The glass beads considered sacred and used in the puberty (Manaa Ndiom) and marriage (Bijam) rites of Nafana women are stored within a calabash bowl, its lid lying next to it. Most of the beads are imported varieties typical of those that circulated in the Atlantic trade period. On top of two other lidded calabash bowls rests a pair of iron manacles or shackles which are included among ritual paraphernalia. Ahenkro, July 1995.
Calabash drums accompany songs sung by Nafana women during the celebration of puberty (Manaa Ndiom) and marriage (Bijam) rites. These drums are played exclusively by women. The drums are made by filling a large hollowed-out calabash or gourd (chrɛ in Nafaanra) with water. A smaller calabash bowl (chrɛgbɔɔ in Nafaanra) floating upright in the water provides the surface on which the women drum. This short video shows the technique by which women strike the floating calabash and the rim of the large calabash with small calabash ladles held in their right hands. Visible at the bottom of the larger calabash drum are maize (bleju in Nafaanra) kernels tossed into the drum by passing dancers. The women sing as they drum. Boase, 11 November, 2018. Length: .23 minutes.
A 1965 collection of oral histories by University of Ghana, Institute of African Studies researcher Kwabena Ameyaw, who visited several locations in Brong-Ahafo: Banda; Hani and Nsawkaw; Nwase-Branam; and Wenchi. The collection Includes "Tradition of Banda" (pp. 1-15) and "Tradition of Bue" (Bui; pp. 16-18). "Tradition of Banda" was based on a 20 Nov. 1965 interview with Nana Kofi Dwuru, Omanhene; Opanin Kofi Gyatto; Odikro Kwadwo Donko; Imam Braima; and Tahiru Banda. To cite: Ameyaw, Kwabena. 1965. Tradition of Banda. In, Traditions from Brong-Ahafo, nos. 1-4. No. 1, pp. 1-15. Institute of African Studies. University of Ghana, Legon. 77 pages.
Rights:
No Known Copyright
Publisher:
Institute of African Studies, University of Ghana, Legon
Young girls wear the sacred beads and necklaces associated with the girls' nubility rites, known in Nafaanra as Manaa Ndiom. They are dressed in Manaa Ndiom attire as part of a cultural celebration associated with the commissioning of the Banda Cultural Centre. Manaa Ndiom is a time when adolescent girls come together to learn from their female elders as they transition to womanhood. Here they walk alongside women carrying wooden stools to the Cultural Centre grounds. Adua Bedeaba leads the group as Almata follows. Ahenkro, 21 July, 1995.
Oral history of Gangoolo Katoo (house), Sanwa, describes how the family came to settle in the Banda area and their role in selecting chiefs. The history lists former male and female heads of family. To cite: Stahl, Ann, and James Anane. 2011. Gangoolo Katoo, Samwa [Sanwa]. In, "Family Histories from the Banda Traditional Area, Brong-Ahafo Region, Ghana, 1986," pg. 6. Brochure circulated 1989, reissued with photos and additional histories in 2011. 2 pages.
Based on interviews conducted in 1986, "Family Histories from the Banda Traditional Area, Brong-Ahafo," was originally circulated in 1989 and reissued in 2011. The 1989 brochure included oral histories of 30 Banda area families. The histories of three additional families and photos were added to the 2011 brochure. The individual family histories and associated photos (where available) are also posted as separate documents in the Banda Through Time Repository. To access, search by house (katoo) name. To cite this work: Stahl, Ann, and James Anane. 2011. "Family Histories from the Banda Traditional Area, Brong-Ahafo Region, 1986." Brochure circulated 1989, reissued with photos and additional histories in 2011. 49 pages.
Oral history of Gbԑԑnlԑԑ [Gbeenlee] Katoo (house), Gbao. This was the first family history recorded as part of the Banda Research Project. The history describes how the Gbԑԑnlԑԑ family came to live in the Banda area, relating also the history of the Brafour segment of the family who live in Ahenkro (Kafͻnͻ/Kafono Katoo). It relays how the Jakari Fetish was brought to the area. Former male and female heads of family are listed. To cite: Stahl, Ann, and James Anane. 2011. Gbɛɛnlɛɛ Katoo, Gbau [Gbao]. In, "Family Histories from the Banda Traditional Area, Brong-Ahafo Region, Ghana, 1986," pp. 11-13. Brochure circulated 1989, reissued with photos and additional histories in 2011. 4 pages.
Young girls wear the sacred beads and necklaces associated with the girls' nubility rites, known in Nafaanra as Manaa Ndiom. They are dressed in Manaa Ndiom attire as part of a cultural celebration associated with the commissioning of the Banda Cultural Centre. Manaa Ndiom is a time when adolescent girls come together to learn from their female elders as they transition to womanhood. Pictured, front row, L-R: Mariyama Puwee, Ama Kyerah (wearing white), Adua Bedeaba, Sarah Photo, Yaa Broni, __, Alamata, Adwoa Fordjour. Swordbearer, right: Kwabena Sekedua. Women in back row, L-R, Toryaa (center) and Afua Basabasa. Ahenkro, 21 July, 1995.
Oral history of Falong Katoo (house), Fawoman, describes how Falong family came to settle in the Banda area and later established their home in Fawoman. The history lists former male and female heads of family. To cite: Stahl, Ann, and James Anane. 2011. Falong Katoo, Fawoman. In, "Family Histories from the Banda Traditional Area, Brong-Ahafo Region, Ghana, 1986," pg. 5. Brochure circulated 1989, reissued with photos and additional histories in 2011. 2 pages.
Rights:
Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial
Publisher:
University of Victoria Libraries
Location(s) Facet:
Fawoman
Subjects:
Kakala; Falong Katoo; Family history; Kralongo; Migration
Subjects Facet:
Banda (Brong-Ahafo Region, Ghana); Wars; Oral history; Nafana (African people)
Creator:
Stahl, Ann B. ; Anane, James
Contributors:
Dr. Ann B. Stahl; Kwame Tailor; Osei Kofi; Kofi Sunu
Oral history of Habaa Katoo (house), Ahenkro, describes how the family came to live in the Banda area and their movements in relation to wars between Banda and Asante. Also described are negotiations to settle a dispute with Kulango people and the history of how the family acquired the Kete dance from Kulango people. A list of former male and female heads of family is provided. To cite: Stahl, Ann, and James Anane. 2011. Habaa Katoo, Banda-Ahenkro. In, "Family Histories from the Banda Traditional Area, Brong-Ahafo Region, Ghana, 1986," pg. 16. Brochure circulated 1989, reissued with photos and additional histories in 2011. 4 pages.
Rights:
Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial
Publisher:
University of Victoria Libraries
Location(s) Facet:
Ahenkro
Subjects:
Kakala; Kete; Latolo; Bui ; Family history; Migration; Habaa Katoo
Subjects Facet:
Banda (Brong-Ahafo Region, Ghana); Music; Rites and ceremonies; Gold; Wars; Oral history; Ashanti; Gongs; Kulango (African people); Nafana (African people)
Creator:
Stahl, Ann B. ; Anane, James
Contributors:
Dr. Ann B. Stahl; Afua Kumah; Abraham Forjour; Adoa Tami; Enoch Mensah