Kingdom of Dagbon
Traditional Empire of Dagbon and Kingdom of the Dagomba people in Ghana / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The Kingdom of Dagbon (Dagbaŋ) is the oldest[2][3][4] and one of the most organised traditional kingdoms in Ghana founded by the Dagomba people (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]
Empire of Dagbon Kingdom of Dagbon Royaume de Dagbon Dagbaŋ | |
---|---|
Capital | Yendi 09°26.5′N 00°0.5′W |
Largest city | Tamale |
Official languages | Dagbani (lingua franca), English, French, Arabic |
Ethnic groups | Dagbamba (Dagomba) |
Religion | Traditional, Islam, and Christianity |
Demonym(s) | Dagbon |
Government | Monarchy |
Gariba II | |
History | |
• Founded | c. 1200s–1300s |
Area | |
• Total | 97,702 km2 (37,723 sq mi) |
Population | |
• 2019 estimate | 5,197,937[1] |
HDI (2021) | 0.63 medium |
Time zone | UTC+0 (GMT0) |
UTC+0 (GMT0) | |
Today part of | Ghana |
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.[9][10][11][12] The contribution of its women is prominent as it has given birth to Ghana's first female minister,[13][14] and Africa's first female cabinet minister.[15][16] Historically, its noble daughter, Yennenga, is regarded as the "mother" of the Mossi kingdoms,[17][18][19] a people who constitute nearly half of the nation of Burkina Faso. The Gundo Naa is the head of all female chiefs, Yani Dullana Zo-Simli Naa I is Paramount Chief for Dagbon with responsibility for collaboration and partnerships in Europe and Zosimli Naa Ife Bell for collaboration between cities of Dagbon and Louisville, Kentucky, US.