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Muslim Segmentation: Cohesion and Divisiveness in Accra
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 11 November 2008
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This is a study of feuding and conciliation, fissioning and fusing, among the constituent segments of Accra's Muslim community. It articulates the argument of legitimacy – to build a new mosque, to choose a new leader, in effect, to direct the group – and in so doing, politically delineates the principle that by excluding rivals it is feasible to gainsay power for one's own group.
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References
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page 422 note 1 Letter to the Executive of the Ghana Muslim Community from the Chiefs and Elders of Sabon Zongo and Zongon Tuta, 15 April 1982.
page 422 note 2 I have seen two listings of the imamship, and they vary somewhat: one naming 11, of whom three are Fulani, and the other 8, of whom two are Fulani. See Odoom, K. O., ‘A Document on Pioneers of the Muslim Community in Accra’, in Institute of African Studies Research Review (Accra), 7, 3, 1971, pp. 1–31;Google Scholar and Dretke, James P., ‘The Muslim Community in Accra: an historical survey’, M. A. thesis, University of Ghana, Legon, 1968.Google Scholar
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page 424 note 2 In the segmentary model now diagrammed, a number of groups have been excluded, but only because they do not specifically figure in the account.
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page 429 note 1 The Ahmadiyya Movement was brought from Pakistan to Ghana in 1924, and established its headquarters at Saltpond. Most members are Akan, Gã, and Ewe, living in Asante, Eastern, and Western Regions. Acquah, Ione, Accra Survey (London, 1958).Google Scholar
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page 432 note 4 A.D.M. 11/1502, S.N.A. 1086, 24 January 1889.
page 432 note 5 The same was true for Kumasi, as observed by Schildkrout, Enid, ‘Government and Chiefs in Kumasi Zongo’, in Crowder, Michael and Ikime, Obaro (eds.), West African Chiefs: their changing status under colonial rule and independence (New York, 1970), pp. 370–92.Google Scholar
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page 432 note 7 A.D.M. 11/1446 and S.N.A. 35/1926, 9 November 1926.
page 432 note 8 In later years, this was expanded to the selection of tribal heads for the constituent ethnic groups as their members increased. Cited by Geoffrey, op. cit., regarding the 1930 Fulani chieftaincy fight.
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page 433 note 1 In the late nineteeth and early twentieth centuries, after the abolition of slavery in Brazil in 1831, many descendants of West Africans filtered back to the region. Those settling in the Gold Coast called themselves Tabon and were incorporated into the Otublohu Gã.
page 433 note 2 S.N.A. 1348/12, 12 November 1912.
page 433 note 3 The Gold Coast Hausa Constabulary, for example, also included Kanuri and Yoruba.
page 433 note 4 This circumstance was tied up with feuding forces at a lower level, among the contentious Hausa; Braimah represented a respectable compromise for the majority.
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page 434 note 1 Memorandum submitted by Junius Geoffrey to the chairman of the Constitutional Committee, appointed by the National Liberation Council, pursuant to a N.L.C. Decree of 1967.
page 434 note 2 There was Gã interference in such affairs in 1902 when, after the death of Tackie Tawiah, the Gã Manche, his advisor Captain Kudjo, acting on the deceased Chief's desire and ostensibly that of the Muslim community, made an abortive attempt to install Braimah Butcher as Chief of the Muslims. A.D.M. 11/1086, 28 November 1902.
page 434 note 3 S.N.A. 1331/07, Letter from Hausa Representatives to the Colonial Secretary, 20 September 1907.
page 434 note 4 S.N.A. 1331/07, Private Secretary for the information of the Governor, 6 May 1909; A.D.M. 11/1502, 29 May 1909.
page 434 note 5 Geoffrey, Junius, interview, 21 June 1982; and Brimah, M. T., Secretary to Braimah Family, Obituary for Ibrahima Braimah, n.d.Google Scholar
page 435 note 1 Zenua, Abayazidu, Chief of Kanuri, interview, 17 February 1982.Google Scholar
page 435 note 2 Interview with Braimah II, 28 January 1982.
page 435 note 3 Recognising themselves, however, as ‘being Foreigners not Natives’ who ‘can only acknowledge one Chief which is that of Accra’, they first understood that they could ‘only have Headmen between ourselves and not a Chief’. A.D.M. 11/1502, S.N.A. 1331/07, 7/1909, Letter from Abubakar Fulani, Headman of Fulani, to S.N.A. Crowther.
page 436 note 1 Austin, Dennis, Politics in Ghana, 1946–60 (London, 1964).Google Scholar
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page 436 note 4 Personal Communication, Jon Kraus.
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page 437 note 1 Memorandum submitted by Geoffrey, Junius, op. cit.Google Scholar
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page 437 note 3 The Ghana Muslim Representative Council included the Ghana Muslim Community (aliens), the Ghana Muslim Mission (Gã, Fante), the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (an offshoot of the G.M.M.), the National Council of Ghana Muslims (Asante), and the Ghana Muslim Congress (Northerners), formed by the N.L.C. to create peace.
page 438 note 1 ‘Report of a Committee on Unity Among Muslim Organisations in Ghana’, submitted to the National Redemption Council jointly by the Ghana Muslim Community, the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, and the Ghana Muslim Mission, January 1973.
page 440 note 1 Memorandum by Junius Geoffrey to Deborah Pellow, dated 4 April 1985.
page 440 note 2 Ibid.
page 440 note 3 A.D.M. 11/1502.
page 441 note 1 Ibid. 12 May 1902.
page 441 note 2 For example, the celebration of Salla at the close of Ramadan; S.N.A. 86/12, 7 October 1912.
page 441 note 3 A.D.M. 11/1502.
page 441 note 4 In the words of B. B. Shardow, Chief of the Nupe: ‘People don't mind us, because the land is not for us, it is Gã land. If our own land, I am the Chief. I can assist you. All of us Chiefs in Accra, we have nothing to gain from anybody? And there is also no revenue attached to any of these chieftaincies, thus little financial gain to be had’.
page 441 note 5 S.N.A. 1331/07.
page 441 note 6 A.D.M. 11/1502, 15 May 1909.
page 441 note 7 Ibid.
page 441 note 8 It is not clear when they actually left Zongo Lane. According to family tradition, Malam Bako was already at Sabon Zongo when the Gã chiefs were questioning the transfer of land. He won the judgement in 1912. The new Zongo is referred to (as a Hausa settlement) in a Government Letter of 12 April 1912, citing a report of 27 April 1910. Malam Bako continued on as Chief Imam in Accra after moving (thus prior to 1915, the date of the closing of the Mosque).
page 442 note 1 Hammond, Manche D. P. versus Manche Kojo Ababio IV and Anor, London, 12 April 1912.Google Scholar
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