The AFA of Dagbon

This work looks at the influence the Afa in Dagbon, the nature of this influence and how it affects peoples' attitude to life. Specifically, it tries to fathom what makes people seek the assistance of the Afa; whether it is nativity on their part or love for spiritual things or the presence of some compelling needs and anxieties confronting them. Of interest to the examination is an assessment of the trend of the Afa's patronage: whether it is rising or falling and reasons that could account for either trend. A related area of focus is the relationship between the Afa and the traditional Dagbon kpemah (elder) in the areas of training and practice, as well as other cross-cultural influences between the two and whether the Afa's practices have any basis in Islam, i.e. whether such practices are permitted by the Quran and the Sunnah.