Dietary Choices, Food Patterns, Combinations, and Prohibitions among the Banda People of Ghana
Background of the Banda People
The Banda people, also known as the Nafana, inhabit the northwestern part of the Bono Region of Ghana, particularly in a district called Banda Ahenkro. Historically, the Banda region served as a refuge for various ethnic groups during the transatlantic slave trade, leading to a diverse cultural composition. The name “Banda” is derived from “Woanda,” which means “they did not sleep,” referencing the historical role of the Banda people in warfare and Islamic prayers conducted overnight (Stahl, 1994; Russell, 1931). Oral tradition has it that, the Ancestors of Banda were allies of the Asante kingdom and they provided a military force that refused to sleep during war times. This is because they were largely Muslims and were found praying throughout the night.
Geographically, the Banda District lies within latitudes 7° and 8°45′ North and longitudes 2°52′ and 0°28′ West, covering a total land area of 2,298.3 square kilometers. The district borders the Bole District (Northern Region) to the north, Tain District to the south, Côte d’Ivoire to the west, and Kintampo South to the east. The district capital, Banda Ahenkro, is located 126 kilometres from Sunyani, the regional capital (Ghana Statistical Service, 2010).
Figure 1: District map of Banda
Source: Ghana Statistical Service (GSS), 2010
The region is enriched by natural water bodies such as the Tain, Tombe, Chin, Sidoo, Lepla, Kuhuli, Jinde, Yooloo, Fini, Seeloo, Gojongo and the Black Volta River, providing fishing opportunities and enabling subsistence agriculture. The Black Volta River is the site of the Bui Dam, Ghana’s second-largest hydroelectric dam (400 MW), located at the Bui Gorge
The staple crops include yam, maize, plantain, cassava, and cocoyam. Common vegetables are tomatoes, okra, garden eggs, and pepper. Cash crops such as cashew and shea nut are also cultivated. Traditional methods of farming and fishing are still predominant, reflecting a deep connection between the environment and food production.
Economic activities and agriculture
The District is entirely rural and most of its households (78.6%) engage in agricultural activities (Ghana Statistical Service, 2010). The major food crops grown are yam, maize, plantain, cocoyam and cassava. Major vegetables grown are tomatoes, garden eggs, okro and pepper. Cash crops grown are cashew and shea nut. Banda District is rich with rivers and dams which can be used to carry out fishing activities for consumption and surplus for commercial purposes. These rivers include the Black Volta and the Bui Dam. Also, bee-keeping in Banda District is an economic activity practiced by the community.
Social and Cultural Elements of Food Practices
Food Combinations, Meal Patterns, and Eating Arrangements
For the people of Banda food is cultural. The people of Banda have different food habits, dietary preferences and food combinations. Like most people, the food Nafanas eat is formed from the combination of different food groups and food sources. For example, starchy food like rice is combined with stew made from vegetables, and seafoods. Also, meat from land animals may be found in their meals at the same time. However, the culture of the people has fashioned food habits involving many food combinations which will give same nutritional results.
The Banda people follow a structured meal pattern that includes breakfast, lunch, and supper. Breakfast is commonly light and may consist of sorghum or maize porridge served with koose (bean balls) or buff loaf (a type of fried dough). Lunch and supper are more substantial and often feature combinations of starchy bases such as fufu, ampesi (boiled yam or plantain), or tizet (a blend of cassava and maize) with vegetable-based stews or soups such as kontomire (cocoyam leaves) stew or okra soup. Beverages include pito, and akpeteshie
Meals are communal, emphasizing family bonds and social structure. It is common for people to eat from the same bowl, symbolizing unity and acceptance within the group. Foods are often combined for nutritional balance and taste preferences; carbohydrates are typically paired with protein-rich soups or stews made from fish, meat, legumes, or leafy vegetables.
Social, Cultural, and Religious Uses of Food
Banda Yam Festival, Fordjour
Food serves as more than sustenance among the Banda. It is central to social and religious life. The Fordjour Yam Festival, celebrated annually in October, exemplifies the ceremonial role of food. During this festival, yam which is the community’s staple food is harvested and distributed among relatives, friends, and neighbors.
Bebina sro
An interesting practice during Fordjour festival is called Bebina. A night before to the occasion young guys present tubers of yam to their suggested girlfriends. If the yams are accepted, then, it means that she also likes you and will accept your proposal. The accepted yams will be used by the girl to prepare a delicious meal called Bebina-sro (Bebina-food) and bring it to the boy later and vice versa.
These lucky young girls go out to prepare the Bebina food. Because of this the young girls prepare themselves before the Fordjour festival. They mound clay-tripots under mango trees and with other necessities such as money, firewood, Agushi or groundnut for soup.
Alcoholic beverages such as pito (sorghum beer) and akpeteshie (a palm wine distillate) also feature prominently in social functions, including weddings, funerals, and naming ceremonies.
Unusual Foods Consumed
The Banda diet includes some less conventional protein sources such as alligator meat and termites. These are considered delicacies or are consumed seasonally. Termites, for instance, are collected during swarming seasons and either roasted or used in sauces. These dietary inclusions reflect adaptability and the utilization of locally available resources.
Food Prohibitions and Prescriptions
Food taboos are deeply intertwined with spiritual beliefs. The Tano Akora deity is central to Banda cosmology, and certain animals associated with this deity are considered sacred. Baboons, crocodiles, and specific fish species from the Tano River are not to be hunted or consumed, as they are seen as spiritual protectors or children of the deity. The appearance of a crocodile on land, for instance, is interpreted as a bad omen.
Nutritional Implications
The Banda diet is heavily carbohydrate-based, with yams, maize, and cassava being staples. While this supports high-energy needs for agricultural labor, it may contribute to nutrient deficiencies, especially in proteins and micronutrients, if not complemented with adequate vegetables and legumes. Increasing rates of Non-Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (NIDDM) in populations undergoing rapid dietary transitions suggest potential health risks associated with excessive refined carbohydrate intake (The People of Banda, n.d.).
However, traditional diets that incorporate non-starch polysaccharides and low-glycemic foods, such as leafy vegetables and legumes, offer protective effects against lifestyle diseases. The socio-cultural emphasis on sharing and community eating promotes food security and emotional wellbeing but may need to be complemented with public health interventions to improve dietary diversity and nutrition education.
Common Recipes from the Banda Community
Snack Recipe: Bankye Kakro (Agbeli Kaklo)
Ingredients:
- Fresh cassava tubers (peeled and grated)
- Salt to taste
- Blended onions
- Vegetable oil for frying
Preparation:
- Peel and grate cassava.
- Squeeze out the starch and moisture.
- Mix grated cassava with salt and blended onions.
- Shape into small balls.
- Deep-fry until golden brown and crispy.
- Serve with hard coconut for a crunchy snack (Edinam, 2020).
Meal Recipe: Bayere Ampesie with Kontomire Stew
Ingredients for Ampesie:
- Yam (chopped)
- Unripe plantain (optional)
- Salt
Ingredients for Kontomire Stew:
- Cocoyam leaves (kontomire)
- Palm oil
- Salted fish (Koobi)
- Smoked fish
- Fresh tomatoes, onions, pepper, turkey berries
- Eggs (optional)
Preparation:
- Boil yams and plantains in salted water until soft.
- Boil and grind cocoyam leaves.
- Blend tomatoes, onions, pepper, and turkey berries.
- Heat palm oil and fry salted fish.
- Add blended mixture to oil and cook for 5 minutes.
- Add kontomire, smoked fish, seasoning, and let simmer until thick (Agartha, 2022).
Conclusion
The dietary practices of the Banda people reveal a profound relationship between food, culture, and health. From ritual uses to communal feasting and symbolic meanings, food is a central pillar of Banda identity. While the traditional diet supports energetic activities, it must adapt to include more diverse nutrients to reduce the risk of chronic diseases. Integrating nutrition education with cultural preservation can help the Banda people maintain healthful and sustainable diets.
References
- Agartha. (2022). Ghana Kontomire Stew (Palava Sauce). Retrieved from Agameals.com
- Edinam. (2020). Agbeli Kaklo. Retrieved from Ginger and Seasalt
- Stahl, A. (1994). Change and Continuity in the Banda Area, Ghana: The Direct Historical Approach. Journal of Field Archaeology, 181–203. JSTOR
- Russell, A.C. (1931). Banda-Report on Tour of Inspection.
- The People of Banda Have Different Food Habits. (n.d.).
- Banda EBEN.pptx. (n.d.).
