Islamic Thought in Africa: The Collected Works of Afa Ajura (1910-2004) and the Impact of Ajuraism on Northern Ghana
Islamic Thought in Africa: The Collected Works of Afa Ajura (1910-2004) and the Impact of Ajuraism on Northern Ghana
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Abstract
This is the first English translation of and commentary on the collected poems of Alhaj Yusuf Salih Ajura (1910–2004), a northern Ghanaian orthodox Islamic scholar, poet, and polemicist known as Afa Ajura, or “scholar from Ejura.” The poems, all handwritten in Arabic script, mainly in the Ghanaian language of Dagbani and also Arabic, explore the author's socio-religious beliefs. In the accompanying introduction, the translator examines the diverse themes of the poems and how they challenge Tijaniyyah Sufi clerics and traditional practices such as idol worship. The introduction provides a background on the translation and commentary. It describes Ajuraism, which is Afa Ajura's reform-oriented educational approach based on the concept of orthodoxy. Orthopraxy, according to Sunnah, that rejected the status quo of traditional Dagomba practices and the syncretism and innovations of Tijaniyyah Sufism. Afa Ajura's collection of handwritten poems address multiple intellectual issues and diverse socio-religious topics.
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Front Matter
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Translator’s Introduction
Alhaj Yūsuf Ṣāliḥ Ajura
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Poem 1
Damba Digoli (Damba Month): Language: Dagbani Year: ca. 1952
Alhaj Yūsuf Ṣāliḥ Ajura
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Poem 2
Dunya BinshaƔkam Dināra (Everything in the World Shall Perish): Language: Dagbani Year: ca. 1953–55
Alhaj Yūsuf Ṣāliḥ Ajura
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Poem 3
Dolya Tidūma Nāwuni ŋun Namtiŋo (Our Lord God, the Sole Creator, You Must Obey): Language: Dagbani Year: ca. 1954?
Alhaj Yūsuf Ṣāliḥ Ajura
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Poem 4
Afa Zā ŋunpaƔ Nyu BuƔli (Any Person Who Allows His Wife to Drink the Potion for Exorcism): Language: Dagbani Year: 1955
Alhaj Yūsuf Ṣāliḥ Ajura
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Poem 5
Fa Khudhū (And You Must Take): Language: Arabic Year: 1960?
Alhaj Yūsuf Ṣāliḥ Ajura
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Poem 6
Kutilga (You Shall Not Be Saved)
Alhaj Yūsuf Ṣāliḥ Ajura
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Poem 7
Nsab Nsabliŋo (I Compose This Writing of Mine)
Alhaj Yūsuf Ṣāliḥ Ajura
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Poem 8
Dolya Tidūma Ka Doli Anabŋo (Follow Our Lord and This Prophet): Language: Dagbani Year: February 1965 / Shawwal 1384 H (Composed in Accra, Ghana)
Alhaj Yūsuf Ṣāliḥ Ajura
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Poem 9
Afa Nim Zāsa Nin Binya (All Clerics Have Not Seen: Against Wird): Language: Dagbani Year: 1960–64?
Alhaj Yūsuf Ṣāliḥ Ajura
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Poem 10
Bukari Mawla (A Eulogy): Language: Arabic Year: 1960–64?
Alhaj Yūsuf Ṣāliḥ Ajura
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Poem 11
Ninsal Kutonya Tidūma (A Human Being Cannot See Our Lord): Language: Dagbani Year: 1960–65
Alhaj Yūsuf Ṣāliḥ Ajura
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Poem 12
Ṣalli S. Ṣalātan (Send Blessings Upon): Language: Arabic Year: 1965?
Alhaj Yūsuf Ṣāliḥ Ajura
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Poem 13
TipaƔri Tidūma Nawuni (We Thank Our Lord): Language: Dagbani Year: 1964–66?
Alhaj Yūsuf Ṣāliḥ Ajura
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Poem 14
Ansarsi Māna (He Who Mocks): Language: Dagbani and Arabic Year: 1955–60?
Alhaj Yūsuf Ṣāliḥ Ajura
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Poem 15
Naḥnu Junūdu Ḥ abībinā (We Are the Army of Our Beloved): Language: Arabic Year: 1966–68
Alhaj Yūsuf Ṣāliḥ Ajura
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Poem 16
Afanim Tola Ayirmo (The Clerics Have Gone Wild): Language: Dagbani Year: 1968–69?
Alhaj Yūsuf Ṣāliḥ Ajura
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End Matter
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