As narrated by Zuu Bukali Sadiq Tia II, Napagi Kidii Gnanpii was a Konkomba woman. She gave birth to Kpatu Naa Ashetu, and Naa Yakubu Nantoo. Kpatu Naa Ashetu gave birth to Yelizoli Lana Lagfu – pakpang bia gnun mali nimmohi, oni gari zuu bia. This means that all their lineage can trace their origin to the first Konkomba woman.
This is the story of a young man quest to make his mother proud
According to Malik Alshabazz Kpatu-Naa Ashetu ” Naawuni Dikijini ku zo saa” was the daughter of Naa Andani Jɛngbariga ” Pupɔrigi zaŋ dirigu bini, n- ŋmaligi sɔŋ dirigu dooni ” ” Yuɣinpini bili gɔhi n-tiligi ŋmɛri” Kpatu-Naa Ashetu is the direct elder sister of Naa Yakubu Nantoo” Nantoo che biɛm ka mɔha gari kɔbiga” “Balim balim kɔligu ku cheei yom “.
When Yani became vacant, the button of ascension fell at the door step of Kpatunaa-Ashetu, since she was the elders.
But because she was a woman, she was far from being considered, since a woman can not be a Yaa-Naa. Upon consultations, the king Makers finally settled on Naa Suman Zoli.
This did not go down well with Kpatu-Naa Ashetu, so when her son Yidantɔɣim who graced the occasion of his uncle, alongside his following, made their way back to Yɛlzoli. On his way back, he decided to stop at his mother’s place to celebrate the success of their family’s victory.
Malik Alshabazz
Malik Alshabazz narration of this story, When Yidantɔɣim entered his mother’s palace, he was met with a rather sad face. After the usual Mother and Son pleasantaries, there was a minute of silent, until Yidantɔɣim decided to break that silence with ” Ni ti zuɣusuŋ” ( an expression of victory). He then continued. .. “our family has won another victory.
My uncle, Naa Suman Zoli has Ascended the Yani skin”In a shocking reaction, his mother, Kpatu-Naa Ashetu (Chief of Kpatuya) spat on the ground. She then called a child from her compound, ” bring yesterday’s T.Z for Yidantɔɣim to eat and be on his way.
I have given birth to a liability. I am ashamed!Oh mother, what crime have I committed to deserve such a ridicule? Asked the Noble Yidantɔɣim. His mother spat yet again and said ” if not a coward, which child celebrates the insult of his father? “ I have been disgraced! She continued. …
So you are celebrating because your uncle, Miɔŋlan Yakubu has been robbed off his rightful claim to the skin of Yani? I am ashamed! If not because I’m a woman, I should have been the Yaa-Naa and you would have been a ” Yaanabia” I refused all the royals of Dagbon and married your father, who was just an Islamic cleric, because a soothsayer had told me I will give birth to a great man if I marry him.
Today, I am shamed! I sacrificed for nothing.Your uncle, Yakuba may die without ascending the Yani skin and our line will be short-chained forever. Is this what you call victory ? I am ashamed of you! Where is the child I called?
Bring Yidantɔɣim yesterday’s tz, so that he can eat and be on his way. At this point, your grandfather, Yɛlizolilan Laɣafu’s smile had left him. He was torn between anger, sorrow and regret.
He realised how ignorant he had been. What a misfortune he celebrated. And in that anger, he uttered words which will bring in its wake, other long years of uncertainty in Dagbon history.” mother, I shall prove to you that I am not a liability.
I will make my uncle Yakuba Yaa-Naa, whether Dagbon likes it or not” These were the words of your grandfather, Yɛlizolilan-Laɣafu ka kpam.” Pakpaŋ dapal yɛlbierili, di ku bie ninyino”.He greeted his mother goodbye and then departed to Yɛlizoli.
Malik Alshabazz
During the reign of Ya Naa Suman Zoli (1778 to 1799), Yelizoli Lana Lagfu became very powerful and feared among his peers. Yelizoli Lana Lagfu was committed to assisting his uncle (his mother’s brother), then Mion Lana Yakubu to acquire Yani.
Yelizoli Lana Lagfu and Naa Yakubu organized their forces and launched a surprise attack on Ya Naa Suman Zoli, defeating his army and killing the Ya Naa. Mion Lana Yakubu then ascended the skin of Yani under the skin name Ya Naa Yakubu I and ruled until his death in 1839.
Ya Naa Yakubu I was the father of Naa Abdulai (Abudu) and Naa Andani, the founders of Abudu Yili and Andani Yili respectively.
During the kingship of Ya Naa Yakubu I, his nephew Yelizoli Lana Lagfu grew in strength and in the process acquired for himself nine different chieftainships. The chieftainships usurped by Yelizori Lana Lagfu included Zabzugu, Gbungbaliga, Tagnamo, Nakpachia, Korli, Kunkon, Demon, and Chim.
The son’s of Ya Naa Yakubu I led by Abdulai, Andani, and Mahami feared that Yelizoli Lana Lagfu was getting too powerful and would eventually capture Yani upon their father’s death. Even though Yelizoli Lana Lagfu was a PAGABIA and under Dagbon tradition had no claim on Yani.
The opportunity for the princes to eliminate the threat posed by Yelizoli Lana Lagfu came when Ya Naa Yakubu I became mentally ill.
Yelizoli Lana Lagfu, hearing about his uncle’s ailment moved to Yendi and put Ya Naa Yakubu I in shackles to prevent him from causing mischief in town. This action of Yelizoli Lana Lagfu made it easier for the princes to convince other yanabihi that Yelizoli Lana Lagfu wanted to usurp Yani.
The princes organized an army of Yanabihi and made war on Yelizoli Lana Lagfu in a battle at Demon. Yelizoli Lana Lagfu was killed in the ensuing battle.
