Studies on Chuchuru, a Socio-Cultural Practice and its Effects on Social Development in Navrongo Traditional Area in the Upper East Region
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Date
2017-11
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KNUST
Abstract
The chuchuru phenomenon is a cultural practice of the Kasena-Nankana people in the
Navrongo traditional area of the Upper East Region. It is a practice where children born
with congenital abnormalities are declared to be chuchuru and this leads to their
execution since they are seen to be carriers of evil and misfortunes to their families and
the community at large. An investigation by Anas Arimeyaw Anas led to the arrest of
some of the concoction men, yet, very little has been done to expose the negative effects
of the practice and to put an end to it.
The research methods used are qualitative approach and descriptive method. The research
techniques employed are interviews, focus group discussion and observation; pictures
were taken regarding the chuchuru practice. The scope of the study has been limited to
seven communities in the Navrongo traditional area such as Namolo, Vunania, Biu,
Kologo, Wuru, Pugu, and Naga.
The study also revealed the barbaric and cruel cultural practice which the accused
children passed through. The interviewees were of the view that something needs to be
done to abolish the practice among the people of the area to save the lives of the innocent
children killed all the time. The community stands to benefit from this study due to the
recommendations made to Community Based Organization, the Government Agencies
such as the CHRAJ and the National Commission for Civic Education to extend their
programs to cover the community so as to bring cultural sanity to the inhabitants.
Description
A Thesis submitted to the Department of Educational Innovations in Science and Technology of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF PHILOSOPHY IN AFRICAN ART AND CULTURE