A history of Konkomba medical culture till 1956

Abstract

People of the savanna ecological zone had frequently found themselves under the control of neighbouring chiefdoms and states before and throughout the colonial period. The Konkomba of the Northern Territories of the Gold Coast (Ghana) were such a people. Throughout much of their history, in both the pre-colonial and colonial periods, they have come under the political control of the Dagomba, Nanumba, Mamprusi, Gonja, Asante, and later, Germans, French and British. However, throughout these political and economic experiences, the Konkomba have maintained their health by utilising plants and herbs that grow in their neighbourhood. This was complemented by adapting and utilising external health practices introduced by their neighbours in the maintenance of their health. Through analyses of the Konkomba conceptualisation of health (ngbanpuan), disease (tebubund) and treatment (ntem), this study employs the qualitative historical method to examine the medical culture of the Konkomba up to 1956. It uses a multi-disciplinary approach to demonstrate that the worldview of the Konkomba and other indigenes of the savanna ecological zone informed their medical practice. As a result, they resorted to both the spiritual world and the natural world of herbs, roots, leaves and various parts of trees to counter sicknesses in their community.