| Conventional Long Name: | Empire of Dagbon Kingdom of Dagbon Royaume de Dagbon |
| Common Name: | Dagbon |
| Native Name: | Dagbaŋ |
| Image Map2: | Kingdom of Dagbon (Northern Territories) locator map.png |
| Map Caption2: | Region of the Kingdom of Dagbon (black rectangle) |
| Capital: | Yendi |
| Largest City: | Tamale |
| Official Languages: | Dagbani (lingua franca), English, French, Arabic |
| Ethnic Groups: | Dagbamba (Dagomba) |
| Demonym: | Dagbamba |
| Government Type: | Monarchy |
| Leader Title1: | King (Yaa-Naa) of Dagbon |
| Leader Name1: | Gariba II |
| Sovereignty Type: | History |
| Established Event1: | Founded |
| Established Event2: | Capital relocated to Yendi |
| Area Km2: | 99,839 square kilometers |
| Population Estimate: | 9.8 Million [1] |
| Population Estimate Year: | 2019 |
| Time Zone: | GMT0 |
| Utc Offset: | +0 |
| Utc Offset Dst: | +0 |
| Time Zone Dst: | GMT0 |
| Religion: | Traditional, Islam, and Christianity |
| Hdi: | 0.63 |
| Hdi Year: | 2021 |
| Today: | Ghana |
The Dagbon Empire (Dagbaŋ) is the oldest[2] [3] [4] and one of the most organised traditional Empires in west Africa founded by the Naa Gbewaae (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.[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]
The Lunsi are the court historians of Dagbon and play the foremost role in preserving the kingdom's history.[26] They constitute a guild of specialists charged with the duty of preserving historical and genealogical information, duly arranged in accordance with the succession of chiefs and noble lineages.[27] Earlier history is known through the Lunsi and early Ajami writers. Later history is better known, because in addition to court historians, there are other sources of information, some of them independent of events in Dagbon itself.[28] The Kingdom was founded by Naa Gbewaa, a great grandson of a famous warrior named Tohaʒee.[29] [30] Tohazie fathered Kpuɣnambo (ʒinani) and these line of successors journeyed from east of Lake Chad, stopping at several places including Zamfara, present-day northern Nigeria, and in the Mali Empire.
Archaeological evidence suggest that there were thriving civilisation in Dagbon before the neolithic period. There is evidence of agricultural acitivities and iron industries during the neolithic period.[31] The progenitors of modern Dagomba, the aboriginal Dagombas, are known locally as Dagbon Sablisi.[32] During this period, Dagbon was a decentralised society. It was made of Tinsi(towns) which were headed by Tindaanima (singular: tindana). The Tindaamba mainly oversaw spiritual and religious activities. They undertook the pacification of the tingbana (earth gods), bina (gods), and buga (idols). Today, each town has a tindana who still oversee thes religious activities. Festivals like the Bugum Chugu can be traced back to this era. Similarly, musical instrunments like the Gungong and dances like the Zhem are all from this period.
Naa Gbewaa lineage traces back to Tohazhie, the Red (fair-skinned) Hunter. These histories narrate the story of Tohazhie, who left Tunga, east of Lake Chad, with a small band of cavalry men into Zamfara, present-day Nigeria, before moving on to Mali. Tohazhie married the daughter of the king of Mali, Pag Wabiga, and fathered a son, Kpoginumbo(Ʒinani).[33]
After serving briefly in Mali, Kpogonumbo and his followers came into conflict with the rising Songhay Empire in western Africa, and reprisal attacks from the Songhay forced Kpogonumbo and his followers southward. Kpogonumbo then seized power and ruled over Biun in Gurma. His son, Naa Gbewaa (or Bawa), left Biun with some of his followers to settle at Pusiga in the northeastern corner of Ghana, where he ruled until he became blind. His grave is located at Pusiga in the Upper East Region. Naa Gbewaa's son, Zirili, succeeded him. Not much is known of Zirili. His younger brothers–Tohagu, Shitobu and Gmantambo–each of them travelled outward eventually expanding the borders of the Dagbon Kingdoms. Naa Gbewaa remains in the histories of the kingdoms of Dagbon and the kingdoms of the Mamprugu and Nanumba, as their first king, founding their ruling dynasties through these sons.
Gbewaa established Dagbon in present-day northern Ghana, unifying small decentralised states headed by the Tindaamba. He was resident in Pusiga. Unlike his predecessors who were migratory, Gbewaa established a stable kingdom and a reign marked by stability and prosperity.
Gbewaa fathered the following children[34] [35]
After Gbewaa's death, his children led by his son Shitobu settled briefly at the town of Gambaga before moving south to Namburugu, near Karaga, where he resided. The king became known as Yaa Naa, meaning "king of strength/power". As Sitobu moved south, he unified indigenous Dagombas, Konkomba, Nafeba, Basare and Chamba, who did not have centralised political structures, except for the office of the tindana–the earth priest. The tindana presided over ritual ceremonies and acted as a mediator between the people and the gods of the land. Sitobu's son, Naa Nyaɣsi (r. 1416–1432) succeeded him and embarked on a war of expansion, overthrowing many of the Tindaamba and holding sway over the indigenous people. Naa Nyagsi established his capital at Yani Dabari, located in the area of Diyali, near Tamale, and developed a stable political organisation by installing his sons, brothers and uncles as rulers over the conquered people. The surviving tindaamba continued to function as earth priests.
In the late 19th century, Dagbon was threatened at all angles. The Germans were expanding from the East, the British from the South, and the French from the North and East. The Germans invaded Dagbon in 1896. After the German invasion of Eastern Dagbon at the Battle of Adibo, Eastern Dagbon fell to the Germans. The centuries old Gbewaa Palace was burnt. Eastern Dagbon became part of German Togoland and Western Dagbon became part of the British Gold Coast as a protectorate, not a colony. The British presence prevented further German attacks into Western Dagbon. Following World War I, eastern Dagbon became part of British Togoland. The Gold Coast achieved independence in 1957 and became Ghana. The result of interference of British and German imperialism was a kingdom that was significantly robbed of its once invaluable traditional artifacts, beautiful way of life and a divided Kingdom whose wounds would not completely heal till the second decade of the 21st century.
The division of Dagbon by the Germans and British without regard to the peoples history brought several challenges, mainly in its traditional leadership. The Kingdom since around the 1920s has been characterised by repeated succession disputes and conflict mainly from British and German Imperial interference in Dagbon's succession. Today, the king of Dagbon's court remains at the city of Yendi. The kingdom is divided into territorial chiefdoms, categorised from divisional to village chieftaincies. The monarch of Dagbon is known as the Yaa Naa.
The capital of Dagbon was relocated from Yani Dabari (Ruins of Yani), near Diare, to current Yani (Yendi) in the east because of the invasion of the Gonja people. Gonja attacks in Western Dagbon (Tomo), especially at Daboya dealt a lot of damage to the Dagomba people. Naa Luro, though victorious over the Gonja in a later battle, could not stand the sustained warfare and relocated the capital to Yendi. The Gonja followed eastward Naa Zanjina finally halted the Gonja attacks when he decisively defeated them and killed their chief, Kumpatia, at Sang near Yendi.
Naa Zanjina not only is reputed to be the first Muslim ruler of the Dagbon, but is also credited with encouraging trade. With the relocation of the capital to Yendi and the return of peace, a Muslim community emerged at the Yaa Naa
The extension of trade with the Dyula, and later with the Hausa, linked the Dagbon state with neighbouring kingdoms, like the Fezzan, Egypt, and the Bight of Benin. By 1788, Yendi was said to be bigger than Kumasi and Salaga.
It was culturally closer to, and was the result of, other Sahelian kingdoms, especially to the Mossi Kingdoms, Mali Empire, Songhai Empire, and Hausa Bakwai, with which Dagbon were major trading partners for salt, kola nuts.
When Naa Gbewaa died, many subkingdoms arose including Mamprugu and Nanung. While Gbewaa was still alive, his daughter Yennenga,[36] [37] travelled north and founded the Mossi Kingdoms of Ouagadougou(Dagbani: Waɣaduɣu), Tenkodogo (Dagbani: Tingkurgu) Yatenga (Dagbani: Yatiŋa), and Fada N'Grumah, who constitute the majority of present day Burkina Faso. Other kingdoms that emerged from Dagbon include the Bouna Kingdom[38] of Ivory Coast, the Maghan people of the Baxaran of Maghan, and the Dagaaba states[39] of the Upper West Region of Ghana.
There are two main houses among the royals of Dagbon. These are the House of Abudu and the House of Andani. The royals of Dagbon are skilled in statecraft, lobbying and royal politics. The current Yaa Naa is a member of the House of Andani and the leader of his military wing the Tolon Naa is from the Abudu House. Royals in Dagbon compete intensely for chieftaincy titles but work collaboratively after ascensions.
[40] [41] In the Dagbon Empire, several important families and clans have historically held power, influence, and responsibility within the kingdom. These families are primarily royal, but other influential non-royal families also play significant roles in the administration, culture, and traditions of Dagbon.
1. The Royal Families (Gates):
- Andani Family**: One of the two main royal families responsible for the succession of the Yaa Naa, the paramount king of Dagbon.
- **Abudu Family**: The other main royal family involved in the alternating kingship of Dagbon.
2.Chieftaincy Families (Key Divisional Chiefs):**
--Karaga Family**: The Karaga chiefdom is one of the most important in the Dagbon hierarchy. The Karaga chief often plays a crucial role in the selection and enskinment of the Yaa Naa. one of the influencial clans in karga family is the aburahman clan which is led by the father of the famous Ghanian celebrity shatta bundle.
--Mion Family: The Mion chief is another powerful divisional chief in Dagbon. The Mion chief is traditionally considered a potential successor to the Yaa Naa. the most influential clans in the mion family is the Andani Family which is led by Ablai andani father of Ghanian professional footballer Alhassan Ablai
--Savelugu Family :Like the Karaga and Mion families, the Savelugu chiefdom holds a significant role within Dagbon, particularly in governance and traditional rituals. the most influential clans in the Savelugu Family include;; kantoosi clan, Barigu clan and Dahala Clan just to mention few. the current spiritual leader of Savelugu Sheik Dahala who is Father of the young infamous historian writer and researcher Muhib Dahala comes from the Dahala Clan.
3. Subordinate Chieftaincy. Families:
- **Kpatinga Family**
- **Gushiegu Family**
- **Tolon Family**
- **Nanton Family**
These families are important in the administrative structure of the Dagbon kingdom and often contribute candidates for higher chieftaincy roles.
4. **Non-Royal Influential Families:**
- **Lunsi (Drummer) Families**: The Lunsi families are responsible for preserving the oral history and traditions of Dagbon. They are known for their role as historians, poets, and cultural custodians.
- **Kamo-Naa Families**: These families hold the office of the Kamo-Naa, who are tasked with specific ceremonial and administrative duties in Dagbon.
- **Tindanas (Landowners)**: These are the traditional landowners who maintain control over the lands in various parts of Dagbon. While they may not have political power akin to that of the chiefs, their role is significant in the traditional governance system.
These families, clans, and groups help maintain the social, political, and cultural fabric of Dagbon society. The interaction between the royal and non-royal families contributes to the overall governance and traditions that sustain the kingdom.
Dagbon scholars used a modified Arabic script, the Dagbanli Script, in its communication. Dr. Phllis Ferguson describes it as lexically Arabic, but syntactically Dagbani.[42] Much of this writing system has been lost due European colonisation. Archives and manuscripts that were housed in Moliyili were burn during the German Invasion and Loot of Dagbon.[43] Significant amount of this archives were transported to Denmark in the twentieth century. Today, Dagbon uses an English derived writing system.
There were several scholarly clans in ancient Dagbon, some of them are now lost to time. A prominent family was Moliyili,[44] [45] House of Moli/Mole. Moliyili had support and substantial material resources for their intellectual endeavours from Yaa Naa, the King of Dagbon. The Mole were granted a degree of administrative and legal independence and protection from external interference. They thrived due to robust economic and political backing, which enabled them to engage in continuous intellectual pursuits.
The diverse range of topics covered in their manuscripts, spanning chronicles, biographies, jurisprudence, pilgrimage guides, Arabic linguistics, and Qur'anic commentaries, mirrors their status as a semi-autonomous intellectual and spiritual elite. Notably, certain writings took on a scientific and technological character, such as works related to agriculture, medicine, pharmacology, and metallurgy. These writings not only underscore their independent economic standing but also illustrate that Mole learning was intricately linked to various societal activities, organizations, and institutions.
The Lunsi of Dagbon form a scholarly family with a unique responsibility of the preservation of historical and genealogical knowledge structured around the lineage of chiefs and royal families.[46] [47] [48] The head of the Lunsi is the Namo Naa.[49] Their method of historical preservation involves the recitation and rhythmic drumming of proverbs, each laden with references to the history of the Dagbon royalty and their achievements.[50] Through this oral tradition, the Lunsi not only safeguard the historical legacy of their people but also serve as the storytellers who continually reaffirm the profound connection between the citizens and their revered royal ancestors.[51]
Dagbon resisted colonisation as it had a well organised and powerful army. It was a protectorate, not a colony, allowing chiefs in the Kingdom to have independence other chiefs in Southern Ghana did not have. In 1888, Dagbon became part of a neutral zone called Salaga Area, stretching from Yeji to Yendi, that was established to forestall conflict between the Germans and the British. Dagbon had to fight the Germans to the East, resist the British to the West and South, and the French were to the North. The Germans failed to capture Dagbon after multiple attempts. After the Battle of Adibo, Yendi, the capital of Dagbon was deserted. The Gbewaa Palace was burnt and Eastern Dagbon came under German control. Western Dagbon ultimately came under British control. Yendi, where the Yaa Naa resided, came under German control, separating the Yaa Naa from his people in the west.
From the point of view of German colonialists, the influential Yaan Naa Andani II had disturbed the trade route from the coast to Sansanné-Mangu, a German colonial station in the hinterland. Naa Andani, however, had already told German colonial administrator Hans Gruner beforehand that he believed that "it is the white man who makes the roads unsafe".[52]
In 1896, the Germans led by Valentin von Massow, Hans Gruner and Gaston Thierry clashed with the Dagomba at the Battle of Adibo, destroyed Yendi and made away with valuables. It was a massacre, as the 7,000-man, poorly equipped Dagomba army merely rushed with their bows and arrows at the 100-man well-armed German army.[53] In 1899 the British and the Germans split Dagbon between German Togoland and the Gold Coast.
After the death of Yaa Na Andani II in August 1899, disputes over succession to the Dagbon throne were ongoing: Andani's eldest son aspired to become Na of Savelugu and had asked the Dagomba elders to promote the current Savelugu Na to supreme Yaa Naa. However, this suggestion was met with disagreement from Alasan, Na of Karaga, who claimed the throne for himself. German colonial governor August Köhler himself supported Alasan's claim and, in late March 1900, called for a military expedition who was then led by the colonial administrator in Sansanné-Mangu, Friedrich Rigler.[54] The latter led his troops to Yendi on 5 April 1900 but found the town deserted.[55] Meanwhile, Na Andani's eldest son Idi had moved with his retinue to Sang in the Gold Coast colony and gathered up with those who had fled Yendi.[56] These Dagomba thought they were protected from the Germans, but Rigler still attacked them in British territory on 7 April.[57] The German troops killed at least 83 people in the battle, including Andani's son.[58] After coming back to Yendi, Rigler appointed Alasan as the new Yaa Naa of Dagbon.
Following World War I, eastern Dagbon became part of the British-administered mandated territories established by the League of Nations and reunited with the west, allowing the Yaa Naa to resume control of his people. The British implemented indirect rule, in which Dagomba chiefs administered local government. The British largely neglected the economic development of Dagbon. To pay the head tax the British imposed, Dagomba had to migrate to the southern Gold Coast to work in mines and on cocoa plantations. The Kingdom of Dagbon enjoyed a distinct constitutional position before it became part of the British Togoland.[59] [60]
Today, the Yaa Naa
Over the past century, the Dagomba have faced repeated succession disputes. Following the death of Yaa-Na Mahama II in 1954, a succession dispute arose and the federal government sent troops to Yendi and intervened.
In March 2002, Ya Naa Yakubu Andani II, from the Andani House, was murdered together with forty-two of his elders in a war by supporters of the Abudu House.[62] [63] [64] After eight years, on 10 April 2010, around thirty to forty people were arrested for the murder in Yendi and parts of Accra in preparation for prosecution.[65]
On 16 November 2018, a Mediation Committee that consisted of three Eminent Chiefs finalized its plan to resolve the conflict in Dagbon. The two Houses agreed to the Committees proposal that the Abudu Royal family perform the funeral rites of the late Yaa Naa Mahamadu Abdulai from 14 to 28 of December 2018. Next was to be the funeral of the late Yaa Naa Yakubu Andani II, from 4–19 January 2019. Both obsequies took place at the old Gbewaa Palace in Yendi.[66]
The Sapashina are the military of the Kingdom[67]
To provide reliable sources to back the claims about the Dagbon Empire, here are some references that can help substantiate the information:Books and Academic Journals:"The Kingdom of Dagbon: A Study of the Political Organization and Institutions of the Dagomba" by Ivor Wilks: This book provides a comprehensive overview of the political and social structures of the Dagbon Empire."Ethnicity and Empire in Ghana: A History of the Dagbon Kingdom" by Carola Lentz: This book explores the history of the Dagbon Kingdom, including its political and military aspects."The History of Dagbon, Ghana: From the Origins to 1900" by Ibrahim Mahama: A detailed historical account that covers the foundation, expansion, and governance of the Dagbon Empire.Academic Journals:"Dagbon: The Story of the Rise of a West African Kingdom" in the Journal of African History by Ivor Wilks: An article that examines the early history and development of the Dagbon Empire."Chieftaincy and Political Authority in Dagbon" in the Africa: Journal of the International African Institute: This journal article discusses the chieftaincy system and the role of the Yaa Naa
Dance is called Waa in the Dagbani language. Dancing is an important part of the culture of Dagbon. There are several types of dances performed individually or in groups.[68] [69]
The kingdom holds the largest iron ore reserve in the country.[70] [71]
Trees:
Shrubs:
Herbaceous plants:
Grasslands:
Common foods include sakoro (pounded yam), and tuya (rice and beans)
Traditional breakfast is made of koko or kukuaɣli (porridge) made from either of maize, millet, guinea or a mixture of flours.