Mamprusis are an ethnic group in northern Ghana and Togo. Estimates are that there are about 200,000 Mamprusis living in the Northern Regions of Ghana as of 2013.[1] They speak Mampruli, one of the Gur languages. In Ghana, the Mamprusis live mainly in Nalerigu, Gambaga, Walewale, and their surrounding towns and villages in the North East Region. Their origin is in the Upper East Region, principally, Bawku, and they also inhabit parts of the Upper West Region, too.
The Mamprugu Kingdom is the oldest Kingdom, pre dating all others by centuries, in the territory that would afterwards be named The Gold Coast, and subsequently, Ghana. The Mamprusi claim to eldership is based on Cognatic Primogeniture, where succession is through the oldest male child. However, Gbewaa did not practise this, as he designated a younger son Foɣu/Kufoɣu to rule over his eldest child Kachaɣu and his eldest son Zirile.
The Kingdom was founded around the 13th century by the Great Naa Gbanwah/Gbewah[5] at Pusiga, a village 14 kilometres from Bawku, which is why Mamprusis revere Bawku as their ancestral home. Naa Gbanwaah's tomb is in Pusiga.
The Kingdom spans most of the North East, Northern, Upper East and the Upper West Regions of Ghana, portions of Northern Togo, and into Burkina Faso. As a consequence, the King of Mossi, Moronaba, of Burkina Faso, to this day, symbolically, is enskinned by the Nayiri – the king of Mamprugu. Thus, establishing this kingdom as the preeminent of its kind. The only kingdom in present-day Ghana whose relevance and authority cuts across national boundaries on the weight of its humble supremacy.[6]
The name of the kingdom is Mamprugu, the ethnicity is Mamprusi, and the language is Mampruli. Succession to a skin is hereditary. Only male direct descendants of Naa Gbanwaah are eligible.[7]
The story of the Mamprusi monarchy traces its origin to a great warrior named Tohazie. Tohazie, means the Red Hunter. He was called the Red Hunter by his people because he was fair in complexion. Tohazie's grandson Naa Gbanwaah settled in Pusiga and established Mamprugu.[8]
Mamprusi is the eldest of the Mõõre-Gurma (Mole—Dagbamba) ethnic group: Mamprusi, Dagomba, Nanumba, and Moshie.[9]
| Tenure | Nayiiri (Mampurugu Naa) (Rulers) | |
|---|---|---|
| Unknown | ||
| 1688 to 1742 | Atabia Zontuua | |
| 1742 to 1750 | Yamusa Jeringa | |
| 17?? to 17?? | Mahaman Kurugu | |
| 17?? to 17?? | Sulimani Apisi | |
| 17?? to 17?? | Haruna Bono | |
| 17?? to 17?? | Andani Yahaya | |
| 17?? to 1790 | Mahama Kuluguba | |
| 1790 to 1830 | Salifu Saatankugri | |
| 1830 to 1833 | Abdurahamani Dambono, (Dahmani Gyambongo) | |
| 1833 to 1850 | Dawura Nyongo | |
| 1850 to 1864 | Azabu Pagri | |
| 1864 to 1901 | Yamusa Barga | |
| 1902 to 1905 | Sulimanu Sigri | |
| 1906 to 1909 | Ziniya Zore Abduru | |
| 1909 to 1915 | Mahami Wubuga | |
| 1915 to 1933 | Mahama Waafu | |
| 1934 to 1943 | Badimsuguru Zulim | |
| 1943 to 1943 | Salifu Salemu | |
| 1943 to 1947 | Abudu Soro Kobulga | |
| 1947 to 1966 | Abdulai Sheriga | |
| 1967 to 1985 | Adam Badimsuguru Bongu | |
| 1986 to 1987 | Sulemana Salifu Saa | |
| 1987 to 9 June 2003 | Gamni Mohamadu Abdulai | |
| 27 January 2004 to present | Bohagu Abdulai Mahami |
The majority of the Mamprusi people are adherents of Islam. The Mamprusi began converting to Islam in the 17th century due to the influence of Dyula merchants.[11]
Traditional occupations of the Mamprusi include farming and raising livestock.[12]