Nanung (Dagbani: Nanuŋ, Nanun or Nanumba) is one of the earliest known ancient states in Northern Ghana and currently one of several traditional areas in the region, with Bimbilla as its capital. The Bimbilla Naa is the Overlord or Ruler and president of the Nanumba Traditional Area.Nanung is located in the Eastern Corridor of Ghana, mainly in the Northern Region and parts of the Oti Region.
History
According to oral history, Nanung was founded by Naa Gmantambu (Dagbani: Naa Ŋmantambo), a son of Naa Gbewaa, in the 13th century after migrating south from his brother Naa Sitobu, who founded the present-day Dagbon Kingdom. The same oral history claimed that the new state was subsequently called Nanung, which came from the Dagbani words "Naa" (King or Chief) and "Nua" (Hand). Naa Sitobu is said to have pointed his hand south, and Naa Gmantambu and his followers went in the direction indicated by the hand. So "Naa Nua" (The King's hand) became Nanung.
Royal houses
The 'Skin' (Dagbani: Gbandi or Gbaŋ) is the symbol of authority in Nanung (also called Naam), just as it is in most traditional states in Northern Ghana. Nanuŋ has two royal families that ascend to the Bimbilla Naam in an alternating arrangement. These royal families include Gbuhmayili (Dagbani: Gbuɣma-Yili) and Bangyili (Dagbani: Baŋ-Yili).The princes and princesses from these two royal families are also primarily appointed as chiefs and queens in most towns and villages of Nanung.
Geography
Nanung stretches along the Eastern Corridor, covering districts including Nanumba North Municipality, Nanumba South, and major parts of Nkwanta North. Major towns in Nanung include Lepusi (Dagbani: Lepuɣi), Bincheratanga, Bakpaba, Dimong, Pusiga, Bimbilla, Nakpayili, Wulensi (Dagbani: Wuleɣi), Lungni, Chichahi, Chamba, Taali, Dokpam, Opijua, Nakpayili, Puduya, Binda, Kpassa, Oti-Damanko and Sibi. Nanung borders Togo to the east, Salaga to the west, Dagbon to the north and Dambai and Nkwanta to the south.
While there is documented evidence of the rulers in the colonial and post-colonial eras, evidence of the rulers in the pre-colonial era relies on oral tradition and history passed down through music, drumming, and oral storytelling.
The succession line in Nanung follows a patrilineal system. Consequently, all future overlords are considered direct patrilineal descendants of Naa Gmantambu and, by extension, Naa Gbewaa.[citation needed]
Struggle against colonialism
In late 1896, Nanung was invaded by the German colonial army. Naa Abalsi was the reigning Overloard. Under the command of Lieutenant Valentin von Massow, the German army reached Bimbilla on November 29, 1896, effectively completing the occupation of Nanung. The fall of Bimbilla was generally seen as a precursor to the Battle of Adibo against the Dagbon Kingdom.
Yam farming is the primary occupation of the people in Nanung. In addition to yams, maize, rice, and soybeans are also cultivated in the region.
Transportation
The Oti and Daka rivers, international water bodies in West Africa, flow through parts of Nanung. The rivers' presence supports ferrying, linking villages within Nanung and to other parts of Northern and Central Ghana.
The Eastern Corridor Road, officially the National Highway 2 (N2), is a major national highway stretching from Accra to Northern Ghana. The road links Nanung to Nkwanta and Hohoe in the South, and Yendi and Tamale in the North. In Nanung, the road passes through the centre of major towns including Sibi, Kpassa, Oti-Damanko, Opijua, Bimbilla, Bincheratanga, Bakpaba, and Lepusi.
Education
Bimbico, located in Bimbilla, is the only public tertiary institution in Nanung. It was established in 1962 by the Evangelical Presbyterian Church. It's now called E. P. College of Education, Bimbilla and is a degree-awarding institution.[citation needed]
Notable people
Mohamed Ibn Chambas, politician and international diplomat, 1st President of ECOWAS and former MP for Bimbilla
↑GSS, Ghana Statistical Service (2018-05-23). "261 district MPI reports". statsghana.gov.gh. Ghana: GSS. Retrieved 2025-09-24.
↑GSS, Ghana Statistical Service (2021-11-01). Ghana 2021 Population and Housing Census(PDF). Population of districts and regions – volume 3A (Report). Ghana: Ghana statistical service. Retrieved 2025-09-24.
↑Giulia, Casentini (2014-01-01). "Different ideas of borders and border construction in northern Ghana: historical and anthropological perspectives". Ghana Studies. 17 (1): 177–202. doi:10.1353/ghs.2014.0006.
↑Peter, Skalnik (1987-01-01). "On the Inadequacy of the Concept of the 'Traditional State' Illustrated with Ethnographic Material on Nanun, Ghana". The Journal of Legal Pluralism and Unofficial Law. 19 (25–26): 301–325. doi:10.1080/07329113.1987.10756401.
↑Saibu, Mutaru (2022-03-25). "Access to land in difficult times: an ethnographic study of morally compromised strangers in northern Ghana". Social Dynamics. 48 (2): 314–337. doi:10.1080/02533952.2022.2049156.
↑Moses Diyaane, Awinsong (2024-03-25). "Do Minoritized Cultures Matter? Ethnicity, Identity, and the Politics of Inclusion in Ghana's History and Social Studies Curricula. In "History Education in Africa: Research, Perspectives and Practices"". Springer Nature Switzerland. 48 (2): 91–122. doi:10.1007/978-3-031-61388-3_5.
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