Nanung (, Nanun or Nanumba) is one of the earliest known ancient states in Northern Ghana and currently one of several traditional areas in the region, with Bimbilla as its capital. The Bimbilla Naa is the Overlord or Ruler and president of the Nanumba Traditional Area.Nanung is located in the Eastern Corridor of Ghana, mainly in the Northern Region and parts of the Oti Region.
History According to oral history, Nanung was founded by Naa Gmantambu (), a son of Naa Gbewaa, in the 13th century after migrating south from his brother Naa Sitobu, who founded the present-day Dagbon Kingdom. The same oral history claimed that the new state was subsequently called Nanung, which came from the Dagbani words "Naa" (King or Chief) and "Nua" (Hand). Naa Sitobu is said to have pointed his hand south, and Naa Gmantambu and his followers went in the direction indicated by the hand. So "Naa Nua" (The King's hand) became Nanung.
Royal houses The 'Skin' () is the symbol of authority in Nanung (also called Naam), just as it is in most traditional states in Northern Ghana. Nanuŋ has two royal families that ascend to the Bimbilla Naam in an alternating arrangement. These royal families include Gbuhmayili () and Bangyili ().The princes and princesses from these two royal families are also primarily appointed as chiefs and queens in most towns and villages of Nanung.
Geography Nanung stretches along the Eastern Corridor, covering districts including Nanumba North Municipality, Nanumba South, and major parts of Nkwanta North. Major towns in Nanung include Lepusi (), Bincheratanga, Bakpaba, Dimong, Pusiga, Bimbilla, Nakpayili, Wulensi (), Lungni, Chichahi, Chamba, Taali, Dokpam, Opijua, Nakpayili, Puduya, Binda, Kpassa, Oti-Damanko and Sibi. Nanung borders Togo to the east, Salaga to the west, Dagbon to the north and Dambai and Nkwanta to the south.
Demography, ethnicity and chieftaincy Nanung is multi-ethnic, with Nanumbas, considered direct siblings to both Dagombas and Mamprusi as the main ruling tribe. Nanumbas are also direct cousin to Mossi people () of the Mossi Kingdoms of Burkina Faso. Konkombas are the other major tribe. Other tribes include Chambas, Chokosi, Tem (also known as the Temba or Kotokoli), Ewes, Bassaris, Nawuris, and a host of other indeginous tribes.
Nanung past rulers While there is documented evidence of the rulers in the colonial and post-colonial eras, evidence of the rulers in the pre-colonial era relies on oral tradition and history passed down through music, drumming, and oral storytelling.
PositionIncumbentTenure (Month/Year)Pre-colonial Rulers1st (founder)Naa Gmantambu2ndNaa Sulmwe--/---- to --/----3rdNaa Kumkayuɣiri--/---- to --/----4thNaa Gajiporiga--/---- to --/----5thNaa Napaprigu--/---- to --/----6thNaa Asa--/---- to --/----7thNaa Nakoŋ--/---- to --/----8thNaa Bingura--/---- to --/----9thNaa Nyelinbolgu--/---- to --/----10thNaa Mahmuru--/---- to --/----11thNaa Damba--/---- to --/----12thNaa Sulgu--/---- to --/----13thNaa Gbuɣma--/---- to --/----14thNaa Nmoro--/---- to --/----15thNaa Kurigu--/---- to --/----16thNaa Bang (Naa Baŋ)--/---- to --/----17thNaa Shero--/---- to --/----18thNaa Naatoham Kpema--/---- to --/----19thNaa Mahamaŋ Kalo--/---- to --/----20thNaa Dahamani--/---- to --/----21stNaa Yakubu (Saviɣu Suŋ)--/---- to --/----Rulers under German colonial rule22ndNaa Abalsi1881 to 189623rdNaa Salifu Kurili (1st reign)1896 to 190924thNaa Aduna ŋunbaŋkum1909 to 1917Rulers under British protectorate25thNaa Salifu Kurili (2st reign)1917 to 192926thNaa Ziblim Kuntimsa1930 to 194527thNaa Ablai (Kurugu-Kpaa)1945 to 195728thNaa Naatoham Bla1944 to 1957Overlords during independent Ghana29thNaa Dasana (Gbuŋgbuŋ)1959 to 198130thNaa Abarika Atta (Gbani)1982 to 09/199931stNaa Andani Dasana04/2003 to 06/2014
The succession line in Nanung follows a patrilineal system. Consequently, all future overlords are considered direct patrilineal descendants of Naa Gmantambu and, by extension, Naa Gbewaa.
Struggle against colonialism In late 1896, Nanung was invaded by the German colonial army. Naa Abalsi was the reigning Overloard. Under the command of Lieutenant Valentin von Massow, the German army reached Bimbilla on November 29, 1896, effectively completing the occupation of Nanung. The fall of Bimbilla was generally seen as a precursor to the Battle of Adibo against the Dagbon Kingdom.
Festivals The main festivals in Nanung includes Damba festival, Fire festival (), Eid al-Fitr (), Eid al-Adha (), and Guineafowl festival ().
Economy Yam farming is the primary occupation of the people in Nanung. In addition to yams, maize, rice, and soybeans are also cultivated in the region.
Transportation The Oti and Daka rivers, international water bodies in West Africa, flow through parts of Nanung. The rivers' presence supports ferrying, linking villages within Nanung and to other parts of Northern and Central Ghana.
The Eastern Corridor Road, officially the National Highway 2 (N2), is a major national highway stretching from Accra to Northern Ghana. The road links Nanung to Nkwanta and Hohoe in the South, and Yendi and Tamale in the North. In Nanung, the road passes through the centre of major towns including Sibi, Kpassa, Oti-Damanko, Opijua, Bimbilla, Bincheratanga, Bakpaba, and Lepusi.
Education
Bimbico, located in Bimbilla, is the only public tertiary institution in Nanung. It was established in 1962 by the Evangelical Presbyterian Church. It's now called E. P. College of Education, Bimbilla and is a degree-awarding institution.
Notable people Mohamed Ibn Chambas, politician and international diplomat, 1st President of ECOWAS and former MP for Bimbilla Nantogma Atta, MP and deputy minister under Ghana's first president, Kwame Nkrumah Dominic Nitiwul, Bimbilla MP and former defence minister of Ghana Anas Aremeyaw Anas, renowned investigative journalist Mugeez (fullname: Rashid Abdul Mugeez), award-winning singer and songwriter Sheikh T. B. Damba, politician and diplomat, former Ghana ambassador to Saudi Arabia Stanley Yaw Nandaya, politician and MP for Wulensi Amosa Gbadamosi, former professional footballer and Ghana International Saani Iddi, former MP for Wulensi and deputy minister Salifu Saeed, former Northern regional minister
References