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Tree Seedlings:

 

Soil Cultivation:

 

 

 

Family Structures:

Family structures of Kusasis still include uncles, aunts, nieces, etc and sometimes a whole village may belong to a single family. Politics, administration, social order and values are family centered. There is a well structured division of labour between men and women in families. Gender responsibilities in family structures are well established and maintained; guidelines are in place for household duties, social getherings, and even the type of crops to produce are gender based. Cattle which are usually used in a system of dowry, by the groom to pay the bride's father usually are owned by men. Women do not normally purchase or own cattle but may rear smaller animals like Sheep, goats, birds, etc for extra income. In a typical compound house, men/boys usually sit outside while women/girls stay inside except in times of high temperatures. Most families prefer to have boys than girls because girls eventually marry to other families. Men are thought how to connect with the ancesstors as soon as the reach adulthood and become responsible for the family welfare. Fortune tellers are contacted and misfortunes that may harm the family in the future can be prevented.

 

Traditional Chiefs:

Traditional Chiefs still play vital roles in maintaining tradition, cultural values and order. The Kusasi paramount Chief's sit is in Bawku. Any chief in the Kusasi traditional area in Ghana is selected and enstooled by the Bawku Chief (Naba), including the Zebilla Chief. The Bawku Naba is the head of all Kusasis. Currently the paramount Chief is Naba Abugrago Azoka (right); a member of the Upper East traditional council of chiefs as well. The Bawku chief according to tradition used to be entooled by the Nayiri in Nalerigu; the head of all Mamprusis. After Ghana gained its independence in 1957 things changed due to interference from political leaders and this was accelerated by the fact that the majority of the people in both Bawku West and East are Kusasis. The problem has caused a number of tribal wars and a large number of prominent people and male youth killed. Therefore, Bawku is not a safe place in times of political leaders selections, especially if there is a major change in political leadership at the Presidential level. However both Kusasis and Mamprusis inter-marry and so it is high time the locals grow pass this problem because it slows down development and people are reluctant to invest in the town. Tribalism should be buried in politics and those who are capable of leading the people be elected to bring development and prosperity to the area, no matter what tribe they are.

 

Religion:

Both Moslem and Christian religions are practiced by Kusasis. Others worship idols and therefore connect with their anccestors by way of making sacrifices. Polygamy is praticed by Kasasis, but with the introduction of Christianity in the late 1800s, monogamy seems to take over and there is less arranged marriages. Early churches established in the area include the Assemblies of God Church, Catholic Church and the Presbyterian Church. Assemblies of God Church dominates in the area.

 

The Samanpiid Festival, hosted by the paramount chief is celebrated by Kusasis in the Bawku Traditional Area in November and December every year. Its significance is to give thanks to the gods for good harvest. There are a hosts of sacrifices followed by merry-making with a lot of traditional music to climax it-- the Bawku style.

 

Business in Bawku:

Bawku, one of the brisk commercial towns in Northern Ghana, has suffered major economic setback in recent times due to a series of factors; the main one being instability. There is a history of armed violence between the two ethnic groups- Mamprusis and Kusasis. A Ghana News Agency survey showed that the other factor responsible for the decline in commerce in Bawku is that it has no central market. An old one was demolished about five years ago for re-construction under the urban three projects. However, the execution of the project suffered a setback due to the death of the contractor in a motor accident shortly after work begun. Virtually every part of Bawku is now a market with mini-markets dotting all parts of the town the people deem appropriate. Ironically, two other markets near Bawku - Bazua and Zebilla - are growing at a faster pace with traders from the Northern Region, Upper West and some parts of the Brong Ahafo Regions patronising them. An interview with the business community in Bawku revealed that some businessmen and women from Bawku have re-located their businesses to other parts of the region notably Bolgatanga and Zebilla. While some traders feel secure doing business in Bawku, others do not; the general insecurity and decline in commercial activities are some of the reasons. The decline in business is further reflected in a reduction in the assembly's revenue mobilisation.

 

 

 

 

Kusasi Paramount Chief:

Naba Abugrago Azoka

 

Kusasi Women:

Kusasi Women carry their babies on their backs.

 

Zebilla Tree Nursery Workers:

Members of Zebilla Tree Nursery.

 

Kusasis.

Kusasis are a tribe in the north eastern and the south eastern part of Ghana and Burkina Fasso (Boulgou Province), respectively in West Africa. In Burkina Fasso, the neighboring language to the west is Nankani, a related dialect to Frafra and to the north and east, the Bissa. Kusasis in Ghana are north of the Gambaga scarp. To the west are the Talensi, Frafra and Nabdem; to the south are the Mamprusis and east are the Bimoba and Moba. Kusasis occupy about 700 and 3,300 square km in Burkina Fasso and Ghana, respectively. They occupy two administrative districts in Ghana known as Bawku East and Bawku West Districts in the Upper East Region. About 75% of Kusasis live in Ghana and the language spoken by Kusasis is known as Kusaal. Kusasis speak two dialects depending on geographic location. Kusaal's western dialect is known as Tuan and the eastern dialect is called Agol. The language is closely related to Dagbani and Mampruli, Frafra and Moore. In Ghana, Zebilla is the administrative town for the Bawku West and Bawku is the administrative town for Bawku East District. Bawku West include towns like Tilli, Binaba, Kusanaba, Zongbeyire, Sapeliga and Kobori and was recently carved from Bawku East District in 1988. Towns in Bawku East include Bazua, Binduri, Pusiga and Garu. Kusasis are usually warm and welcoming to visitors.