Navrongo
Navrongo is the capital of the Kassena-Nankana District – which is within the Upper East Region) of Ghana. It is near the Burkina Faso border. It is known for its cathedral and its grotto, and is an important market town. Navrongo is located at 10° 53' 24" N, -1° 5' 24" W. Its population in 2005 was estimated to be 25,470 [1]. The terrain is flat and the ecology is typical of the Sahel – arid grassland with occasional shrubbery.
People and History
The people of Navrongo are a mixture of Nankani speakers from Zecco in what is now Burkina Faso, and Kassena Kasem speakers from Tielebe (also in Bukina Faso). The Kassena arrived first in the area, whilst the Nankani arrived later after experiencing pressure from Mossi expansion. The two groups, though they differ linguistically, share many cultural traits.
The town was founded around 1740[1]. During the 19th century, the town became an important staging post on the Sahel caravan route. The wealth associated with this route encouraged fighting for control between the different ethnic groups of the area. At the beginning of the 20th century the British established a base at Navrongo. The town was "civilised by force of arms"[2], and inter-ethnic conflict declined.
Chiefs loyal to the British were installed and "free labour" was used to build roads and government buildings. Locals were also sent to the south of Ghana to mine and build railways.
A Catholic mission was established in 1906 - the White Fathers, a French group made up of French Canadians. They had arrived in northern Ghana after leaving Upper Volta (now Burkina Faso) due to anti-clerical laws that were passed in France (the Fathers believed they would be expelled from Upper Volta). The British allowed them to set up in Navrongo on the condition that the school that they were to establish used English only. Despite a rocky beginning (the Fathers had learnt the wrong local language and only attracted 5 students in the first 18 months), the school eventually became a success – a British official in 1927 said that is was the best school (of only 5) in the north of Ghana[3]
The population is now split fairly evenly between the Kassena and the Nankani speakers. Indigenous African beliefs are followed by the majority. Around a third are Christians, while 5% follow Islam. Like other people in the Sahel region, levels of both fertility and mortality are high. Partly because of this, a health research centre has been established in the area, with some success.
Subsistence level agriculture is the usual occupation of the area, as well as the rearing of goats and cattle.
Navrongo Cathedral
Navrongo Cathedral, as it is now known, was built in 1906, and expanded in 1920. Origianally called "Our Lady of Seven Sorrows," the construction was overseen by the White Fathers. The walls are made of mud, with wooden beams forming the roof. On the inside, the walls are decorated with animal forms, scenes of everyday life, and Christian themes. The site also contains a grotto and accommodation facilities.
Etymology of name
The word "Navrongo" is an Anglicization of the town's Nankani (a dialect of Frafra) name navorlngo. This in turn comes from its Kasem [2] name navoro, which combines the word naga (meaning foot or leg) with voro (meaning the sound of stepping onto crunchy, dry soil).[4]
References
External links
- Navrongo and Lawra homepage - site which details the history, music, and culture of Navrongo. Set up by Peace Corps volunteers.
- Navrongo Health Research Centre - a Ghana Health Service research centre based in Navrongo.