WGS 110: Early States and Kingdoms in Africa

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.

Social Dynamics and Leadership

• 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.