Introduction to the Library Project

In northern Ghana, a small village named Larabanga is struggling with big problems. Fortunately, the people there are standing up to their troubles and working towards a solution.

The future of any community depends on its children, and the future Of the children depends on their education. In Larabanga, parents want to send their children to school but the expenses are high. In addition to the school fees, the family cannot always afford to lose the help of a child who has gone away to school.

Most of the people in Larabanga are farmers. The children in these families work as hard as their parents. When the children are attending school, they can no longer work on the farm. Without the child's help, the rest of the family may be literally unable to put food on the table.

If the children cannot be spared to go away for an education, then one alternative is to bring the education to the children. A big step In that direction was reached in 2001 when a newly-built library opened in Larabanga. For the students of Larabanga, it is the first step of many. Now they have begun a campaign to make the library a place where all children can learn while staying close to home.

A library is primarily a place to find and use books. The Larabanga Library is a fine building but it has not yet been well stocked. The students are looking for donations of all sorts of books, particularly those that will help them with their school studies. Primary school and middle school textbooks, or study guides, will be a big help.

A library can also be a community center. Young people in the village of Larabanga, whether or not they attend school, often have idle time with no constructive diversions. Boredom, combined with a desire to become engaged with the world, can drive children to urban centers, where the potential for trouble is great.

If the library served as a place for young people to meet and learn, it could save them from being drawn away from home to the big city. Young girls are particularly at risk. The only work for them in the city may be as a "kayayoo," the local term for a girl who carries market goods in a tray on her head. With no one to protect them, these girls are in danger of having unwanted pregnancies, or contracting HIV/AIDS and other sexual transmitted diseases.

Larabanga is a Islamic community with a long tradition of education. Parents understand the benefits of having a well-educated child. With the library as a community center, open to all members of the community, parents will be encouraged to support their children's efforts to learn.

In addition to academics, the library is a good place to teach the children religion and social values, supplementing the work of the mosque. Small children can come to the library to play games in a learning environment, preparing them for the day when they will have the opportunity to go to school.

The library can provide many services. The students of Larabanga are excited by the possibilities. Their enthusiasm will go further with the support of the larger community beyond their village. If you are able to help in any way, big or small, please send email to larabanga_library_project@yahoo.com or send a letter to:

The Larabanga Library Project
Post Office Box TL 239
Tamale, Northern Region
Ghana, West Africa

Thank you for your interest in this project. Even small deeds can have a big effect when the needs are great.

Photos from Larabanga

The Larabanga Mosque:

Schoolchildren:

Villagers:

Design Goals for the Main Library Project

• Create a new important civic building that builds upon the strong architectural heritage of larabanga, a building that reflects the diversity of the community, a library that is inviting and user friendly that will service the citizens of larabanga well into the future.


• Meet library space and parking needs.


• Provide flexibility to meet future unknown needs.


• Create an environment that is open, warm, inviting, and user-friendly.


• Create a variety of study and reading spaces to facilitate more effective use of the collections and resources of the Library.


• Train the youth of Larabanga and the surrounding communities to acquire the knowledge of information communication technology.


• Serve the tourist who would wish to under take research or projects on all legal matters within our reach by providing them with the necessary information.


• Minimize impact on the natural environment through the use of sustainable building materials and systems.

About the project location

Larabanga is a small village with a population of about 4000 people, situated in the heart of the Northern Region, precisely in the West Gonja district. Larabanga is located between the Mole National Park and Damongo. It is approximately 16 km (10 miles) north of Damongo and about 6 km (4 miles) south of the Mole National Park.


The Library site is in a traditional location within the Village.

Library Mission Statement

Larabanga community Library would provide superior library materials and services responsive to the evolving informational, educational, vocational, cultural and recreational needs of Larabanga community.

Mission Expectations

The Larabanga library will:

• Provide services that public libraries have traditionally offered, including books and audio-visual materials to borrow, reference services and materials, periodicals, and public programs.


• Provide progressive and innovative library services responsive to community needs.


• Provide up-to-date modes for accessing information to include instructions for effective use.


• Communicate the availability of services to the public.


• Provide service that is welcoming and personalized.


• Provide appropriate interior library environments, including quiet study spaces.


• Provide appropriate exterior library environments including easy physical access.


• Provide easy access to the collections of libraries located outside of Larabanga.


• Provide a community meeting place.


• Develop and maintain local, regional, state, and national relationships.


• Encourage individual intellectual development and support life long learning.


• Maintain fiscal responsibility.


• Periodically evaluate and report on the provision of service.

. Improve literacy, computer skills and exam results for young people in the community.
. Improve literacy for members of the community of all ages.
. Reduce poverty which is a result of dependence on peasant farming as source of income for the community.
. Improve young peoples’ chances of gaining employment when they leave education.
. Establish partnership arrangements with other communities and organizations outside Africa who may be able to help with development projects.

Rules of Behavior

The Board of trustees has prescribed these Rules of Behavior for the purpose of assuring "to exclude from the use of the library any person who willfully violates the rules prescribed by the board."

The general Rules of Behavior in the Library are as follows:

A. All conduct that may reasonably be expected to create a disturbance or otherwise interfere with the quiet and safe use and enjoyment of the Library by others (for example, but not limited to, loud or boisterous conversations, running, fighting, threatening or harassing behavior, use of video equipment including cell phone obstructing others' access to Library resources, etc.) is PROHIBITED.

B. Children under eight years of age may not be left unattended in the Library. They must be under the direct supervision of a parent, guardian, other adult or responsible older relative, when in the Library.

C. Personal distribution of leaflets, survey taking, collecting signatures on petitions, solicitations and similar activities on library property are PROHIBITED.

D. Library users may not leave personal belongings in the Library when they leave the building. The Library is not responsible for any loss of users' personal belongings, through theft or otherwise. Bulky items that take up excessive space are not permitted in Library facilities.

E. All conduct is PROHIBITED that may reasonably be expected to endanger the health and safety of Library users, cause or threaten to cause damage to Library materials or facilities (for example, moving furniture in a way which blocks aisles, using tables, chairs or heating units as footstools, defacing or vandalizing Library property or materials, etc.) The Library reserves the right to limit the number of persons who may sit together at a single table.

F. Eating and possession of unsealed packages and containers of food are not permitted in the Library advance. Beverages with a covered lid are permitted in the Library., water or soda bottles with a screw on top.

G. Weapons such as explosives, firearms, knives, look-alike weapons, or any other objects that can reasonably be considered as weapons, are not permitted on Library property or any Library-related events.

H. Sleeping is not permitted in the Library.

I. The Library reserves the right to inspect the contents of all bags, for library materials.

J. The Library reserves the right to impose time limits upon continuous use of Library equipment.

K. Depending upon the offense and the particular circumstances of the case, violators of the foregoing Rules may be barred from use of the Library, either temporarily or permanently.

L. In addition to barring persons, temporarily or permanently, from use of the Library for violations of the foregoing Rules, the Library may, in its sole discretion, bring criminal charges against any persons suspected of theft or vandalism of Library property or materials or of any violations on Library property of federal, state or local laws and ordinances.

Board of Trustees

Individual contact information:

President:

Ibrahim Abdul Ganiyu
P. O. Box 531 E/R
Tamale, Northern Region
Ghana, West Africa
Tel; +233 244845048
E-Mail: ibnganiyu@yahoo.co.uk

Vice President

Sadick Mashud,
P. O. BOX TL 531 E/R
Tamale, Northern Region.
Ghana, West Africa.
Tel;+ 233 246827715.
E-mail:abiola360@hotmail.com

Secretary

Karim Soaliu Norgy
P O BOX TL 239
Tamale, Northern Region
Ghana West Africa
Tel: +233 246537482
E-mail;norgy23@gmail.com

Finance Officer

Iddrisu Toufic,
P .O . BOX DM 62
Damongo.Northern Region.
Ghana, West Africa.
Tel; + 233 275544473.
E-mail:iddrisu_toufic@yahoo.com

General Objectives

To promote and improve health status in the village.

To improve socio-economic and cultural conditions in the village.

To improve the educational level in the village.

To promote developmental initiatives, creativity, self-reliance and responsibility for one's own condition through active participation of all beneficiary villagers.

To develop problem solving skills, research abilities and knowledge.

The Story of Larabanga

The story of Larabanga has been passed down orally from generation to generation. Only the high chief of the village knows the complete story, but everyone in Larabanga could tell you the basics of Larabanga's foundation. The exact date of the founding of Larabanga is therefore unknown. Some of the villagers would say during the eleventh century, others would say during the thirteenth or fourteenth century. What is agreed upon is that Larabanga was founded by the Yidan Braimah, a Kamara man who was originally from Madina in what is today Saudi Arabia. Today his name has been colloquialized into Ibrahim and many children in Larabanga are named Ibrahim in honor of the founder.

The arrival of the first Kamaras to Ghana

The leader of the Gonjas, Ndewura Jakpa, called the first Kamaras to Ghana because he was attempting to conquer the vast lands but was facing great difficulties. Ibrahim and another Kamara, by the name of Fatawu Murkpe, were called to spiritually assist Ndewura Jakpa in his fight. Specifically, Ndewura Hakpa was having trouble conquering Kango, an ancient town in what is present day Cote de Ivoire, and so Ibrahim and Fatawu Murkpe wrote some charms which allowed the Gonjas to conquer Kango. This made the Gonjas so happy with the Kamaras that they were given a special place in Gonja administration. Today, Kamaras continue to play a special religious role in Gonja administration where they are often called to assist the Gonjas as administrators of Islamic law, prayer leaders and conflict mediators. Furthermore, even today, when the Gonjas greet the Kamara people they add "Kongote" to their greeting which means 'Kango is finished,' to refer to the Kamara's role in the conquest of Kango.

The settling of Larabanga

Ndewura Jakpa met his death by a spear in a battle after he crossed the White Volta river against the advice of Ibrahim, which is why still today the Gonja lands end at the White Volta river. As Ndewura Jakpa was dying he told Ibrahim, who was too old to travel back to his home in Saudi Arabia, that he could settle anywhere on the conquered lands. Ibrahim was at Mystic Stone offering some prayers when he took a spear and threw it high into the sky, declaring that wherever it should land would become his home. The spear landed on the high fertile ground at "Zuriyir," a place that had been settled by the Dhen Zuo people and later abandoned by previous invaders from the north. "Yirikpani" or "the landing of the spear," is the name still used within Larabanga to describe the section of its community living around the mosque. Ibrahim then took a wife from the Mamprusi region just north of Mole National Park and their descendants became the people who make up the community of Larabanga today.

The Famous Larabanga Mosque

The Larabanga mosque is one of the oldest mosques in West Africa and is the oldest mosque in Ghana. Each year the Larabanga mosque must be renovated due to damage to the mud walls during heavy rains. These yearly renovations can cost up to $1,000 and although the government of Ghana provides monetary assistance to keep up the mosque, this is not always enough money to do the job well.


The Larabanga library project led by Sadick Mashud and Karim Soaliu is writing a proposal to receive funding to be used towards the renovation of the mosque. The Larabanga mosque was declared a World Heritage site in 2001.

After Ndewura Jakpa died, and Ibrahim decided to remain in the Gonja kingdom, he realized that as an Islamic spiritual leader, or Imam, he needed a Koran. At this time there were only seven korans in existence, all of them written by hand and bound into no less than sixty Hinzibs each and kept wrapped bulkily in many blankets and stored in large calabash bowls far away in Mecca. Ibrahim decided to consult an old Dhen Zuo man who was a remaining resident of Zuriyir and he learned of the Mystic stone which was already known as a holy spot to the residents of Zuriyir. Ibrahim went to the Mystic Stone and prayed hard for a Koran to be brought to Larabanga and it is said that his prayers were rewarded when one of the original seven Koran from Mecca was delivered to him from the heavens. This Koran is preserved in the village today by a caretaker and it is brought out for special prayers each year during the Fire Festival when the new Muslim calendar year is celebrated. Many people converge at Larabanga from far and wide to attend these readings outside the ancient mosque.

Introduction to the History & Culture of Larabanga

Larabanga is a wholly Muslim rural community located in the heart of the West Gonja district of what is today the Northern Region of Ghana. Although the Kamara people of Larabanga are not actually Gonjas, a unique relationship exists between the two and the village maintains a traditional function of providing spiritual protection and guidance for the whole Gonja region. This tradition is born from the story of its very beginnings with the Gonja conquest of the area in what is believed to be the eleventh century.



In many ways, Larabanga and its traditions and customs continues to reveal this story, which like most of the deepest history of Africa, has been preserved orally over the centuries, told by one generation to the next.

The Sudanese architectural style of the famous ancient mosque located in this home of Arabs speaks visually of origins far away. It is the oldest in Ghana and one of the oldest in West Africa and is now recognized officially as a World Heritage Site. The village is also home to one of the oldest Koran in the world, believed to have been brought miraculously to the village through the prayers of its founder Yidan Braimah, at the site of the "Mystic Stone" that rests just outside of the village on the ancient Trans-Sahara trade route which runs through the village and connects it, like an umbilical cord, with its roots amongst the Arabs.

A community based eco-tourism project was initiated here by the community in 1992. Its aims are to make visitors welcome, raise awareness about local customs and ways of life, as well as to provide some revenue to support the communities economic and social development.

The Mystic Stone

Today, the Mystic Stone marks the place where Ibrahim prayed for and received the Koran and as we saw earlier, before Ibrahim the place of the Mystic Stone was also known to the Dhen Zuo as a holy place. It was known to the Dhen Zuo as "Zybgeni" or base of the mountain. It served as a shady resting place for those traveling the ancient trans-Sahara trade route and holds great significance for many reasons.

After Larabanga and the rest of the Gonja lands had been settled a fierce warrior named Samuri Turi came to conquer the Gonja lands. The terrible Samuri Turi was sweeping across West Africa from what is now Guinea. His assaults were believed to be unstoppable and even the trees would conspire with him in battle. However, his horses were inexplicably unable to pass along the trade route at the Mystic Stone. It is said that the horses sank into the ground and that Samuri was forced to heed an old warning that had been given to him by his grandfather. He had been told that his conquests would be many and great, but that he would one day come upon a place he should not venture to conquer. And so Samuri Turi decided to send a message of peace to the elders of Larabanga. In this way Samuri Turi was telling the elders that he would not try to conquer Larabanga. The elders gathered to discuss the matter just as they do in times of crisis or dispute today. They decided that the terrible warrior's peace should be accepted and his horses led around the Mystic Stone.

The village of Larabanga sacrificied cattle and prepared food as a welcome for the fierce warrior, but the elders also prepared a hat with magic powers that was worn by one of the elders to the meal. If Samuri Turi demanded the hat for himself and put it on his head the magical powers of the hat would weaken the warrior and he would surely fail to conquer the Gonja lands. Samuri Turi indeed did demand the hat and put it on his head. Accordingly, he was killed shortly afterwards in battle near Busunu. In this way, Larabanga continued to fulfill its function as spiritual protector to the Gonjas and the Mystic Stone also demonstrated itself to be a charmed place which war cannot touch.

More recently, the Mystic Stone showed its charmed ways again during the building of the Tamale-Wa road in the 1950's. The planned route of the road was to pass right through the Mystic Stone. Yet, everytime the path was cleared by bulldozers to commence the building of the road, the following morning the rock would be found back in its spot blocking the roadway. This happened again and again until the road was eventually built around the Stone. Today, the Mystic Stone remains in the same spot with its elevated status in reminder of the mystical protection enjoyed by the village. To this day, there are no horses in Larabanga and it is said that no one with warlike intentions can pass through the village.