Naming and Names in among the Dagbamba of Northern Ghana

This write-up deals with personal names and naming among the Dagbamba of Northern Ghana. It covers names of both cultures at stake in the area, i.e. traditional indigenous names and Islamic names. The first part takes up the examination of indigenous names whereas the second discusses Muslim names. In contemporary times, some indigenes have evolved a system where they combine both names in naming their babies, possibly in order not to lose touch with their indigenous culture in the midst of the dominant Islamic culture in the area. However, many others still clinch strictly to Islamic names as if the opposite reduces their status as Muslims.

Autorentext

Starting from 1979, Dr. Hussein Ibrahim taught in some Secondary Schools and Training Colleges in Northern Ghana before joining the tertiary level in 2001. For several years, he served as the Head of Department, Religious Studies, Islamic University College, Ghana. He is currently the Vice President (Academic Affairs), of the same institution.