Draft:Nanung

According to oral history, Nanung was founded by Naa Gmantambu (Dagbani: Naa Ŋmantambo), a son of Naa Gbewaa, in the 13th century after migrating south from his brother Naa Sitobu, who founded the present-day Dagbon Kingdom.^[7][8][9] 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.^[10][11]

The 'Skin' (Dagbani: Gbandi or Gbaŋ) 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 (Dagbani: Gbuɣma-Yili) and Bangyili (Dagbani: Baŋ-Yili).^[12][13][14]The princes and princesses from these two royal families are also primarily appointed as chiefs and queens in most towns and villages of Nanung.

Symbol of traditional authority in Nanung

Early depictions of Gbuhmayili (Right) and Bangyili (Left) Symbols

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 (Dagbani: Lepuɣi), Bincheratanga, Bakpaba, Dimong, Pusiga, Bimbilla, Nakpayili, Wulensi (Dagbani: Wuleɣi), Lungni, Chichahi, Chamba, Taali, Dokpam, Opijua, Nakpayili, Puduya, Binda, Kpassa, Oti-Damanko and Sibi.^[15][16][17]

Capital and largest town in Nanung

A rural community in Nanung

Nanung borders Togo to the east, Salaga to the west, Dagbon to the north and Dambai and Nkwanta to the south.

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 (Dagbani: Moɣi) of the Mossi Kingdoms of Burkina Faso.^[18] Konkombas are the other major tribe.^[19][20] Other tribes include Chambas, Chokosi, Tem (also known as the Temba or Kotokoli), Ewes, Bassaris, Nawuris, and a host of other indeginous tribes.^[21][22]

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.

Naa Andani Dasana, 31st Overlord of Nanung

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.

In late 1896, Nanung was invaded by the German colonial army.^[26] Naa Abalsi was the reigning Overloard.^[27] Under the command of Lieutenant Valentin von Massow, the German army reached Bimbilla on November 29, 1896, effectively completing the occupation of Nanung.^[28] The fall of Bimbilla was generally seen as a precursor to the Battle of Adibo against the Dagbon Kingdom.^[29]

The main festivals in Nanung inludes Damba festival, Fire festival (Dagbani: Buɣum Chuɣu), Eid al-Fitr (Dagbani: Konyuri Chuɣu), Eid al-Adha (Dagbani: Chimsi Chuɣu), and Guineafowl festival (Dagbani: Kpini Chuɣu).^[30][31]

People at a damba festival

Chiefs at a damba festival

People at a fire (Buɣum) festival

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.^[32]

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.

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.

• 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