The Mamprusi are an ethnic group in northern Ghana and Togo. Estimates are that there are about 200,000 Mamprusi living in the Northern Regions of Ghana as of 2013. They speak Mampruli, one of the Gur languages. In Ghana, the Mamprusi live mainly in Nalerigu, Gambaga, Walewale, and their surrounding towns and villages in the North East Region.
History
The Mamprugu Kingdom is one of the oldest Kingdoms 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 Naa Gbewaa at Pusiga, a village 14 kilometres from Bawku. The Mamprusi people revere Pusiga as their ancestral home and Naa Gbanwaah's tomb is in Pusiga.
The Kingdom spans most of the North East, Northern Region 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, this kingdom is established as one of the preeminent kingdom in the region.
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.
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.
Mamprusi is the eldest of the Mõõre-Gurma (Mole—Dagbamba) ethnic group: Mamprusi, Dagomba, Nanumba, and Moshie.
Rulers +List of leadersDavis, David C. "'Then the White Man Came with His Whitish Ideas...': The British and the Evolution of Traditional Government in Mampurugu." The International Journal of African Historical Studies, vol. 20, no. 4, 1987, pp. 632. . Accessed 31 July 2021.TenureNayiiri (Mampurugu Naa) (Rulers) Unknown1688 to 1742Atabia Zontuua 1742 to 1750Yamusa Jeringa17?? to 17??Mahaman Kurugu17?? to 17??Sulimani Apisi17?? to 17??Haruna Bono17?? to 17??Andani Yahaya17?? to 1790Mahama Kuluguba 1790 to 1830Salifu Saatankugri1830 to 1833Abdurahamani Dambono,(Dahmani Gyambongo) 1833 to 1850Dawura Nyongo 1850 to 1864Azabu Pagri 1864 to 1901Yamusa Barga 1902 to 1905Sulimanu Sigri 1906 to 1909Ziniya Zore Abduru 1909 to 1915Mahami Wubuga 1915 to 1933Mahama Waafu 1934 to 1943Badimsuguru Zulim 1943 to 1943Salifu Salemu 1943 to 1947Abudu Soro Kobulga 1947 to 1966Abdulai Sheriga 1967 to 1985Adam Badimsuguru Bongu 1986 to 1987Sulemana Salifu Saa 1987 to 9 June 2003Gamni Mohamadu Abdulai 27 January 2004 to presentBohagu Abdulai Mahami
Culture 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.
Traditional occupations of the Mamprusi include farming and raising livestock.
References
Further reading
External links Autobiography of Alhaji Mumuni Bawumia Launched Feature Speaker - Mahamudu Bawumia A Life in the Political History of Ghana