GA OF YORUBA DESCENT (PART 1)

Summary

In this episode of 'Heritage on Air' on 97.3 City FM and City TV, host Appyoco discusses the cosmopolitan nature of the Ghanaian people and their history of welcoming outsiders. The spotlight is on Chief Ortuba Alaji Mohammed Bhuniya, also known as Billy Brima, the Yoruba Chief of To Do and Tuba of the Eurobus in Ghana. The conversation delves into the history of the Eurobus community in To Do, their commercial activities, and the impact of their presence on the region. Chief Bhuniya shares personal anecdotes, reflecting on the deep-rooted connection between Nigerians and Ghanaians, and the evolution of the Eurobus community in Accra.

Takeaways

• 🎙️ The program 'Heritage on Air' is hosted by Appyoco on 97.3 City FM and City TV, focusing on the theme of Ghana's cosmopolitan nature and its history of welcoming people from different backgrounds.
• 🌟 The guest, Chief Ortuba Allaji Mohammed Bhuniya, is a prominent figure of Nigerian descent, known as Billy Brima, and holds the title of Tuba of the Euro Bus in Ghana and Yoruba Chief of To Do.
• 🛤️ To Do is historically the center of commercial activities and the first point of entry for people coming into Ghana from outside, especially from Nigeria.
• 🏘️ The Euro Bus community initially settled in Accra, with their first base near the General Post Office, before expanding and moving to other areas such as To Do.
• 🏡 The Euro Bus community had a cattle ranch in what is now known as Opera Square, previously called Cowley, which was the foundation of their commercial activities in Ghana.
• 👨‍🦳 The first Euro Bus chief in Ghana was involved in cattle trade, bringing cattle into Ghana and taking cola nuts back to Nigeria, establishing a strong commercial presence.
• 🏛️ The government acquired the original Euro Bus settlement near the General Post Office in the 1950s to expand the facility, prompting the community to relocate.
• 👶 The name 'Brahmin' evolved from 'Ibrahim' and was adopted by the Euro Bus community to distinguish themselves and their descendants in the area.
• 🏫 The Euro Bus community contributed land for the establishment of a school in Accra Newtown, which later became known as West Africa Secondary School.
• 📚 The script mentions the importance of historical records, such as the National Archives, in preserving and verifying the timeline of the Euro Bus community's presence in Ghana.
• ⏳ The migration and establishment of the Euro Bus community in Ghana predates the development of Accra Newtown, with the first chief passing away in 1915, well before Ghana's independence.

Q & A

What is the theme of the 'Heritage on Air' series for the week?

The theme for the week is about the cosmopolitan nature of the gown people, who have always welcomed strangers into their community and lived in harmony with them.

Who is Appyoco and what is his role in the 'Heritage on Air' series?

Appyoco is the host of the 'Heritage on Air' series on 97.3 City FM and City TV, where he discusses various topics related to the heritage of the gown people.

Why is the host, Appyoco, excited to speak to Chief Ortuba Allaji Mohammed Bhuniya?

Appyoco is excited because Chief Ortuba Allaji Mohammed Bhuniya is a significant figure of Nigerian descent who is a prominent leader in Ghana, specifically as the Tuba of the Eurobus in Ghana and the Yoruba Chief of Tondo.

What is the significance of Tondo in the context of the Eurobus community in Ghana?

Tondo is the center where people coming from outside Ghana, especially from Nigeria, first arrive. It has been a center of commercial activities and is where many Eurobus people can be found.

What was the initial location of the Yoruba chief's palace before it was moved?

The initial location of the Yoruba chief's palace was in the indigenous Accra area, between the General Post Office and Wato Club.

Why was the Yoruba chief's palace moved from its original location?

The palace was moved because the government acquired the land around 1953-54 to expand the General Post Office.

What is the connection between the Eurobus community and the area known as Cowling?

Cowling was where the leader of the Eurobus had a cattle ranch, which is why the place was named after the activity. It was also the first place where the Eurobus community settled before moving to Accra proper.

What is the origin of the name 'Brahmin' as mentioned in the script?

The name 'Brahmin' is derived from 'Ibrahim' and was changed by the old man to identify his descendants and to distinguish them within the local community.

What is the significance of the year 1937 mentioned in the script?

1937 is the year when the Eurobus community acquired Newtown, which later developed and became a significant area where many Eurobus people live.

What can be found in the national archives about the Eurobus community?

The national archives contain records about the Eurobus community, including the death of the old man in 1915 and other historical events related to the community.

What is the role of the school that was established in Accra Newtown?

The school, initially called West Africa Secondary School and later moved to its new site, was given land by the Brahmin community in Accra Newtown for its establishment.

Outlines

00:00

🌍 Cosmopolitan Heritage and Yoruba Chief's Role

The first paragraph introduces the 'Heritage on Air' series on 97.3 City FM and City TV, hosted by Appyoco. The theme for the week is the cosmopolitan nature of the gown people, highlighting their history of welcoming and living harmoniously with strangers. The host is excited to speak with Chief Ortuba Allaji Mohammed Bhuniya, a prominent Nigerian-descent figure known as the Tuba of the Euro Bus in Ghana and the Yoruba Chief of To Do. The conversation aims to explore the historical connection between the Euro Bus and To Do, emphasizing the longstanding relationship and brotherhood between Ghanaians and Nigerians.

05:02

🏛 History of Euro Bus Settlement and Commercial Activities

The second paragraph delves into the history of the Euro Bus community in To Do, a central hub for commercial activities and the first point of entry for many foreigners coming into Ghana, especially from Nigeria. The narrative explains how the initial Nigerian settlers, including the Yoruba Chief's ancestors, were involved in cattle trading and other commercial activities. The paragraph also discusses the establishment of the Euro Bus community in Accra, their initial settlement in Cowling, and the eventual development of Accra Newtown, where many Euro Bus members reside. The story of the Chief's lineage and how the name 'Brahmin' evolved over time due to intermarriages and cultural integration is also highlighted.

10:04

🕰️ Legacy of the Euro Bus Chief and Accra Newtown's Development

The third paragraph continues the historical account of the Euro Bus community, focusing on the legacy of the Chief's family and the development of Accra Newtown. It mentions the Chief's grandfather's death in 1915, well before the area's significant growth and development, which began in earnest after 1937. The paragraph also notes the establishment of educational institutions like West Africa Secondary School, which was initially located on land provided by the Brahmin community. The narrative underscores the deep roots of the Euro Bus community in Ghana and their contributions to the country's commercial and cultural landscape.

Keywords

💡Heritage

Heritage refers to the traditions, beliefs, and values that are passed down through generations within a culture or group. In the context of the video, it is the theme of the week, celebrating the diverse cultural integration and history of the people, particularly focusing on the cosmopolitan nature of the Ghanaian people and their welcoming of various ethnic groups, including Nigerians.

💡Cosmopolitan

Cosmopolitan describes a community, culture, or individual that is composed of diverse elements from various parts of the world, indicating a global outlook. The script highlights the Ghanaian people as cosmopolitan, emphasizing their historical openness to welcoming and integrating with people from different backgrounds, which is a key point in the discussion about cultural harmony.

💡Yoruba Chief

A Yoruba Chief is a leader within the Yoruba community, an ethnic group from Nigeria, who holds significant authority and respect. In the script, Chief Ortuba Allaji Mohammed Bhuniya is mentioned as an important figure, being the Tuba of the Eurobus in Ghana and the Yoruba Chief of To Do, illustrating the integration of Nigerian leadership within Ghanaian society.

💡Eurobus

Eurobus seems to refer to a community or group of people, likely of Nigerian descent, who have settled in Ghana. The script discusses the history and impact of the Eurobus in Ghana, particularly in the area of To Do, showing their deep roots and contributions to the local commercial activities and society.

💡To Do

To Do is a location in Ghana, described as a center of commercial activities and the first point of entry for many people coming into the country, especially from Nigeria. The script uses To Do as a focal point to discuss the history of cultural integration and the establishment of the Eurobus community there.

💡Accra

Accra is the capital city of Ghana and is mentioned in the script as the original settlement area for the Yoruba Chiefs before they moved to other locations like To Do. It serves as a historical reference point for the migration and settlement patterns of various communities within Ghana.

💡Cultural Integration

Cultural Integration refers to the process by which different cultural groups blend and coexist within a society, often adopting and influencing each other's customs and traditions. The script discusses the historical cultural integration of Nigerians, specifically the Eurobus, into Ghanaian society, highlighting the harmony and mutual influence between the groups.

💡Commercial Activities

Commercial Activities are economic transactions and ventures that involve the exchange of goods and services. The script mentions To Do as a center of commercial activities, indicating the importance of trade and business in the area's history and the role of the Eurobus community in this commercial hub.

💡Intermarriages

Intermarriages are unions between individuals from different cultural, ethnic, or social backgrounds. The script implies that intermarriages have occurred within the Ghanaian and Eurobus communities, contributing to the blending of cultures and the formation of a unique heritage.

💡Brahmin

Brahmin, in the context of the script, seems to refer to a specific family or lineage within the Eurobus community in Ghana, possibly derived from the name Ibrahim. The script discusses how the Brahmin family contributed to the establishment and development of educational institutions, such as schools, in the area.

💡Accra Newtown

Accra Newtown is a district in Accra, Ghana, mentioned in the script as an area where many houses were built for the Eurobus community. It signifies the establishment and growth of the Eurobus community in Ghana and their contribution to the urban development of the city.

Highlights

Introduction to the 'Heritage on Air' series on 97.3 City FM and City TV by the host, Appyoco.

Emphasis on the theme of the week celebrating the cosmopolitan nature of the gown people and their history of welcoming strangers.

Introduction of Chief Ortuba Allaji Mohammed Bhuniya, a prominent figure of Nigerian descent in Ghana.

Chief Bhuniya's roles as the Tuba of the Eurobus in Ghana and the Yoruba Chief of To Do.

Discussion on the historical connection between Eurobus and To Do as a center of commercial activities.

Chief Bhuniya's account of the Nigerians' initial settlement near the General Post Office area in Accra.

The relocation of the Yoruba palace due to government acquisition for the expansion of the General Post Office.

The movement of the Eurobus community from Accra proper to areas like Cowling and later To Do.

The establishment of a cattle ranch by the leader of the Eurobus, which led to the naming of Cowling.

The Eurobus community's involvement in cattle trade between Ghana and Nigeria.

The growth of the Eurobus community in To Do and the establishment of a Yoruba chief there.

Chief Bhuniya's personal experiences growing up in To Do with family ties to Accra and other areas.

The development of Accra Newtown and its significance to the Eurobus community.

The acquisition of land in Accra Newtown by the Eurobus community in 1937.

The historical significance of the Eurobus community's presence in Ghana predating independence.

The death of the original Eurobus chief in 1915 and its documentation in the national archives.

The evolution of the Brahma name from Ibrahim and its importance to the Eurobus community's identity.

Transcripts

[Music]

do

[Music]

hello and welcome to the heritage on air

series

right here on 97.3 city fm and city tv

my name is appyoco and we're enjoying

this

gar week of game brilliance when it

comes to our heritage

if you've not been listening to us or

watching us or following these

conversations this week

let me let you know and for those of you

who have been let me remind you

that our theme for this week is

we've been speaking about the fact that

the gown people have always been a

cosmopolitan people

we've always welcomed people into our

fold strangers into our mix

and we live with them in harmony and

it's for this reason that today

i'll be speaking to and i'm sure a lot

of you didn't know this a gentleman

a very powerful gentleman of nigerian

descent but he's a gun

and his name and you see where you have

a big money you're missing you can't

just memorize the name we must read it

because you can't pronounce it wrongly

i'm speaking to chief ortuba allaji

mohammed

bhuniya mean brahma and who is he

he's the tuba of the euro buzz in ghana

and he's also the yoruba

chief of to do a very big man

on the streets those of you especially

akka khabib you know him probably as

billy brima

very pleased to have you it's a pleasure

like i said in the intro

we've been speaking about this concept

of ablikum

and in i mean this week that we've been

celebrating

this idea we've spoken to gods of

lebanese descent

guns who are brazilian the sense of the

taboon people

and now i'm very excited personally to

be speaking to you

because a lot of the time i get very

surprised but i laugh when i hear people

say

nigerians are not part of ghanaians

because for those of us who are gaza who

know the history

we know very well that you've always

been our brothers and our sisters and we

are one

literally so i'm going to start by

asking you

first of all as the the chief the yoruba

chief of todo

what's the history between the euro bus

and to do the eurovision

yes yeah

yes the road you're a best thing to do

you know

to do is the center where everybody who

comes from outside ghana

by road drops for the first time

that's where you come so to do is the

center of

commercial activities in those days and

up to now

yes you have to that's where the

transport will land you when you come

from outside ghana especially when

you're coming from

the eastern side of ghana

from nigeria to guberning that's where

you drop so that's the link

between ghana and people coming from

outside

ghana especially with the euro base and

that is where

most of us can be found so over time

what made the universe settle at to do

okay now my eurovision first tester too

you know that time my cry was

on the beach so around i took my

post office that is where it all started

so you can find that the nigerians who

came first

the palace of the chief of yoruba was at

indigenous accra area that is the

general post office area

between the general post office and wato

club

you know that time our palace

or chiefs or the chief grandma the first

house was in between the two

but later on the government acquired it

around 1953-54

to expand the general post office so we

have been

in the accra proper before people

started moving out of accra proper

over the years what of course we've

talked about today as a center of

commercial activity

and of course we'd imagine that people

were going to

do some buying and selling some market

transaction

they'll go home and sleep but how is it

that it got to the point that we have

a whole year about community has to do

to the extent that we have a chief

in your person of the eurobus who live

there

you know when the universe started

moving out of

accra proper they first landed at

cowling

and cowley was where the

leader of the euro base had this cattle

ranch

that's why they called that place

cowling

so cow that the real name is milchagon

milkshaker yes milcha

okay well we call opera square now but

it used to be cowley

the old man at his ranch over there

and he's stable and all that he has

horses he wasn't just selling that he

had a full ranch

and today you know you used to deal in

cattle

bring cattle from outside ghana and take

cola back to

nigeria that was what he was doing at

that time

so he settled down and was doing that

before he became

chief and all that okay so over time

is it it's his lineage that we are now

seeing as the euro bus

in that area yes okay some of them are

family people

and others to join in when they saw that

gold coast is a very humble place we

have to be there

you know because when he landed he

landed elsewhere before he moved to

accra

proper but it's a crowd that he found

peace peace yesterday okay so i want to

talk to you

chief a little bit about what it was

like growing up

as a young europa boy in ghana

at to do pauline in that area what was

it like what do you remember

oh it was it was great because

although i was living in to do i had

aunties and uncles and grandpas and

grandmom

in okay cowley all over

so we've been going in and out of maine

accra

into to do and you know and later on at

araka

we had families in advance our people to

some of them came there

across new if you look at acronym utah

creditor was acquired by

the bremer family it used to be called

means

so that's where we acquired initially

for our farm

but later on development came and people

started here

so they were happy there so that's why

this time

with their girls we didn't have any

problem yes we're happy and we had there

and even a school came

to arrow me lagos town

that is what they have changed now to be

a cry new town

and west africa college

[Music]

that we used to call west africa

secondary school came there and

the farm it is the brahmins who gave

them the place to have their school

and they were there and you know later

on they moved to their new site that

they are

but it was at acronym newtown they

started negotiating

okay so the name brahma

is it's from you know from from nigeria

did the euro bus bring it or it's a name

that developed with time

when you know after intermarriages and

births of children

within the gun community and what i can

say is that

the bremer derived from ibrahim

but the old man himself wanted

to identify himself you know

so that when they see his children you

know these are

his descendants so he changed the

wedding of the prime remove the eye and

you know made it very much

so anybody

in these areas that where we now come

now you know what's called lagos town

it's not

all these

[Music]

in 1937 that was that one was in 1937

before it started developing and people

started moving there

and so most of the houses you see in

accra newtown are for

eurobase okay okay so

i mean if if rama acquired

acquired newtown in 1937. then clearly

the migration we are talking about

happened long

long before you know even the new town

one was doing his children

they are quite that time the old man has

gone no man died in 1915

fought to be in 1915. so even before

independence

oh yeah his fourth may 1950 at 10 a.m

that's when the old man died

yes remember the time and then yeah the

time

the national archives you can find it

there