Dagbanli Ajami and Arabic Manuscripts of Northern Ghana
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For centuries, Ajami, the modified Arabic scripts used in writing African languages, have been deeply embedded in the history and culture of many Islamized societies of Africa. Ajami has played an important role in the spread of Islam in Africa and continues to be used by the speakers of more than ten major African languages for everything from poetry and historical writing to road signs and advertisements. Nevertheless, Ajami is little known outside the communities where it is used. Many of the oldest Ajami manuscripts are in danger, and few of those with a scholarly interest in these materials have access to them. All documents were in the possession of Baba Issahak when they were scanned. All information about these manuscripts, including their history and their contents comes from Baba Issahak. Baba had little or no information about some of the manuscripts, especially those in Arabic (Salatu, Nahaanu Junuudu, Salatu Allah Ameen) and Hausa (Afa Ajura 2).
The Dagbanli Ajami manuscripts digitized in this project are of critical significance for the Muslim population in northern and northwestern Ghana. Ajami texts in Ghana in the Hausa language are common, including dozens archived in the Arabic Library in the University of Ghana Balme Library, but manuscripts in Dagbanli are extremely rare and not well documented. More than simply texts, these manuscripts are the lyrics to songs composed by Afa Yusif Ajura, which he performed in the course of public proselytizing and public sermons. This project enables scholars and interested members of the public to have access to dozens of pages of Dagbanli Ajami texts largely unknown both within the Dagbamba community, including many of Afa Ajura's living followers, as well as within the academy.
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Nahaanu Junuudu
(1964)This is one of the three manuscripts in the collection written in Arabic. Baba Issahak had no information on the contents or context of the text. The song text is contained on the first page, while written glosses added ... -
Duniya Be Shiegukam Da Naara (Everything in the World Has an End)
This is Afa Ajura's longest and most expansive piece, covering a wide range of topics, with the over-arching theme of morality as well as mortality. It references the history of the Dagbon Kingdom, African history, and ... -
Photographs of the Dagbanli Ajami and Arabic Manuscripts of Northern Ghana project
(2019-05)Images of Baba Issahak, Afa Ajura and the fieldwork team: Karl J. Haas, PhD, Saeed Alhassan Dawuni, and Fuseini Abdul-Fataw in Tamale, Ghana. -
Ti Pagiri Ti Duuma Naawuni Ti Suhimu (We should thank our Lord God and pray to Him)
Consists of 26 lines. This piece is an exhortation to pray. -
Afa Zaa Ngun Pag' Ngo Buguli (Any Malam's Wife Who Has Gone to Lesser Gods)
During the mid 20th century, it was common practice for couples who had trouble conceiving to have the woman visit a shrine to be treated by a tendana (fetish priest). Treatments administered by the tendanas generally ... -
Afanim Tula A Yirim O (The Tijaniya Malams Have Gone on Demonstration)
Consists of 74 lines of verse. The piece addresses the malams who have gone to follow Shaykh Ibrahim Niasse and joined the Tijaniyya community. Afa Ajura condemns the practices of the Tijaniyya followers, and specifically ... -
Kutiligi (Someone who refuses advice, but who will come to do the right thing out of necessity)
Consists of 46 lines of verse. The author addresses the Tijaniyya community, suggesting that they are following the wrong path to God, and that they should rather follow the path outlined in the Qur’an. -
Haifa N Zo (Be Careful, My Friend)
(1959)This song is advising listeners to be mindful of choices in life, telling them to avoid sin and to behave in accordance with the teachings of the Qur’an. -
Damba Do Goli (The Month of Prophet Mohammed's Birth)
(1951)This piece was intended to educate people about the life of Prophet Muhammad. It discusses his life and parents and how the Qur’an was revealed to him. -
Afa Bo Mbala Cheni Gindi Tinsi? (What Kind of Malam Travels From Town to Town?)
This song challenges Shaykh Ibrahim Niasse (Niasse; Inyass), a prominent Tijaniyya leader and preacher from Koalack, Senegal, who toured Ghana in 1961. During his trip, he visited Accra, Kumasi, Prang, Tamale, Walewale, ...