Ghana: Information about the Dagomba tribe in Ghana
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 May 1992 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | GHA10822 |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Ghana: Information about the Dagomba tribe in Ghana, 1 May 1992, GHA10822, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ab75c.html [accessed 8 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
According to The New Encylopedia Britannica (1989, 846), the Dagomba, also known as the DagBamba, reportedly inhabit the northen region of Ghana. Documentation-Réfugié (2-11 Sept. 1989, 8) reports that the Dagomba comprise 15.8% of the total population of Ghana. The Dagomba are a patrilineal society divided into commoners and chiefly families. Matrilineal descent, however, is recognized for its "contribution of sprititual attributes" (The New Encylopedia Britannica 1989, 846.). The Dagomba, who belong to the Mole-Dagbane ethnic group, speak a language called Dagbane. According to the Area Handbook Series: Ghana: A Country Study (Nyrop 1971, 101),
Dagbane serves commonly as a lingua franca throughout a large part of the north and was once the officially recognized language of the Northern Territories under British rule
For further information on this subject, please refer to the attached document.
References
Nyrop, Richard F., ed. 1971. Area Handbook Series: Ghana: A Country Study. Washington: American University, Foreign Area Studies.
Documentation-Réfugiés [Paris]. 11-20 September 1989. No. 92. "Le Ghana," p. 8.
The New Encyclopaedia Britannica. 1989. Micropaedia. 15th ed. Vol. 3. Chicago: Encyclopaedia Britannica Inc.
Attachment
The New Encyclopaedia Britannica. 1989. Micropaedia. 15th ed. Vol. 3. Chicago: Encyclopaedia Britannica Inc.
