo' an appropriate word?
jor 7 years ago

The old Asantes didnt know there were differen trbes in the north so everybody had the above names. The caucasians qere all called Oburoni and the french speaking camerounians who were refugees of president Nkrumah in Asante ...
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The old Asantes didnt know there were differen trbes in the north so everybody had the above names. The caucasians qere all called Oburoni and the french speaking camerounians who were refugees of president Nkrumah in Asante akyem were called "anteboe(they dint understand any known language then) "
Amidini 7 years ago

Mr Badu, educate the illiterates and everybody should think of him/herself not to look down upon one tribe or the other

Mr Badu, educate the illiterates and everybody should think of him/herself not to look down upon one tribe or the other
Akatari Damweo 7 years ago

The complete definition of "Pepeni" back then by the chief linguist of the Akan tribe include but not limited to words like exactitude, purity, unadultrated and incorruptible. These platitudes, or words of praise, applied to ...
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The complete definition of "Pepeni" back then by the chief linguist of the Akan tribe include but not limited to words like exactitude, purity, unadultrated and incorruptible. These platitudes, or words of praise, applied to all people of northern extraction cutting across the sub-region,
The origin of the word "Pepeefuo" was derived from the Akan speaking people of the Gold coast during the end of the second world war The British began forming the West African Frontier Force of which were mostly people of northern extraction to say the least, this breed of people were so highly deciplined to an extent that they would always respond to their master's commands 'yes sir' even if it meant 'no sir'. The other tribal counterparts were said to be smatter and therefore would "cut corners", in other words "use their heads".
The results of faithfulness and loyalty thus earned the northerners that enviable praise worthy word Pepefuo, meaning incorruptible people, however that is not the case in recent times. Thank you friends.
James 7 years ago

Stupidity? Wonderful!

Stupidity? Wonderful!
Kojo Krachie 7 years ago

Mr Badu,thank you for enlightening us and educating this uncivilized Mr Agbenu.To stir racial tensions at this crucial election time in Ghana is barbaric,unprofessional,unprofessional and myopic.

Mr Badu,thank you for enlightening us and educating this uncivilized Mr Agbenu.To stir racial tensions at this crucial election time in Ghana is barbaric,unprofessional,unprofessional and myopic.

Asantes rather used to admire Northerners' unparallelled brotherhood & honesty

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