Naa Gbewaa (also known as Nedega or Kulu Gbagha) is the founder of the Kingdom of Dagbon, in what is now northern Ghana. His sons and daughters are credited with founding several states,[1][2] including the Mossi kingdoms of Burkina Faso.[3] He established a stable and prosperous kingdom.[4] Naa Gbewaa's shrine is located at Pusiga, 90 km east of Bolgatanga.[5][6] His descendants continue to pay respects at the shrine.[7]
Gbewaa fathered the following children:[8][9][10][11][12]
When Gbewaa grew old, he preferred Fɔɣu, who was not the eldest son, to be his successor. Zirile, the eldest son, learnt of his father's intentions, and went on to murder Fɔɣu.[citation needed] When Gbewaa was informed about the death of his preferred successor, it did not take long for him to die. The historians of Dagbon, the Lunsi,[13] uses a euphemism, that, Gbewaa disappeared in to the ground.[14] When a King dies in Dagbon, Gmamprugu, and Nanung, euphemisms are used to announce their death.[15][16]
Kachaɣu, the eldest child, took on the regalia of Gbewaa and made herself Queen, but Zirile forced her to give it up.[17] Not much is recorded about Zirile by the Historians of Dagbon. After Zirile, most of the children, including Kachaɣu, followed Shitobu, and they maintained Dagbon as the name of the lands they ruled.[18] Tohagu, who shared the same mother as Zirile, ruled over a small portion of land in what will become Gmamprugu.[19] Kachaɣu became the first Gundo Naa, the most senior female royal title of Dagbon.[20] Yennenga (Yemtori) travelled northward and established the Mossi Kingdoms.[21] Gmantambo moved further south and founded Nanung.[22]