“The religous identity of Muslims is more easily ascertained by their outward appearance and actions than that of Christians. Their dress, suh as agbada robes, represents part of the traditional dress of northerners, but is also similiar to the dress of other Muslims throughout West Africa. The architecture of northern Ghana, especially that of some mosques, is derived from the Islamic architecture of Western Sudan.”
“The Hausa from Nigeria, a predominalty Islamic group, have had an impact of the development of northern Ghanaian society. Hausa and Muslims identity are closely linked in the minds of many Ghanians. Many Muslim customs and actions are associated with the Hausa. The Hausa lnaguage spread throughout the West African region during the trans-Saharan trade and is still commonly used in northern Ghanaian Islamic schools. Many non-Muslim Ghanaians refer to northerners, regardless of ethnicity or religion, using the generic term, “Hausa”.
“Muslims have created national groups to represent their interest. Like the umbrella Christian organizations, the Muslim Representative Council of Ghana manages religious, social, and economic conflicts that affect their religious brethren. Together with the Chrisitan groups, they have worked to maintain a harmonious relationship between followers of the two religions. When Islam was first introduced into northern Ghana, it brought with it a system of writing, a new language, and institutions of formal education. At least a basic comprehension of Arabic, the language of the Qur’an, is still required of Muslims everywhere. Islamic education in northern Ghana, however, has received little assistance from the national government, not enough attention from Muslim societies.”
“Many young Muslims in Ghana today have to look elsewhere to receive an Islamic education, especially at the advanced levels. Growing contacts with the rest of the Islamic world have opened up new opportunities for young Ghanaians. Increasing numbers of students have been receiving full scholarships to go to Islamic countries in North Africa or the Middle East to attain their university education.”
Source: Culture and Customs of Ghana
No comment yet, add your voice below!