Nanumba in Ghana

The Nanumba have only been reported in Ghana
Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

The Nanumba are their own cultural and linguistic group, but they are closely related to the Dagomba, a larger tribe. The Nanumba are located in eastern Ghana, primarily in the northern part of the Bimbila district, between the White Volta and Oti Rivers. They are especially concentrated in Bimbilla, their capital town.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Most of the Nanumba are farmers. They grow yams, peanuts and corn. Most farm work is done by the men; however, the women often assist in harvesting. The Nanumba also have side occupations such as weaving and carving. They trade crafted goods and as a means of subsidizing their meager agricultural earnings. Some of the Nanumba men also leave their homes for several months to work on southern cocoa plantations. Hunting and fishing are also important, and the meat is shared among all of the villagers. They have a relatively low standard of living. Kerosene stoves are available, but other commodities such as electricity and pure drinking water remain very poor. Their women draw water from a dammed river. Their tainted water causes bone diseases due to the water-borne Guinea worms. The Nanumba live in compact, oval-shaped, walled villages. Each household consists of related men, their wives and their children. Their round, clay huts must be rebuilt every five years due to rain damage. The villages have no central building. The chief owns the land and leases portions of it to each family. The Nanumba have a large family system, which is divided into hierarchically arranged clan units. The clan elders exercise moral authority over their units. The chief, who can only be the son of a previous chief, controls the judicial system, while the police enforce social control. The society is patrilineal, which means that the line of descent is traced through the males. However, spiritual attributes are recognized matrilineally, or through the females. The children go to school when they reach the age of six; however, their primary duties include housework. While they appear to be a sedate farming people, the Nanumbas have been engaged in power struggles with surrounding tribes for centuries. Their battles have been so serious that it has reduced their population at times. They consider themselves to be an independent people and are highly resistant to any attempts to influence their social behavior or spiritual beliefs. The most famous festival among the Nanumba is the Yam Festival. During this celebration they enjoy singing and dancing.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The majority of the Nanumba people are Muslims, but their form of Islam is tainted by traditional religion. They believe that the creator is unapproachable, so they look to local spirits for their daily needs. They are involved with idol and ancestor worship.


What Are Their Needs?

The Nanumba people need additional missionaries and medical teams. They do not have a system for pure drinking water which results in bone diseases.


Prayer Points

Pray for the Lord to send people who can help the Nanumba people with their water needs. Pray for the Lord to give the Nanumba people an abundant harvest this year as a testimony of his goodness and power. Pray for the Holy Spirit to move on Nanumba hearts so they will seek and find the only Savior. Pray for a movement to Christ among this people group.


Scripture Prayers for the Nanumba in Ghana.


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Nanumba
People Name in Country Nanumba
Alternate Names Nunuma
Population this Country 82,000
Population all Countries 82,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
Pioneer Workers Needed 2
PeopleID3 13950
ROP3 Code 107080
Country Ghana
Region Africa, West and Central
Continent Africa
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Northeast Tamale area, as far as Yendi   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Country Ghana
Region Africa, West and Central
Continent Africa
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Northeast Tamale area, as far as Yendi.   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Primary Religion: Islam
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.10 %)
0.20 %
Ethnic Religions
20.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
79.80 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Dagbani (82,000 speakers)
Language Code dag   Ethnologue Listing
Primary Dialect Nanuni
Dialect Code 9071   Global Recordings Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Dagbani (82,000 speakers)
Language Code dag   Ethnologue Listing
Primary Dialect Nanuni
Dialect Code 9071   Global Recordings Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Dagbani

Primary Language:  Dagbani

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1935-1955)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1974)
Bible-Complete Yes  (2006-2021)
FCBH NT (www.bible.is) Online
YouVersion NT (www.bible.com) Online
Possible Print Bibles
Amazon
World Bibles
Forum Bible Agencies
National Bible Societies
World Bible Finder
Virtual Storehouse
Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Audio Recordings DAVAR Partners recording, complete Bible DAVAR Partners International
Film / Video God's Story video God's Story
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Dagbani Jesus Film Project
Film / Video LUMO film of Gospels Bible Media Group/LUMO
Film / Video Walking with Jesus video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Scripture Earth Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Android Bible app: Dagbani YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Download audio Bible app as APK file Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App Download audio Bible app from Google Play Store Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Dagbani YouVersion Bibles
Text / Printed Matter Topical Scripture booklets and Bible studies World Missionary Press
Photo Source Copyrighted © 2024  Kerry Olson  All rights reserved.  Used with permission
Map Source Bethany World Prayer Center  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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