Га́на Фрафра́ халықтары́ның сипаттамасы́

Ethnic group in Ghana

The Frafra are a subset of the Gurunsi peoples living in Upper East Region. The adopted name 'Frafra' is a corruption from colonial times of the salutation "Yɛ fara fara?" when translated means "How is your suffering [work]?". It may carry pejorative overtones in local usage. Frafra language speakers number approximately 300,000. The larger group of Gurunsi people inhabit southern Burkina Faso and Upper East of Ghana. The Frafra people, located in Northeast Ghana and southern Burkina Faso. It consists of four groups that share a similar culture, language, and overall background. These groups are known as the Gurensi, Talensi, Nabdam and Kusasi. "Frafra" is often used as a blanket term for these groups because of their shared similarities but they are distinguishable groups that vary linguistically as well as in other key areas. The region is mostly rural and a majority of people participate in agriculture.

Bolgatanga is the commercial center of the Frafra area. Other important villages and towns include Bongo, Zuarungu, Zoko, and Pwalugu. Tongo is the principal town of the Talensi people, who are ethnically distinct from the Frafra, but most of whom are bilingual in the Frafra language. The Frafra are located between the white and red Volta Rivers. The region in which the FraFra inhibit is measured in at about 500–700 feet above sea level. Large hills, consisting mostly of granite, are dispersed throughout the area two of which can be identified as the Tongo Hills and the Central Range Hills. In relation to climate, there are two main categorizations: tropical continental and interior savanna. Both a rainy and dry season are experienced here from May to October and November to March respectively with the mean annual rainfall coming in at around 40 to 50 inches. Due to the existence of both season, there is a large rain of humidity readings, the highest being around 90 percent in the rainy season, and the low at around 20 percent in the dry. Monthly temperature means also vary greatly with the highest in March at 970 degrees Fahrenheit and the lowest being 810 degrees Fahrenheit in August. Vegetation consists of wooded savanna with trees being low to the ground, including shea trees and bury, and grass growing fairly tall.

Besides scarification, the Frafra don't have many examples of embellishing the body. Historically, they work in the fields naked, if not for the occasional skin worn over the back of a man or leaves to cover the women. Skins were meant to connect to a male's ability to hunt while leaves represent the women's relationship with the crops. Traditionally, leaves were chosen purposefully and used as a status marker. Individuality is an important concept to the Frafra, so what they wear plays a major role. The Frafra view clothing as an extension of a person and what they represent. They also believe that clothing can gain significance after being worn by someone important. Animal skins play an important role in the wardrobe of male Frafra members. They are worn slung over the back, secured by sewing together the front and hind legs as well as wrapped around the waist. The skins were historically worn by a tendanna , otherwise known as the custodians of the earth, who assumed the role of religious and political leader in traditional Frafra practice. They wore animal skins as well as a black twine cap to signify their roles. When a new tendanna is appointed, he is stripped of the clothes he is wearing and given all new articles. Skins are believed to please the gods, as it shows the peoples relationship to the earth as well as humans ability to assert power over its resources. They are worn during specific rituals such as the Talensi planting festival and are required to be worn during any sacrifice. Present day, cotton cloth is worn by a majority of the population, both male and female. Women wear blouses with long wrap skirts and their hair tied up in a scarf while men wear pants or shorts with a cotton smock. There are four types of smocks. The most popular type of smock is called danseka and can be found commonly in most markets but also be commissioned specially. The next is Bana'a which is worn as a signifier for success. Jampa represents high status and is worn by a lower tier chief. Kpartikoto is the highest and is only worn by the most important chief. Chiefs also wear what is called the red fez and it is a signifier of his status and role. Hunters and warriors wear a calabash helmet adorned with cowrie shells, animal hair, and feathers and is meant to show off their achievements. They are referred to as the nugo and nugo illa, and are a type of basketry cap one with a sheep hair plume, the other with bush cow horns. In the 19th century, the Frafra were a major hub for the production of jewelry. Bangles of ivory and bone were popular among women and were another indicator of status. The highest status bangles were cast brass and signified the wearers power to protect. Ivory bands are used during courtships as a token from a father to his daughter as an outward display of the success of his household as well as the availability of his daughter.