ALWAYS LYING ABOUT NDC, YOU NPP WILL NEVER LEARN. WE DO NOT NEED TO CAMPAIGN BCOS YOU NPP ARE YOUR OWN WORST ENEMIES. YOUR DESPERATION AND EVIL IS SUFFOCATING YOUR PARTY AND EVERYBODY KNOWS IT. GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR NONSENSE. W ... read full comment
ALWAYS LYING ABOUT NDC, YOU NPP WILL NEVER LEARN. WE DO NOT NEED TO CAMPAIGN BCOS YOU NPP ARE YOUR OWN WORST ENEMIES. YOUR DESPERATION AND EVIL IS SUFFOCATING YOUR PARTY AND EVERYBODY KNOWS IT. GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR NONSENSE. WE WILL VOTE MAHAMA. PERIOD!
Pumpuni 7 years ago
The truth from Fadi Dabbousi!
The truth from Fadi Dabbousi!
black man 7 years ago
None of you parties can convince or fool us. We know the truth. You are scrabbling to continue the loot. Npp did it, Ndc is on throne doing it. And the two as their usual tricks are throwing lies to perpetuate t ... read full comment
None of you parties can convince or fool us. We know the truth. You are scrabbling to continue the loot. Npp did it, Ndc is on throne doing it. And the two as their usual tricks are throwing lies to perpetuate their thievery. Open our eyes Ghanaian
Tacos 7 years ago
Bawumia is from the Naa Gbewaah family and I just read this article about Kuyini family and Gbewaah history which is interesting. See below:
ntold Northern Ghana History: Narratives from Kuyini and Walji Families – PART ... read full comment
Bawumia is from the Naa Gbewaah family and I just read this article about Kuyini family and Gbewaah history which is interesting. See below:
ntold Northern Ghana History: Narratives from Kuyini and Walji Families – PART 1
By Dr. Ahmed Bawa Kuyini
There is lot of about Northern Ghana history that remains undocumented. In this article and others that will follow, I aim to re-cast the history of northern Ghana from the narratives of my paternal and maternal families (The Kuyini Family and the Walji Family). These narratives will touch on some untold aspects of the history of Northern Ghana, particularly in relation to the Kingdoms of Dagomba, Gonja, Nanumba and Bulsa. In my view, it is important to publish these oral narratives for future generations because they betray the interwoven and integrated nature of the histories/destinies of many families in Dagbon, Gonja and Nanung (Nanumba) States.
The Kuyini Family
The Kuyini Family (my paternal family) is descended from the legendary Dagomba Chief called Yelizoli-lana Lagfu, the nephew of Ya Naa Yakubu I (who ruled from 1799-1839). Ya Naa Yakubu was the father of Ya Naa Abudulai and Ya Naa Andani, who created the Abudu and Andani gates. The Kuyini family members, like all other families that descend from Yelizoli-lana Lagfu, are the cousins of both Dagbon Royal Gates.
YelIzoli-lana Lagfu became a legend in Dagbon history for three reasons:
1. He made it possible for his uncle Naa Yakubu I to become Ya Naa by defeating and dethroning Ya Naa Sumani Zoli.
2. He was the only person after Naa Luro (12th Ya Naa, from 1554-1570) to rule several Dagomba villages simultaneously. Naa Luro ruled over seven towns & villages and Yelzoli-lana Lagfu ruled over nine separate villages simultaneously.
3. He became very powerful and at some point, was the de facto Ya Naa, when his uncle Naa Yakubu I became ill. I will return later to these events in the series.
Yellizoli-lana Lagfu’s mother, Kpatuya Naa Shetu (also called Lamihi) was the elder sister of Ya Naa Yakubu I. Their father was Ya Naa Andani Jengbariga (1760-1780, who was son of Ya Naa Gariba). As one of the daughters of Ya Naa Andani Jengbariga, Kpatuya Na Shetu was entitled to one of the chiefships reserved for Ya Naa’s daughters. Both brother and sister will become chiefs along with another sister called Sibri. Shetu (Lamihi) became chief of Kpatuya and her other sister called Sibri became chief of Gundo (Gundo Naa Sibri). Yakubu will later become Ya Naa Yakubu I and create the Abudu and Andani gates.
Kpatuya Naa Shetu gave birth to Yelzoli-lana Lagfu (also called Yidantogmah) many years before Yakubu became Yaa Naa. Yelzoli-lana Lagfu Yidantogmah grew up to be a brave man. Many people believed that he possessed mystical powers attributed to the fact that his father was Muslim from the house of Sabari Yarna and the house of Mohammed Alkatsinawi in Kamshegu. In the coming article, I will explore the events leading to his (Yelzoli-lana Lagfu) prominent role and position in the history of the Dagbon state.
The Walji Family
The Walji Family is my Mother’s family in Bimbila, which is reputed to be the first family to bring Islam to Nanung (Nanumba) Empire. The Patriarch of Walji Family was Alfa Mohammed Walji who came from Katsina in Northern Nigeria between 1790 and 1800. He used to trade in cattle and kola nuts between Huasaland and Salaga and I will share narratives about the family’s relation with Salaga and Bimbila. Before moving to Salaga and Bimbila, Alfa Mohammed Walji first visited Kamshegu (near Yendi), which Sheikh Mohammed Al-Katsinawi established as centre of Islam around 1660. Kamshegu was on the trade route from Hausaland to Yendi and considered the second seat of Islam in Dagbon after Sabari, which was also established by Sheikh Sulaiman Baghayogo of Timbuktu in about 1660. It is important to reiterate the fact Muhammad al Kashnawi [Katsina-wi] introduced Ya Naa Zangina to Islam and Sheikh Sulaiman Baghayogo’s descendant Yamusa Saghyardu al Wangari converted Zangina to Islam. Zangina, who ruled before the rise of Ashanti, built the first mosque in Sabari and Yamusa Saghyardu al Wangari was made Imam of the mosque. What is particularly interesting in that the stories of my paternal and maternal families converge at Kamshegu and Sabari and later in Yendi, Salaga and Bimbila?
Before I turn my attention to the actual family narratives and how they relate to the history of northern Ghana, I intend to present a brief summary of Dagbon history.
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). According to Drum history, the origins of the Dagomba-Mamprusi-Moshi states began with Tohazie, who migrated from Zamfara area. He married the daughter of the King of Mali and gave birth to Kpugnambo, who became the chief of Biong. Kpugnambo gave birth to three sons (Malgimsim, Nyelgili, and Namzisheli) from his wife Sihisabiga, who was the daughter of the Fetish Priest of Biong. Nyeligili founded the chieftainship of Nangodi and Namzisheli founded the chieftainship of Tongo. His second wife, Suhuyini (daughter of the King of Fadan Grumah) gave birth to Gbewaah. Gbewaah founded greater Dagbon, with his capital at Pusiga,
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.
After the death of Naa Gbewaah, Naa Zirli became ruler of Greater Dagbon. Zirli was succeeded by Naa Tohagu, who was senior to Sitobu, Mnantambo and the others. Not long after he took over the reign, Naa Tohagu began to experience problems with his brothers including Sitobu, who was next in line. The resutlant internal fighting forced Tohagu to move his capital from Pusiga to Gambaga/ Nalerigu, which became capital of the Mamprugu (Mamprusi) State. Sitobu went on to create present-day Dagbon, as we know it. Thus Naa Sitobu can be defined as the first Ya Naa.
Sitobu died in about 1414 and was succeeded by his son Naa Nyagsi (1415-1432) who established his capital at Diyeli or Yendabari (mistakenly spelt as Diari). During the reign of Naa Nyagsi, one of his sons Bizung, created the Dagbon Drummers clan (Lunsi). By royal decree the Lunsi became the Historians and Drummers/ Musicians of the Dagbon state and went on to record Dagbon’s history in song and dance. In discussing the uniqueness of the Lunsi and Dagbon music, prominent American Professor John Miller Chernoff wrote: “Their (Dagomba) music is anchored in epic songs that convey episodes in the history of the six-hundred-year-old dynasty of chiefs, one of the oldest continuous father-to-son dynasties in the world, and perhaps the oldest”.
The Drum History indicates that there are 14 Ya Naas before the reign of Na Zangina (1648-1667), which ushered in new era. Zangina’s conversion of to Islam became big news in the Kingdoms of Mali, Hausaland and other empires, which were engaged in trade with Dagbon. This event (conversion of Zangina) is also the genesis of the story of Yelizoli-lana Lagfu, whose father came from the houses of Sabari Yarna and the Sheikh Mohammed Al-Katsinawi of Kamshegu.
In the next article I will concentrate on Yellzoli-lana Lagfu and the family narratives relating to trade in Salaga, the coming of the Europeans in 1896 and the early colonial period.
Dr. Ahmed Bawa Kuyini
CEVS-Ghana, Tamale & University of New England, Australia
Dukorvi 7 years ago
The truth? From whom? Fading Dabbousi?Indeed!
I don't think Dabbousi really understand what he wrote, I forgot, that's what they (NPP leaders and followers) know best. Victory for NDC 2016.
You can visit Togo, Benin and ... read full comment
The truth? From whom? Fading Dabbousi?Indeed!
I don't think Dabbousi really understand what he wrote, I forgot, that's what they (NPP leaders and followers) know best. Victory for NDC 2016.
You can visit Togo, Benin and all the Ewe speaking countries/regions they'll never vote for your crooked Nana and lying Bawumia. Even children in Ghana knows Bawumia is a liar.
J. D Mahama 7 years ago
Man your rebuttal to this stupid Mifetu is a good one, You really made my day. The guy is really an ignorant fool to say the least.
Man your rebuttal to this stupid Mifetu is a good one, You really made my day. The guy is really an ignorant fool to say the least.
zak 7 years ago
Thank u Mr Fadi Dabbousi we need wise people like u to teach we the lay men the truth .that empty headed propagandist and his friend bokor are fund of writing rubbish articles im happy we've got someone like u to expose them
Thank u Mr Fadi Dabbousi we need wise people like u to teach we the lay men the truth .that empty headed propagandist and his friend bokor are fund of writing rubbish articles im happy we've got someone like u to expose them
gyidie 7 years ago
For his now 'famous refrain' :"You and I were not there"! The pertinent question to ask is this: Has anything changed in the thinking of this confused character?
No, because no amount of rebuttals can resuscitate the politic ... read full comment
For his now 'famous refrain' :"You and I were not there"! The pertinent question to ask is this: Has anything changed in the thinking of this confused character?
No, because no amount of rebuttals can resuscitate the political and professional integrity of the 'poor' guy!
KOO 7 years ago
They will continue to attack Bawumia because the man is making life unbearable for NDC.They are being exposed left,right and center.Any time the acclaimed economist speaks about their shoddy jobs, they panic and react in hord ... read full comment
They will continue to attack Bawumia because the man is making life unbearable for NDC.They are being exposed left,right and center.Any time the acclaimed economist speaks about their shoddy jobs, they panic and react in horde thinking this will help sway peoples minds but quite unfortunate for them his messages are correct and convincing.
oyo 7 years ago
Fadi or what u call yourself, go and listing to president well. President was only reacting to earlier call by the same Bawumia (who is known to have failed his A level exams in tamasco) for northerners to vote for him becaus ... read full comment
Fadi or what u call yourself, go and listing to president well. President was only reacting to earlier call by the same Bawumia (who is known to have failed his A level exams in tamasco) for northerners to vote for him because he was from the north. President said in that rally that if we are to vote base on the geographical location we come from then he should be the one since he was vying for the higher office. Why mid you not see anything wrong with Bawumia call for Mampurises (Bawumia tribe men) to vote for him?
Nii Addo 7 years ago
The God of Abraham, Isaac and Israelis watching Bawumia entering churches to do politics.
Would a Christian be allowed to do same in the mosque the worshiping place of Muhammad's Allah?
In case I should remind you, Churches ... read full comment
The God of Abraham, Isaac and Israelis watching Bawumia entering churches to do politics.
Would a Christian be allowed to do same in the mosque the worshiping place of Muhammad's Allah?
In case I should remind you, Churches and its congregants are being burnt alive, their crime is simply because they are not Moslems.
ALWAYS LYING ABOUT NDC, YOU NPP WILL NEVER LEARN. WE DO NOT NEED TO CAMPAIGN BCOS YOU NPP ARE YOUR OWN WORST ENEMIES. YOUR DESPERATION AND EVIL IS SUFFOCATING YOUR PARTY AND EVERYBODY KNOWS IT. GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR NONSENSE. W ...
read full comment
The truth from Fadi Dabbousi!
None of you parties can convince or fool us. We know the truth. You are scrabbling to continue the loot. Npp did it, Ndc is on throne doing it. And the two as their usual tricks are throwing lies to perpetuate t ...
read full comment
Bawumia is from the Naa Gbewaah family and I just read this article about Kuyini family and Gbewaah history which is interesting. See below:
ntold Northern Ghana History: Narratives from Kuyini and Walji Families – PART ...
read full comment
The truth? From whom? Fading Dabbousi?Indeed!
I don't think Dabbousi really understand what he wrote, I forgot, that's what they (NPP leaders and followers) know best. Victory for NDC 2016.
You can visit Togo, Benin and ...
read full comment
Man your rebuttal to this stupid Mifetu is a good one, You really made my day. The guy is really an ignorant fool to say the least.
Thank u Mr Fadi Dabbousi we need wise people like u to teach we the lay men the truth .that empty headed propagandist and his friend bokor are fund of writing rubbish articles im happy we've got someone like u to expose them
For his now 'famous refrain' :"You and I were not there"! The pertinent question to ask is this: Has anything changed in the thinking of this confused character?
No, because no amount of rebuttals can resuscitate the politic ...
read full comment
They will continue to attack Bawumia because the man is making life unbearable for NDC.They are being exposed left,right and center.Any time the acclaimed economist speaks about their shoddy jobs, they panic and react in hord ...
read full comment
Fadi or what u call yourself, go and listing to president well. President was only reacting to earlier call by the same Bawumia (who is known to have failed his A level exams in tamasco) for northerners to vote for him becaus ...
read full comment
The God of Abraham, Isaac and Israelis watching Bawumia entering churches to do politics.
Would a Christian be allowed to do same in the mosque the worshiping place of Muhammad's Allah?
In case I should remind you, Churches ...
read full comment
A very poor article written by another ndc moron.