An Archaeology of Nkonya Wurupong and Its German Encounters, Volta Region, Ghana
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University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh AN ARCHAEOLOGY OF NKONYA WURUPONG AND ITS GERMAN ENCOUNTERS, VOLTA REGION, GHANA. UNIVERSITY OF GHANA COLLEGE OF HUMANITIES DEPARTMENT OF ARCHAEOLOGY AND HERITAGE STUDIES BY DESMOND OWUSU-ANSAH (STUDENT ID. 10339509) THIS THESIS IS SUBMITTED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF ARCHAEOLOGY AND HERITAGE STUDIES, UNIVERSITY OF GHANA IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF A MASTER OF PHILOSOPHY DEGREE IN ARCHAEOLOGY JULY 2018 University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh Declaration I do hereby declare that this thesis is the result of my own research carried out in the Department of Archaeology and Heritage Studies, University of Ghana under the supervision of Dr. Wazi Apoh and Dr. Aba M. Eyifa-Dzidzienyo. This thesis has not been presented either in full or in part to any other institution for the award of a degree. DESMOND OWUSU-ANSAH …………………….. ………………….. (CANDIDATE) (SIGNATURE) (DATE) DR. WAZI APOH ……………………… ............................. (PRINCIPAL SUPERVISOR) (SIGNATURE) (DATE) DR. ABA M. EYIFA-DZIDZIENYO …………………. ………………...... (CO-SUPERVISOR) (SIGNATURE) (DATE) ii University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh Dedication I dedicate this thesis to Dr. Wazi Apoh and the Volkswagen Stiftung Foundation. I also devote this work to my parents (Mr. Daniel Owusu-Ansah and Mrs. Agnes Owusu-Amoako), siblings and all loved ones. iii University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh Acknowledgments My utmost appreciation goes to the Almighty God for granting me good health throughout the study. This thesis became successful through the selfless efforts of numerous people. I acknowledge with profound gratitude the support of the Volkswagen Foundation through Dr. Wazi Apoh for funding this thesis. Special thanks go to my supervisors Dr. Wazi Apoh and Dr. Aba Mansah Eyifa-Dzidzienyo for their constructive criticisms and advice which improved the quality and originality of this work. I must commend the support and words of encouragement from colleagues, teaching and non- teaching staff of the Department of Archaeology and Heritage Studies, University of Ghana. They include Prof. James Boachie-Ansah, Prof. Benjamin Kankpeyeng, Dr. David Akwasi Abrampah, Mr. Gideon Agyare, Mr. Edward Adum Nyarko, Mr. Daniel Kumah, Mr. Ernest Kodzo Fiador, Mr. Edmond Kwaku Ocloo, Mr. Bright Amedekey, Mr. Bossman Murray and Mrs. Cindy Agyei Frimpong. I am most grateful to them. I am highly indebted to Dr. Patrick Fordjour, Mrs. Ingrid Lipka Fodjour and all members of the committee on “Old German Rest-House Excavation and Restoration Project”. Beyond this, I remain thankful to the people of Nkonya Wurupong for their immense contributions to the completion of this thesis with particular reference to Nana Asiakwa II (the Paramount chief, Nkonya Wurupong Traditional Area), Nana Obiade II (the Akwamuhene, Wurupong Traditional Area), Okyeame Adu (chief of Burbulla), Nana Owusu Ansah, Ante Aggie, Abusuapanin Johanes Atta, Derrick and all the research team. I thank you and may the good Lord bless us all. iv University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh Abstract This research revolved around the study of the precolonial and colonial cultural lifeways of the people of Nkonya Wurupong. This archaeological investigation was carried out to assess the impact of the 19th and 20th centuries cultural contacts and interactions among the Nkonya people and with other local groups of people (especially the Akan imperial forces) and the colonial authoritative force (Germans) in Nkonya Wurupong, Volta Region of Ghana. An eclectic approach was employed in this study in an attempt to understand and interpret the nature of these encounters and interactions among the various groups of people at Nkonya Wurupong. The eclectic approach included information gathered through a review of archival and documentary sources, ethnographic research, reconnaissance survey as well as archaeological excavations. The study revealed that the interactions between Nkonya Wurupong and the Akan imperial groups led to the usage of some Akan cultural traits in the Wurupong community. The study also revealed that the contacts between the indigenes of Wurupong and the German colonial administrators at Nkonya Wurupong brought about transformations in their education, healthcare services, religion and farming systems. The study has unearthed and provided insights into how the presence of the German colonials in Wurupong relegated the authority of the traditional set-up. The vestiges of the German colonial past in the area serve as shared heritage resources that buttress the presence of the Germans in the Wurupong community. Recommendations were also made on how best to develop the heritage resources of Nkonya Wurupong into tourist attractions. v University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh TABLE OF CONTENTS DECLARATION ..........................................................................................................................i DEDICATION..............................................................................................................................ii ACKNOWLEDGMENT ............................................................................................................. iii ABSTRACT................................................................................................................................. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS ..............................................................................................................v LIST OF FIGURES ......................................................................................................................ix LIST OF TABLES ...................................................................................................................... xii CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY…………….....1 1.0. Introduction…………………………………………………………………………………..1 1.1. Background to the Study………………………………………………………………..........1 1.2. The Research Area………………………………………………………………………….. 4 1.2.1. Geography of the Study Area……………..…………………………………………….….6 1.2.2. Climate of the Study Area .………………………………………………………………...6 1.2.3. Vegetation of the Study Area ……..……………………………………………………….6 1.2.4. Relief and Drainage of the Study Area…..…………………………………………………7 1.2.5. Geology of the Study Area..………………………………………………………………..7 1.3. Research Problem………………………………………………………………………….....9 1.4. Research Aims……………………………………………………………………………....12 1.5. Research Objectives………………………………………………………………………...12 1.6. Research Questions………………………………………………………………………....12 1.7. Sources of Information and Research Methods…………………………………………….13 1.8. Limitations to the Research…………………………………………………………………13 1.9. Thesis Organisation…………………………………………………………………………14 CHAPTER TWO: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY AND CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK...16 2.0. Introduction………………………………………………………………………………... 16 2.1. Research Methods …….………………………………………………………………....... 16 2.1.1. Archival and Library Research.……………….………………………………………… 16 2.1.2. Reconnaissance Survey……………………………………………………………….......17 2.1.3. Photography……....………………………………………………………………………19 vi University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh 2.1.4. Ethnographic Methods.……….…………………………………………………………. 19 2.1.5. Ethical Consideration…………...………………………………………………………...21 2.1.6. Archaeological Excavation...……………………………………………………………. 21 2.1.7. On-Site Classification and Post Field Laboratory Analysis…………………………….. 23 2.2. Conceptual Frameworks.………………………………………………………………….. 24 2.2.1. Material Culture Studies………………………………………………………………… 24 2.2.2. Culture Contact Studies……..…………………………………………………………... 27 2.2.3. Agency……………………………………………………..……………………………. 30 CHAPTER THREE: PRECOLONIAL IMPERIALISM & GERMAN COLONISATION OF TOGOLAND (VOLTA BASIN) ..……………………………………….…………………… 31 3.0. Introduction…………………………………………………………………………….…. 31 3.1. Precolonial Imperialism in the Northern Parts of Present-day Volta Region of Ghana...... 31 3.2. Assessment of the Presence of Germans in Togoland and their Impact in Nkonya Area…32 3.3. Nkonya State under Foreign Imperial Forces……………………………………………...38 3.4. Review of the Archaeology of Germans in the Volta Region …………………………….40 CHAPTER FOUR: ETHNOGRAPHIC FINDINGS IN NKONYA WURUPONG…………...43 4.0.Introduction………………………………………………………………………………...43 4.1. Ethnography of Nkonya Wurupong……………………………………………………….43 4.1.1. Toponomy of Nkonya and Wurupong…………………………………………………..44 4.1.2. Migration or Settlement Histories of Nkonya People………………………………….. 45 4.1.3. Linguistic Perspective………………………………………………………………….. 52 4.1.4. Political Structure…………………………………………………………………….... 53 4.1.5. Religious Belief Systems….……………………………………………………………56 4.1.6. Organisation of Wurupong Community and Its Clan System.………………………... 58 4.1.7. Forbidden Acts………………………………………………………………………... 62 4.1.8. Traditional Festivals……………………………………………………………….….. 63 4.1.9. Economic Engagements………………………………………………………………. 65 4.1.10. Waste Disposal………………………………………………………………………..66 CHAPTER FIVE: ARCHAEOLOGICAL FIELDWORK AT NKONYA WURUPONG…..69 5.0. Introduction……………………………………………………………………………....69 5.1. Archaeology of the German Colonial Rest-House……………………………………....69 vii University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh 5.2. Test Pit Excavation……………………………………………………………………...71 5.3. Archaeological Features………………………………………………………………...75 5.4. Archaeology of Api-Tor Site of Wurupong………………………………………….... 76 5.4.1. Trench One Excavation…………………………………………………………….... 76 5.4.2. Trench Two Excavation………………………………………………………………81 5.4.3. Trench Three Excavation……………………………………………………………. 84 CHAPTER SIX: CLASSIFICATION AND ANALYSIS OF