In Dagbon, Why You must not greet An Elderly First?

Respect and Greetings in Dagbon

G(caps)reetings are a truly crucial and valuable asset that the Dagbamba people hold in the highest esteem. However, many outside the culture and perhaps even some within it don't realize the depth of the tradition. Do you know that, in Dagbon, a child is generally not supposed to greet an elderly person first?

Follow me as we unravel the true culture of the Dagbamba.

Ai image of Greetings in Dagbon Culture

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The Elder Greets the Young One: The Protocol of "N-naa"

In Dagbon, the ancient custom dictates that an elder is supposed to greet the young one, and not the other way around. The reason lies in the response.

If a person greets first, the other person responds "N-naa" to any greeting. The meaning of "N-naa" is equivalent to "My King," "My Chief," or "My Leader." Think about it: how, in a normal situation among non-royals or commoners, would an elderly person call you their "King" or "Leader" if you aren't one?

The correct way, as it was done in the ancient or old Dagbon culture, is for the child or young person to squat, placing one hand on the other, and remain mute until the elder initiates the greeting. Only then does the young one respond "N-naa," implying "My King" or "My Leader." Sounds unbelievable, right?

If you doubt this, consider a visit to the Gbewaa's Palace: Do you greet the King, or does the King greet you? This hierarchical respect is mirrored in the elder-younger dynamic.

Exceptions to the Rule

In Dagbon, there are specific situations where a young person may greet first, and it does not break the law or norm:

 To Draw Attention: If you want to draw the attention of an elderly person, you can greet first. However, in this instance, the elder must not say "N-naa" in response. Instead, he or she must return a greeting first, and then the young one will respond with "N-naa."

 Standing Up After Greeting: Even after being greeted by an elder while squatting and responding "N-naa," the younger person should not immediately stand. The elder has to tell you "Gaafara" or "Yiɣisima" (meaning you can rise) before you can stand.

Explaining Dagbani Greetings

Let's look at how we greet in Dagbani, and the surprising origins of some common phrases:

Morning Greetings

In the morning, Dagbamba commonly greet with "Dasiba," which simply means "Good Morning." However, the word for morning in Dagbani is actually "Asiba." The root of this popular greeting comes from the Arabic word "As-subaha" or the related "As-Subhi," meaning dawn or morning. Therefore, the "Dasiba" greeting is not originally Dagbani, but a loaned and modified version of the Arabic word.

The original Dagbani greeting for good morning would have been "Ni ti Maasim," which implies "By our Coldness," expressing the cool and serenity of the morning. The original name of morning in Dagbani is "Bie Kaali."

Please, can you greet an elderly person "Ni ti Maasim"? This highlights the proof that greetings are initiated by Elders in Dagbon.

Afternoon Greetings

In the afternoon or midday, Dagbamba greet with "Antiré," though the word for afternoon is "Wuntaŋni," and the sun is "wuntaŋa." While the root or origins of "Antiré" are less known, there is another greeting for the afternoon in Dagbani: "Niti Wuntaŋa," which implies "By Our Sun," expressing the warmness of the afternoon or the sun.

Evening/Night Greetings

In the evening or night, Dagbamba greet with "Aniwula." The word for evening is "Zaawuni," and the word for night is "Yuŋ." I don't know what "Aniwula" means or the reason behind that greeting; it is just used in the evening or night as a form of greeting in Dagbon. (If you have an idea about "Aniwula," please share it with us!)

Situational Greetings (No Age Restriction)

For certain situations, the greeting is initiated by those at home or present and generally has no age restriction. When someone returns from a journey, be it young or old, those at home welcome him/her by saying:

   "Ni a Gorim" (By your journey)

   "Ni a Paabu na" (By your returns)

A person returning from the farm or a person at the farm is greeted by others by saying:

   "Ni a Puu" (for one person) or "Ni yi Puu" (for many people)

   The farmer(s) responds: "N-naa."

Another situation is someone returning from the market, who is welcomed with "Ni a Adaa." For those returning from work, the greeting is "Ni a tumi ni."

Sending good tidings or congratulatory wishes is done by saying "Ni ti zuɣu'suŋ," which implies "And by Our luck."

Greetings for Workers

When young people are involved in work and an elderly person is passing by, he or she may greet them with "Ni yi Tuma" (and by your work). But note one more time, a young person must not or should never try that. The best thing you can do is to come and squat, wait until you have been greeted, and then you respond "N-naa."

Most of the Dagbon greetings are responded  with "N-naa."

Also Read: Dagbon Days of the week

Question for the comments: Have you ever greeted an elderly person/people "Ni a Tuma" or "Ni yi Tuma," and what was their response? Share your experience! 👇