The reign of Tolon Na Yiri Kpema is marked by one of the most challenging conflicts in the history of Dagbon: the Battle of Zabarma. This battle recounted in the traditions of Dagbon and through the memories of drum historians, highlights the pivotal defensive role of Tolon Na Yiri Kpema and his family during the reign of Na Aburu. As Dagbon’s Defense Chief, Tolon Na Yiri Kpema, alongside his sons, played a crucial part in protecting the kingdom during this six-year conflict with the Zabarma forces.
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Ya Na Aburu’s Call to Arms
During the reign of Na Aburu, the Dagbon state faced a significant threat from the Zabarma, a powerful group known for their slave raiding and expansionist tendencies. However, Na Aburu, due to his advanced age, could not personally lead his forces into battle. Instead, he entrusted his brother, Andani Girilong, the Chief of Savelugu, to lead the Dagbon army in his place.
Recognizing the gravity of the situation, Na Aburu sent for the most powerful chiefs in Dagbon to bolster the army’s strength. One of the key figures summoned was Tolon Na Yiri Kpema, the defense chief of Dagbon. However, due to his own age, Tolon Na Yiri Kpema considered stepping back from the fight. Sensing this, his first son, Suleman Kpema, requested permission from his father to lead the family into battle, a request that was granted. Together with his brother, Tali Na Mahami , Suleman Kpema prepared to march alongside the army to the Zabarma land.
The Zabarma Campaign and the Six-Year War
The Battle of Zabarma, as recounted by the Dagomba praise drummers, was a grueling conflict that lasted six long years. The Dagbon army, led by Na Andani Girilong, with powerful chiefs such as Tolon Na Suleman Kpema and Tali Na Mahami by his side, ventured deep into Zabarma territory. Their mission was not only to defend Dagbon but also to rescue the Frafra tribe from the clutches of the Zabarma slave raiders. Na Andani’s personal connection to the Frafra people—he was married to a Frafra woman—compelled him to act swiftly and decisively when called upon by his in-laws.
As the Dagbon warriors advanced into Zabarma land, they encountered fierce resistance, but the might of the Dagbon army, led by Suleman Kpema, was undeniable. Thousands of Zabarma warriors fell as Dagbon’s forces pushed deeper into enemy territory. The battle was intense, with countless lives lost on both sides. Oral history tells us that the Zabarma had established slave camps in Chiana, a village in the Upper East Region of present-day Ghana, which added to the urgency of the Dagbon army’s mission.
The Battle’s Turning Point and the Rescue of Na Andani
After years of fighting, the Zabarma devised a new strategy to turn the tide of the battle. Knowing that the Dagbon warriors were too powerful to face head-on, they chose to attack from behind, aiming directly for Na Andani Girilong. The battle intensified, and in the chaos, Na Andani became separated from his main forces. It was the quick thinking of a talking drummer who alerted the front warriors to the danger their leader was facing.
Suleman Kpema, hearing the call, immediately urged his fellow warriors to come to Na Andani’s aid. However, the front-line warriors, adhering to their principles of only advancing forward in battle, declined to turn back, stating, “We know how to fight forward, not backward.” Realizing the dire situation, Suleman Kpema and his brother, Tali Na Mahami , rushed back to rescue Na Andani themselves.
Tragedy and Heroism: The Death of Tali Na Mahami
Upon reaching the scene of the ambush, Suleman Kpema and Tali Na Mahami fought valiantly to protect Na Andani from the onslaught. As the battle raged on, Tali Na Mahami suffered a tragic fall from his horse, leaving him vulnerable. Despite his cries for help, the focus remained on defending Na Andani, and Mahami was ultimately overwhelmed and killed by the Zabarma forces.
Meanwhile, Suleman Kpema sustained a severe injury, losing an eye to a spear while attempting to assist Na Andani. Despite his injury, Suleman Kpema continued to fight and successfully protected Na Andani until the enemies were finally driven back. The loss of Tali Na Mahami and the injury to Suleman Kpema marked a bittersweet victory for Dagbon, as the Zabarma threat was neutralized, but at great personal cost to the Tolon Na’s family.
The Aftermath and Legacy of Tolon Na Yiri Kpema
The Battle of Zabarma concluded with a truce between Dagbon and the Zabarma, under the condition that neither side would engage in future conflicts. Furthermore, the Zabarma were forbidden from capturing slaves in the Gbewaa states. This truce, however, would be broken years later, leading to another tragic conflict when Savelugu Na Mahami Akonsi, the son of Na Aburu, attacked the Zabarma and was killed in battle.
The legacy of Tolon Na Yiri Kpema is remembered through the sacrifice of his sons, Suleman Kpema and Tali Na Mahami , who gave their lives and shed their blood to defend Dagbon and the Ya-Na. The courage and loyalty shown by the Tolon Na and his family during the Battle of Zabarma remain a vital part of Dagbon’s history. Their story is still recounted by Dagbon praise drummers, keeping alive the memory of those who fought bravely to protect their land and people.
