SUMMARY

The Dagomba, also known as the Dagbamba, are an ethnic group located mainly in northern Ghana with a population of 1.2 million as well as a smaller population of 12 000 in Togo. In Ghana, the Dagomba are located in the traditional kingdom of Dagbon, which they founded after migrating from northern Nigeria in the 14th century. Dagbon covers 20 000 square kilometers of dry savannah land across several districts in modern-day Ghana, which includes the fertile lands of the Oti river region. The Dagomba continue to be the dominant ethnic group in this area but other ethnic groups also reside in Dagomba including the Gonja. The Dagomba speak Dagbani or Dagbane, which is classified under the Niger-Congo language family under the Gur branch.

The Dagomba are agriculturalists and depend on several staple crops such as maize, yams and millet. They also practice some hunting and fishing as well as maintain livestock such as chicken, goats and guinea fowl. The group is divided religiously with 77% practicing Islam and 22% practicing Christianity; nonetheless, pre-Islamic beliefs are retained by many and this influences the way in which religions are practiced.

Socially, the Dagomba ethnic group is split between those of common descent and those of chief lineage. Patriarchy is used for the common classes whilst a hierarchical five-level chieftaincy structure is used for the chiefly classes, four of which are granted according to royal lineage. The Yaa-Naa is the head chief of Dagbon, who rules with a tiered system of chiefs and court elders beneath. Ascendance within the hierarchy is dependent upon the level attained by one’s father but this is also complicated by polygamy, which is practiced by the Dagomba. This can result in several lines of siblings, children and other relatives violently contesting a chief position after one dies, especially because when a male of royal lineage fails to attain a royal chieftaincy, the royal status of his descendants is lost. Chiefs are usually chosen by the Yaa-Naa with support from an advisory council of elders, both of which are based in the Dagbon court and administrative capital of Yendi. Traditionally, the Kingdom of Dagbon has administrative responsibilities for several acephalous ethnic groups that do not have a chief structure of organization with fixed territorial lands, which includes the Konkomba.

The Dagomba are often allied with the Gonja and the Nanumba, who are both also socially organised according to a chieftaincy system. The Dagomba are also related to the Nanumba, whom they share a common ancestor with, Naa Gbewaa.

The Dagomba has clashed previously with the acephalous Konkomba (see Dagomba, Gonja, Nanumba – Konkomba).

Gonja (also called Guang, Guan and Ngbanya) is an ethnic group in northern Ghana which makes up about 4% of the country’s total population. The Gonja people have a long established and complex chieftaincy system with roots in the seventeenth century, and the group’s leadership has traditionally been rotated among divisional chiefs through a formalised system. Gonja today forms two administrative districts; East and West Gonja. The main livelihood of the group is farming.

A number of clashes over land rights and political representation have taken place among the tribes in northern Ghana. The Gonja tribe has usually been allied with the Namumba and Dagomba tribes against the Konkomba people.

Gonja has been involved in the non-state category of UCDP organised violence.

The Nanumba people numbers about 55 000 and are mainly farmers. Like their Dagomba and Gonja neighbours, they have a long established chieftaincy system. The Nanumba district, in northeastern Ghana, covering an area of about 2000 km², which is where a majority of the group resides, partly includes the Oti and Daka river region. Especially the Oti river region has particular fertile lands and is thus an important farming area.

The Nanumba have traditionally been allied with the Dagomba and Gonja against the Konkomba, whose claim to land and autonomy they don’t recognize.

Nanumba has been involved in the non-state category of UCDP organised violence.