14th century – 15th century
Northern Ghana and Gurma
The Mamprusi kingdom emerged from a dynastic tradition linking eastern origins, Gurma, and the settlement of Na Bawa in Pusuga. Na Bawa is presented as the first Mamprusi sovereign, while later succession conflicts among his descendants produced the Mamprusi, Nanumba and Dagomba dynastic formations. The chronology remains approximate and depends on oral traditions and open genealogical calculations.
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The Story
Northern Ghanaian traditions place the ancestors of the Mamprusi sovereigns to the east. The predominant tradition identifies Tohajiye, a hunter living in a cave near the kingdom of Malle and Hausa territory, as the direct ancestor of Na Bawa, the first Mamprusi sovereign. Through a sequence of marriages, warfare and migration, the lineage moved from the Malle region into Gurma.
Tohajiye's descendant Kpogonumbo reached Biun in Gurma, where he became chief after killing his father-in-law. His conflict with Daramani, king of Gurma, ended in a marriage alliance that produced Na Bawa, also known as Gbewа or Na Nedega in Dagomba and Mossi traditions. Na Bawa later established his residence in Pusuga and fought the Kusasi and Bisa to consolidate authority.
After Na Bawa's death, a succession dispute transformed the political landscape. Zirili displaced his sister Kachiogo after she briefly acceded to the throne, while other brothers founded or took control of separate formations. Tohago established Nalerigu and founded the present Mamprusi dynasty; Ngmantambo became king among the Nanumba, and Sitobo's son Nyaghse founded the Dagomba dynasty.
14th century – 15th century
Northern Ghana and Gurma
The Mamprusi kingdom emerged from a dynastic tradition linking eastern origins, Gurma, and the settlement of Na Bawa in Pusuga. Na Bawa is presented as the first Mamprusi sovereign, while later succession conflicts among his descendants produced the Mamprusi, Nanumba and Dagomba dynastic formations. The chronology remains approximate and depends on oral traditions and open genealogical calculations.
Continue exploring
The Story
Northern Ghanaian traditions place the ancestors of the Mamprusi sovereigns to the east. The predominant tradition identifies Tohajiye, a hunter living in a cave near the kingdom of Malle and Hausa territory, as the direct ancestor of Na Bawa, the first Mamprusi sovereign. Through a sequence of marriages, warfare and migration, the lineage moved from the Malle region into Gurma.
Tohajiye's descendant Kpogonumbo reached Biun in Gurma, where he became chief after killing his father-in-law. His conflict with Daramani, king of Gurma, ended in a marriage alliance that produced Na Bawa, also known as Gbewа or Na Nedega in Dagomba and Mossi traditions. Na Bawa later established his residence in Pusuga and fought the Kusasi and Bisa to consolidate authority.
After Na Bawa's death, a succession dispute transformed the political landscape. Zirili displaced his sister Kachiogo after she briefly acceded to the throne, while other brothers founded or took control of separate formations. Tohago established Nalerigu and founded the present Mamprusi dynasty; Ngmantambo became king among the Nanumba, and Sitobo's son Nyaghse founded the Dagomba dynasty.
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