Jump to content

Navrongo: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
m Remove unicode control characters (CHECKWIKI error 16) using AWB (9241)
reduced unecessary repeated info
Line 23: Line 23:
|image_map = Navrongo-location.png
|image_map = Navrongo-location.png
|mapsize =
|mapsize =
|map_caption = Location of Navrongo. Navrongo is in the north east of Ghana, beside the [[Burkina Faso]] border.
|map_caption = Location of Navrongo. Navrongo is in the north east of North Ghana, beside the [[Burkina Faso]] border.
|image_map1 =
|image_map1 =
|mapsize1 =
|mapsize1 =
Line 33: Line 33:
|pushpin_map = Ghana<!-- the name of a location map as per http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Location_map -->
|pushpin_map = Ghana<!-- the name of a location map as per http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Location_map -->
|pushpin_label_position =bottom
|pushpin_label_position =bottom
|pushpin_map_caption =Location of Navrongo in [[Upper East Region|Upper East region]], Ghana
|pushpin_map_caption =Location of Navrongo in [[Upper East Region|Upper East region]]
<!-- Location ------------------>
<!-- Location ------------------>
|coordinates_region = GH
|coordinates_region = GH
|subdivision_type = Country
|subdivision_type = Country
|subdivision_name = [[Image:Flag of Ghana.svg|25px]] [[Ghana]]
|subdivision_name = [[Ghana]]
|subdivision_type1 = [[Regions of Ghana|Region]]
|subdivision_type1 = Region
|subdivision_name1 = [[Upper East Region]]
|subdivision_name1 = [[Upper East Region]]
|subdivision_type2 = [[Districts of Ghana|District]]
|subdivision_type2 = District
|subdivision_name2 = [[Kassena-Nankana District]]
|subdivision_name2 = [[Kassena-Nankana District]]
|subdivision_type3 =
|subdivision_type3 =
Line 123: Line 123:
}}
}}


'''Navrongo''' is a town in north [[Ghana]], near its northern ([[Burkina Faso]]) border. Navrongo is the capital of [[Kassena-Nankana District]] – which is within the [[Upper East Region]] of north [[Ghana]]. Navrongo has a 2012 [[Human settlement|settlement]] population of 27,306 people.<ref name="World Gazetteer"/>
'''Navrongo''' is a town and the capital of [[Kassena-Nankana District]] in the [[Upper East Region]] of north [[Ghana]]. Navrongo is the capital of [[Kassena-Nankana District]] – which is within the [[Upper East Region]] of north [[Ghana]]. Navrongo has a 2012 [[Human settlement|settlement]] population of 27,306 people.<ref name="World Gazetteer"/>


Navrongo is an important [[market town]], known for its [[cathedral]] and its [[grotto]].
Navrongo is an important [[market town]], known for its [[cathedral]] and its [[grotto]].
Line 134: Line 134:
The first ever [[Solar plant|Solar Plant]] with a capacity of 2 [[Megawatts]] in Ghana is located at Navrongo.<ref>[http://www.ghana.gov.gh/.../21835-vra-completes-1st-solar-plant-in-navrongo VRA completes 1st Solar Plant in Navrongo]. ''ghana.gov.gh''.</ref>
The first ever [[Solar plant|Solar Plant]] with a capacity of 2 [[Megawatts]] in Ghana is located at Navrongo.<ref>[http://www.ghana.gov.gh/.../21835-vra-completes-1st-solar-plant-in-navrongo VRA completes 1st Solar Plant in Navrongo]. ''ghana.gov.gh''.</ref>


==History==
==People and history==
⚫
The town was founded around 1740.<ref name="adewoba">Adewoba. 'Aspects of Wealth and Exchange'.</ref> During the 19th century, the town became an important staging post on the [[Sahel]] caravan route. At the beginning of the 20th century the British established a base at Navrongo.<ref name="Arhim">Arhim. 'The Papers of George Ferguson'.</ref>
The people of Navrongo are a mixture of Kassena [[Kasem language|Kasem]] speakers from Tielebe in what is now [[Burkina Faso]], and Nankani speakers from [[Zecco, Burkina Faso|Zecco]] (also in Bukina Faso). The Kassena arrived first in the area, whilst the Nankani arrived later after experiencing pressure from [[Mossi people|Mossi]] expansion. The two groups, though they differ linguistically, share many cultural traits.


⚫
A Catholic mission was established in 1906 - the [[White Fathers]] ("Pères Blancs"), a [[France|French]] group made up of [[French Canadians]]. They came to Upper East region from Upper Volta (now Burkina Faso) due to French anti-clerical laws (the Fathers believed they would be expelled from Upper Volta). The British allowed them to set up in Navrongo on condition that the school that they were to establish used English only. Despite a rocky beginning (the Fathers had learnt the wrong local language and only attracted 5 students in the first 18 months), the school eventually became a success – a British official in 1927 said that is was the best school (of only 5) in the north of Ghana.<ref name="Kimble">Kimble. 'A political history of Ghana'.</ref>
⚫
The town was founded around 1740.<ref name="adewoba">Adewoba. 'Aspects of Wealth and Exchange'.</ref> During the 19th century, the town became an important staging post on the [[Sahel]] caravan route. The wealth associated with this route encouraged fighting for control between the different ethnic groups of the area. At the beginning of the 20th century the British established a base at Navrongo. The town was "civilised by force of arms",<ref name="Arhim">Arhim. 'The Papers of George Ferguson'.</ref> and inter-ethnic conflict declined.


==Economy==
Chiefs loyal to the British were installed and "free labour" was used to build roads and government buildings. Locals were also sent to the south of Ghana to mine and build railways.
⚫
Subsistence level agriculture is the usual [[economic]] occupation of Navrongo, as well as the rearing of goats and cattle.

⚫
A Catholic mission was established in 1906 - the [[White Fathers]] ("Pères Blancs"), a [[France|French]] group made up of [[French Canadians]]. They came to Ghana from Upper Volta (now Burkina Faso) due to French anti-clerical laws (the Fathers believed they would be expelled from Upper Volta). The British allowed them to set up in Navrongo on condition that the school that they were to establish used English only. Despite a rocky beginning (the Fathers had learnt the wrong local language and only attracted 5 students in the first 18 months), the school eventually became a success – a British official in 1927 said that is was the best school (of only 5) in the north of Ghana.<ref name="Kimble">Kimble. 'A political history of Ghana'.</ref>

The population is now split fairly evenly between the Kassena and the Nankani speakers. Indigenous African beliefs are followed by the majority. Around a third are Christians, while 5% follow Islam. Like other people in the [[Sahel]] region, levels of both fertility and mortality are high. Partly because of this, a health research centre has been established in the area, with some success.

⚫
Subsistence level agriculture is the usual occupation of the area, as well as the rearing of goats and cattle.

The Nakana people are part of the Mole-Dagbani language group and in the great time of the Mossi-Dagomba states formed part of the chiefship of Tongo and adjacent Nangodi.


==Navrongo Cathedral==
==Navrongo Cathedral==
Line 153: Line 146:


==Etymology of name==
==Etymology of name==
The word "Navrongo" is an Anglicization of the town's Nankani (a dialect of [[Frafra language|Frafra]]) name ''navorlngo''. This in turn comes from its [[Kasem language|Kasem]],<ref>[http://mysite.verizon.net/vze827ph/kasem.htm Kasem]. ''verizon.net''.</ref> name ''navoro'', which combines the word ''naga'' (meaning foot or leg) with ''voro'' (meaning the sound of stepping onto crunchy, dry soil).<ref name="parsons">St. John-Parsons, Donald. 'Legends of Northern Ghana'.</ref>
The word "Navrongo" is an Anglicization of the name ''navorlngo''. This in turn comes from the name ''navoro'',<ref>[http://mysite.verizon.net/vze827ph/kasem.htm Kasem]. ''verizon.net''.</ref> which combines the word ''naga'' (meaning foot or leg) with ''voro'' (meaning the sound of stepping onto crunchy, dry soil).<ref name="parsons">St. John-Parsons, Donald. 'Legends of Northern Ghana'.</ref>


==References==
==References==

Revision as of 05:58, 18 June 2013

Navrongo
Town & District Capital
Location of Navrongo. Navrongo is in the north east of North Ghana, beside the Burkina Faso border.
Location of Navrongo. Navrongo is in the north east of North Ghana, beside the Burkina Faso border.
CountryGhana
RegionUpper East Region
DistrictKassena-Nankana District
Population
 (2012)
 • Total
27,306[1]
Time zoneGMT
 • Summer (DST)GMT

Navrongo is a town and the capital of Kassena-Nankana District in the Upper East Region of north Ghana. Navrongo is the capital of Kassena-Nankana District – which is within the Upper East Region of north Ghana. Navrongo has a 2012 settlement population of 27,306 people.[1]

Navrongo is an important market town, known for its cathedral and its grotto. Navrongo is located at 10°53′5″N 1°5′25″W / 10.88472°N 1.09028°W / 10.88472; -1.09028. Navrongo's population in 2005 was estimated to be 25,470,[2] and it's population in 2012 was estimated to be 27,306.[1] The terrain is flat and the ecology is typical of the Sahel – arid grassland with occasional shrubbery.

The first ever Solar Plant with a capacity of 2 Megawatts in Ghana is located at Navrongo.[3]

History

The town was founded around 1740.[4] During the 19th century, the town became an important staging post on the Sahel caravan route. At the beginning of the 20th century the British established a base at Navrongo.[5]

A Catholic mission was established in 1906 - the White Fathers ("Pères Blancs"), a French group made up of French Canadians. They came to Upper East region from Upper Volta (now Burkina Faso) due to French anti-clerical laws (the Fathers believed they would be expelled from Upper Volta). The British allowed them to set up in Navrongo on condition that the school that they were to establish used English only. Despite a rocky beginning (the Fathers had learnt the wrong local language and only attracted 5 students in the first 18 months), the school eventually became a success – a British official in 1927 said that is was the best school (of only 5) in the north of Ghana.[6]

Economy

Subsistence level agriculture is the usual economic occupation of Navrongo, as well as the rearing of goats and cattle.

Navrongo Cathedral, as it is now known, was built in 1906 and expanded in 1920. Originally called "Our Lady of Seven Sorrows", the construction was overseen by the White Fathers. The walls are of mud (therefore it is also called "Mud Cathedral"), and wooden beams form the roof. On the inside, the walls are decorated with animal forms, scenes of everyday life, and Christian themes such as the Last Supper and the Bethlehem scene in the entrance area. The site also contains a grotto and accommodation facilities. For copious images and content, see Navrongo Cathedral.

Etymology of name

The word "Navrongo" is an Anglicization of the name navorlngo. This in turn comes from the name navoro,[7] which combines the word naga (meaning foot or leg) with voro (meaning the sound of stepping onto crunchy, dry soil).[8]

References

  1. ^ a b c "World Gazetteer online". World-gazetteer.com.
  2. ^ "2005 population estimates for cities in Ghana". Retrieved 2007-09-26.
  3. ^ VRA completes 1st Solar Plant in Navrongo. ghana.gov.gh.
  4. ^ Adewoba. 'Aspects of Wealth and Exchange'.
  5. ^ Arhim. 'The Papers of George Ferguson'.
  6. ^ Kimble. 'A political history of Ghana'.
  7. ^ Kasem. verizon.net.
  8. ^ St. John-Parsons, Donald. 'Legends of Northern Ghana'.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Navrongo&oldid=560404346"