ABSTRACT
In the literature and in administrative practice the inhabitants of Taleland are called the Tallensi and are distinguished as a 'tribe' from neighbouring 'tribes', the Kusaasi on the east, the Namnam or Nabdam on the north, the Nankansi or Gorǝnsi on the west, the Mamprusi on the south of them. All these groups speak dialects of Mole-Dagbane. The Ba'ari people, with the added self-assurance due to their political independence of Tongo, declare themselves to be Talis on the same grounds, though their totemic avoidances differ from those of the hill folk. Whenever Tallensi discuss the cleavages in their society they trace them back to differences of origin. Everyone knows that all Namoos came originally from Mampurugu, how long ago nobody can tell. One is constantly reminded of the cleavage between Namoos and non-Namoos in less dramatic ways, too, for they are for ever contrasting themselves.
