Wa and the Wala: Islam and Polity in Northwestern Ghana »

The first full study of Wala history and society, which will be of interest to Africanists, Islamic studies specialists and historians of colonialism.

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Wilks (African studies, Northwestern U.) traces the history of Wala from its beginnings to the present, paying particular attention to the complex relations between the Muslim and non-Muslim elements in the population. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

List of illustrations; List of tables; Preface; List of abbreviations; Preamble;
1. Wa and the Wala;
2. Wala origins: Lasiri and Kubaru;
3. Wala origins: the 'alim as local historian';
4. Wa chronology: an exercise in date-guessing;
5. Tajdid and jihad: the Muslim community in change;
6. Colonial intrusions: Wala in disarray;
7. 'Direct rule': Wala in the early twentieth century;
8. Wala under 'indirect rule': power to the Na and schism in the umma;
9. Review: the peculiarities of Wala; Notes; Bibliography; Index.