Names that Prick: Royal Praise Names in Dagbon, Northern Ghana

"Names that Prick ..." sets out to investigate the praise poetry genre of the Dagombas of northern Ghana. The art of drumming, performed by court figures known as drummers, is at the heart of Dagomba culture, and is central to this dissertation. How are the titles and accolades each chief goes by chosen? Why are they so proverbial in nature, and why do they taunt others? These questions, in addition to how we can channel panegyrics to positive uses, are the issues this dissertation intends to address. This, I presume will help foster a cross-fertilization of ideas between the oral artists, their patrons, and academics; and also engender economic activity for the artists.