Gurma


Gurma

 

(self-appellation, Binumba), or Gourmantche, a people of northern Togo, northeastern Ghana, and the eastern regions of the Upper Volta. A small number of Gurma live also in the border regions of Nigeria and Dahomey. According to a 1967 estimate, the Gurma together with the related tribes the Konkomba (self-appellation, Kpunkpamba), the Moba, the Tobote (also called Bassari), and the Kaselem number 220,000 in Togo, 280,000 in Ghana, and 220,000 in the Upper Volta. The Gurma language belongs to the Gur linguistic group. The Gurma have preserved local traditional beliefs, although some practice Islam. Farming is the chief occupation (millet, rice, sorghum), but cattle are also raised.