The newly turbaned chief on horseback as part of the ceremony
A prominent Dagbon architect, Dr. Tanimu Osman, was last Sunday turbaned the Sarkin Zongo of Yendi.
The position is significant in the cultural architecture of Yendi as it underscores the historical linkage between the traditional headquarters of Dagbon and Hausaland. The Germans whose territory Yendi was, supported the establishment of the Zongonaayili of the Zongo Chief’s Palace in Yendi, where part of the caravan trade route from Hausaland in Northern Nigeria could rest.
Eventually, this became part of the Yendi cultural architecture, enhanced by intermarriages.
The Hausas are credited with imparting the blacksmithing to Dagombas. In music, the string music called gonje is laced with Hausa expressions in its appellations. Indeed, there are a lot of cultural similarities between Dagombas and Hausa, as evidenced in especially language.
The turbanning was undertaken by Yaa Naa Abukari Mahama II, and this underscores its importance in the culture of Dagbon. Â The new Sarkin Zongo is known in private life as Dr. Tanimu Osman.
By his position, he is the head of all the Zongo chiefs within the jurisdiction of the Yaa Naa.
The Chief of Yendi is the Head of Zongo chiefs in Dagbon.
He is senior to all Zongo Chiefs in Ghana.
Born and raised in Yendi, the new Zongonaa studied at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) where he bagged a degree in Architecture, from where he proceeded to Osaka, Japan, eventually earning a PhD in Urban Planning and Architectural Engineering.
He manages a reputable architectural engineering company, Associated Beaver Consult based in Accra, and is credited with designing and supervising very important and iconic structures both for government and the private sector.
The new Sarkin Zongo, is the nephew of former Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mahama of blessed memory.