CHRIST LIVES INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL

VIRTUAL LEARNING NOTES

SUBJECT: HISTORY WK: 1

KNOWING OUR ORIGIN

What is your full name?

Well if you have your full name written, then you may wonder why you were called
that way.
This week, we will learn about where we are from, which tribe we belong to, which
region we can mostly hear our names being mentioned.
Firstly:
Let’s learn how all people in Ghana are grouped.
Ghanaians were previously grouped in clans and tribes during the time of the barter
system of trade from (1725-1745).
There is the Ashanti tribe which was the largest and still is, because they cover about
half of the entire landscape of Ghana. They are famous for their skillful artworks and
their trademarks, kente cloth, extravagant funerals and crafty mask and sculptures.
Ashanti’s mostly bear the following names; Acheampong, Addai, Addo, Asare,
Annan, Asante, Adomako, Afful, Akoto,Akuffo, Darko, Donko, Dwomoh,
Frimpong, Gyasi, Mensah, Oppong, Sarpong, Takyi, etc. They are of the Akan
group.
The traits of the Ashanti’s are powerful, militaristic and highly disciplined people.
They migrated from the vicinity of the North Western Niger River after the fall of
the Ghana Empire in the 13th century.
There is also the Mole-Dagbon, the second most populous tribe in Ghana. You will
likely find 1 out of 7 people of Ghanaians to hail from Mole-Dagbon. They are
highly populated in the northern parts of Ghana such as Bolgatanga.
They are skillful and creative in the making of baskets and their status in marketing
are being recognized internationally.
Mole-Dagbons mostly bear the following surnames; Alheri, Anamzooya, Andi,
Anfani, Anisung, Anzansi, Asana, Balima, Banbangtaba, Bangbebu, Bangda,
beninye, Bineti, Chalpon, Cehntiwuni, Dahama, Daliri, Faako, Hikolana, Jenda,
Jemda, Jilma, Jitora, Kasi, maltiti, Mbo, Naani, Napaga, pini, Puumaya, Suglo,
Velim, Wuninmi, Wunko, Yalsumah,Yiko, Zoosim etc.
The Mole-Dagbon are very influential in marketing. They are of the Mole-Dagboni
ethnic group. The Mole-Dagbons migrated from north-east of lake Chad to the south
of the Niger bend Zamfara, which is modern day Nigeria.
There is also the Fante tribe, which have dominated the coastal parts of Ghana and is
nest to the highly populated people of the Akans (1st is Ashanti’s) and mainly found
in Cape Coast. They are well known for their uphold of traditions and culture up to
this day. Most Fantes bear the following surnames;
Family names:
Dua - wood
Kuntu - Blankson
Kumi Ba - Kumson / Koomson
Kwei Ba - Quayson, Quayeson, Kwei, Quaye, Kweison or Kwaeson.
Akorɔma - Hawkson
Nyameba - Godson
Ɛbo - Rockson eyc
The Fantes are very strong in heart and mind. They are also submissive and reliable.
Fantes migrated from Techiman (Tekyiman) what is now the north western Asante
region during the 17th century.