WGS 110: Early States and Kingdoms in Africa

Questions and Answers

Which of the following was one of the earliest kingdoms to emerge in modern Ghana?

Oyo

Ashanti

Mamprussi (correct)

Benin

What is one characteristic of the kingdoms mentioned in the content?

They were acephalocic with no formal government. (correct)

They existed only in oral traditions.

They had democratic systems in place.

They were highly centralized states.

Which major rivers bounded the area where these early kingdoms emerged?

Niger and Volta (correct)

Zambezi and Congo

Nile and Ganges

Amazon and Mississippi

What linguistic group do the people of the mentioned kingdoms belong to?

Gur Signup and view all the answers

Which tribes were not part of the Gur linguistic group in the historical context?

Guan Signup and view all the answers

Which major African empires were located to the south of the kingdoms mentioned?

Ghana, Mali, and Songhai Signup and view all the answers

What challenges did early states in Africa face before establishing governance?

Inter-tribal conflicts and wars Signup and view all the answers

How was justice typically administered in the early kingdoms of Africa?

Through the decisions of a headman of each family Signup and view all the answers

What was the role of a Tengdana in the Gur speaking people's society?

Chief priest and spiritual mediator Signup and view all the answers

Which supreme deity was worshipped among the Gur speaking people?

Weni Signup and view all the answers

Which commodities were commonly traded along the routes from the Asante region?

Gold and kola nuts Signup and view all the answers

What is believed to have influenced the trading practices of the Wangara?

Conversion to Islam Signup and view all the answers

What kind of worship was widespread among the Gur speaking people?

Fetish worship and animism Signup and view all the answers

Which regions were key to the economic life of both the forest regions and western Sudan?

Trade routes from Asante and the Ivory Coast Signup and view all the answers

Which was one of the earliest trading centers established by the Wangara?

Wa Signup and view all the answers

Which kingdom is noted as one of the first to emerge in the region described?

Gonja Signup and view all the answers

From which region did the rulers of Mossi, Mamprusi, and Dagomba originate?

Zamfara Signup and view all the answers

What was the spiritual home of the kings of Dagomba and Mossi?

Gambaga Signup and view all the answers

Which kingdom's capital is Yagbum?

Gonja Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT one of the supposed periods for the founding of Mamprussi, Mossi, and Dagomba?

18th Century Signup and view all the answers

Who did the Gonja people claim to descend from?

Mande warriors Signup and view all the answers

Which event is indicated as occurring as early as the end of the C13th?

Mossi raids Signup and view all the answers

What is one reason given to support the claim of origin for the Gonja people?

Presence of Mande words in their language Signup and view all the answers

Which chief is mentioned as having led the move to establish the kingdom of Mamprusi?

Tohajiye Signup and view all the answers

What is suggested about the identity of the raiders mentioned by some historians?

They may not have been Mossi at all. Signup and view all the answers

Who was the ruler of Dagomba that expanded its territory during the C15th?

Nyagre Signup and view all the answers

During the late C15th, which states served as a defense against Mali and Songhai?

Yatenga and Wagadudu Signup and view all the answers

What is the uncertainty regarding the founding of Gonja?

The exact date of its founding is not clear. Signup and view all the answers

How long did Ndewura Jakpa reign?

43 years Signup and view all the answers

Which region did Jakpa invade around 1939?

Bono Signup and view all the answers

What was the capital of Dagomba during the C15th?

Yendi Dabari Signup and view all the answers

Which kingdoms were organized broadly on the same lines?

Gonja, Mamprusi, and Dagomba Signup and view all the answers

What type of inheritance system was practiced in Dagomba?

Patrilineal Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following accurately describes the political structure of the Mossi kingdoms?

Centralized with strict control Signup and view all the answers

Who traditionally enrobes the divisional chiefs in Gonja?

Local priests and chiefs Signup and view all the answers

What role did the Yar-Naba play in the Mossi kingdoms?

Minister of state overseeing trade Signup and view all the answers

How were the sub-chiefs appointed in Dagomba?

By the Naba or Divisional Chiefs Signup and view all the answers

What social and legal influence was prominent in the Mole-Dagbani states by the 18th century?

Islam Signup and view all the answers

Which group of traders was particularly controlled by the Yar-Naba in the Mossi kingdoms?

Dyala traders Signup and view all the answers

What was one way that Islamic culture influenced the customs in Mamprussi, Gonja, and Dagomba?

Existence of imamas Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Early States and Kingdoms in Africa

The early African political systems evolved from various tribes, languages, and conflicts leading to the establishment of kingdoms.
Key kingdoms to study include Mamprussi, Dagomba, Gonja, and the Mossi states of Yatenga and Wagadugu.
Northern Ghana and Upper Volta were home to various ethnic groups, including the Vagala, Sisala, Dagarti, and Konkomba, sharing the Gur language and cultural background.

Political Structure and Governance

The Gur-speaking people initially had no centralized government; chiefs were local headmen without extensive political authority.
Land was divided into areas known as Tengani, overseen by Tengdana, who acted as spiritual mediators rather than political leaders.
Common religious beliefs included a supreme deity and the practice of animism and fetish worship.

Trade Routes and Commercial Influence

The region was a crucial trade hub connecting Asante and the Ivory Coast with ancient Ghana, Mali, and Songhai.
By the mid-15th century, merchants from Gonja traded kola nuts, with Buipe emerging as a significant commercial center.

Origins and Establishment of Kingdoms

The kingdoms of Mamprussi, Mossi, and Dagomba claimed descent from invaders of the Hausa Banza Bokwoi, originally from Zamfara, settling briefly in Mali before establishing themselves in modern Ghana.
Historical accounts suggest that these kingdoms were active as early as the 11th century, though dates vary with some suggesting foundations occurred in the 12th to 16th centuries.

Organization of Kingdoms

The governance structures of the kingdoms (Gonja, Mamprusi, Dagomba) retained local institutions and class systems, with divisions often reflected in their administrative practices.
Gonja was comprised of nine districts, while Dagomba was divided into fourteen; local priests and chiefs had significant roles in governance.
The Mossi states differed with a more centralized system where the Naba maintained tight control, assisted by ministers of state.

Cultural and Religious Influence

Islam increasingly became predominant in governance and daily life in the Mole-Dagbani states by the 18th century, leading to Islamic features merging with traditional practices.
Significant Islamic influences included the introduction of Muslim legal practices, calendars, and festivals in Mamprussi, Gonja, and Dagomba.

In Dagomba, the Na governed with the help of a Judicial Council and a State Council; succession was patrilineal with chiefs appointed by the ruling Na or Divisional Chiefs.
The Mossi ruling class had a warrior group integral for defense and military conquests, reflecting their centralized governance model.

Conclusion

The early political systems of Africa highlight a blend of diverse cultural backgrounds and governance structures, laying groundwork for contemporary statehood in the region.
These historical kingdoms were crucial in shaping the political landscape of Africa and the subsequent emergence of modern political entities.

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Description

This quiz explores the origins and political systems of early African states and kingdoms. It delves into the inter-tribal dynamics, language influences, and wars that shaped these political entities. Understanding these foundational aspects is crucial for grasping the current nationhood in Africa.