You may skip over the genealogies of Christ in the gospels, but to some people and cultures they can be very significant. Learn about the Mamprusi people’s traditions in regards to their king’s genealogy.
Gaba, the “Adulterous Widow” Charm
William discusses adulterous widows and the effect they have on hospital patients in northern Ghana.
2017 Damba Festival in Nalerigu
Another year, another Damba Festival! This year Heidi was able to attend the festival with me to see the main events. One of the coolest things however was that I was invited to attend the Na’akyimma Wa or Young Men’s Dance on the nights leading up to the festival. Here is a slideshow of photos […]
Nyin ni i zɔ diri la din malisa, ka nyin ni i dɔ’ara diri din tɔa
You and your friend get what’s sweet and you and your relation gets what’s bitter. – Mamprusi Proverb
Gbinnya’ari: Laziness in Mampruli
Sometimes other languages say it best. The word for laziness in Mampruli is gbinnya’ari which is transliterated as “butt roots.” So a lazy person is a gbinnya’adaana or “one with butt roots.” They’ve been sitting on their butts doing nothing for so long that they’ve grown roots!
Zenabu’s Baby Naming Ceremony
My good friend Kolbugri‘s second wife Fozeaa just had another baby girl and they invited us to the suna (baby naming ceremony). I was honored to be invited to the observe the ceremony where the Muslim elders come and bless the child. This is a private ritual that I had not yet seen in my […]
Magic Charms, Black Cats, and the Power of Jesus
Follow the title link above to read an article and photos I contributed to IMB.org about magic and superstitions objects in northern Ghana.
Buŋŋa putoo zugu ka Naawunni mɔŋŋi u yiili.
It’s because of the donkey’s wickedness that God refused him a horn. – Mamprusi Proverb
Mamprusi in the Basel Mission Archives
William discusses some rare, century-old images of Mamprugu taken by Basel Mission doctor Rudolf Fisch on his 1910 excursion into the “Hinterland” of Gold Coast. The images capture scenes and cultural expressions that are no longer found in Ghana’s Northern Region.