According to legend, Daboya was once known as Burugu, which simply means “well” in the Dagomba language, because the area had plenty and clean water sources from which the people could drink.
Famous Gonja monarch and warrior, Ndewura Jakpa, conquered the area reaching all the way to the western side of the White Volta River, and placed the entire area under the control of her daughter, who became known as Buruwuche, meaning Chief of Burugu.
According to legend, Buruwuche performed a favor for a leper who came to town, and the leprosy gave her some instructions to follow that would make her land exceedingly prosperous. Buruwuche followed these recommendations, and the area’s rivers and plains became rich in salt minerals as a result.
Burugu got increasingly affluent over time as a result of its salt mining activities, prompting raids by surrounding Dagomba villages seeking to take over Burugu and its salt mining enterprise.
Buruwuche returned to her father for assistance in fighting off the Dagombas, fearful that her people would be vanquished and brought into slavery. It is said that she carried some of the salt with her to offer to his father and siblings, and that her siblings exclaimed in Gonja, “Nda peye bo anyie yes,” which means “Our elder sister’s land has the best salt.” This Gonja shout is what gave rise to Daboya as we know it today.
What is the history of daboya?
In the 1700s and 1800s, Daboya supplied almost half of Ghana’s salt usage, with the salt mining business employing the majority of the town’s women and men, making it one of Ghana’s most energetic and commercially vibrant cities.
The town is no longer known as the salt capital of Ghana. Salt is still mined and produced in the old town, but in considerably smaller quantities than centuries ago, and the salt produced currently is solely for local consumption and market.
In the latter half of the twenty-first century, the demand for iodized and refined salt contributed to the decline of the Daboya salt market. Due to shifting consumer preferences, granulated and refined salt from Europe was introduced, thus killing the Daboya salt business, which provided unrefined salt in its natural state.
Ghana Travel Restrictions
Ghana is open to most travelers again. I mean travelers from all over the world. However, you do need proof of your COVID-19 vaccination(s) or a negative test result before being allowed entry.
Many hotels, attractions, and private tours are open with new health & safety protocols in place, and you still have to follow certain guidelines. They are all good for our safety.
Read the ultimate travel guide to Ghana to help you plan your trip.