From the Tamale to Chicago: The Story and Presence of the Ghana Northern Union in the Diaspora

​​Origins and Cultural Ties of Northern Ghana

Northern Ghana is home to a rich diversity of ethnic groups, including the Dagomba, Mamprusi, Nanumba, Gonja, Frafra, Kusasi, Bimoba, Konkomba, Dagaaba, and others. These groups span across the Northern, Upper East, and Upper West Regions and share deep-rooted traditions in chieftaincy, oral history, agriculture, music, and communal living. Though distinct in language and custom, the people of Northern Ghana are united by strong cultural values such as respect for elders, kinship bonds, ancestral reverence, and spiritual belief systems—as well as vibrant festivals like Damba, Bugum (Fire Festival), Kobine, Ndaakoya, and Gologo.

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Formation and Role of the Ghana Northern Union in Chicago

As migration from Ghana to the U.S. increased in the late 20th century, many Northerners settled in cities like Chicago, seeking education, economic opportunity, and family reunification. With shared regional identity and similar cultural values, Northerners from various ethnic backgrounds in the diaspora came together to form the Ghana Northern Union (GNU) of Chicago.

The Union was founded to:

• Unite Northerners from diverse ethnic groups under a shared umbrella

• Provide mutual support in times of celebration or bereavement

• Promote the traditions, languages, and values of Northern Ghana

• Serve as a platform for cultural education and intergenerational connection

Through organized events, the Union fosters solidarity among its members while helping preserve the dignity and pride of Northern Ghanaian heritage in the diaspora.

Community and Cultural Engagement in Chicago

The Ghana Northern Union hosts a variety of community-centered programs, including:

• Naming ceremonies, funerals, and traditional rites

• Northern Ghana cultural days and durbars

• Inter-generational mentorship and youth cultural education

• Charitable outreach, both locally and in Ghana

These efforts help keep the cultural fabric of Northern Ghana alive in Chicago, offering younger generations access to their identity and elders a sense of continued relevance and dignity.

Northern Ghana’s Contribution to the Ghana National Council (GNC)

As an active member organization of the Ghana National Council of Metropolitan Chicago, the Ghana Northern Union plays a central role in city-wide Ghanaian activities, especially at annual events such as Ghanafest.

At Ghanafest, the Ghana Northern Union is known for:

• Colorful displays of traditional regalia, including smocks (batakari/fugu), head wraps, and leather amulets

• Chief and subchief processions with royal drumming and praise-singing

• Displays of indigenous instruments like the gonje and lunga (talking drum)

• Traditional dances and food offerings that represent the northern savannah and its people

Through these contributions, the Ghana Northern Union adds depth and vibrancy to the ceremonial and cultural identity of the Ghanaian diaspora.

Legacy and Identity in the Diaspora

In Chicago and beyond, members of the Ghana Northern Union carry with them a heritage shaped by storytelling, music, oral tradition, and resilience. Whether Dagomba, Frafra, Gonja, or Mamprusi, they share a pride in being custodians of a legacy that connects the savannah plains of Ghana with the urban neighborhoods of the U.S. Today, elders serve as cultural gatekeepers, while youth engage through digital storytelling, education, and leadership. The Ghana Northern Union remains a stronghold for identity, cultural continuity, and unity in diversity.

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“From Tamale to Chicago, from Bolgatanga to Bronzeville—the story continues.”

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