The Pasaale people live in the dry savannah and rolling hills of the upper west region of Ghana, in the Funsi-Kundugu division area. They are of the Sissala- Grunshie tribe in the Wa district. Nearly all 18 of the Pasaale villages are built on flat hill tops, so the actual villages are on level ground. The Pasaale are subsistence farmers. It is a standard practice to have more than one wife. About 50% of the men are polygamous. There is a public school system with 11 primary schools and 6 Junior secondary schools in the area. The village of Funsi has a Catholic primary school and a junior secondary school. Though 50% of children begin school, only 10-20% complete junior secondary school.
The adult literacy rate is less than 2%. About 80% of the Pasaale people believe in traditional religion. Islam accounts for about 10% while the rest are Christians. The Catholic Church pioneered missions in the Pasaale area. In the Pasaale culture, marriage is seen as a permanent life union between husband and wife. Having one wife is a sign of laziness because to the Pasaale man, many wives represent greatness and are a source of pride. The purpose of marriage to the Pasaale people is to get children and to provide a labor force for the husband. Divorce is not legally accepted when a marriage is contracted unless gross contempt is shown for the girl's family or vise versa. Should a woman be willfully divorced by her husband, all girls from the village will be called home in protest.
In Pasaale culture, women have no religion and their salvation depends on how well they obey their husbands. Intimate discussions with a wife are frowned upon by the community. For instance, eating together with one's wife is a good reason for being left out during important meetings, because they fear that one will disclose family secrets to one's wife.
Scripture Prayers for the Sisaala, Pasaale in Ghana.
| Profile Source: Anonymous |
