TOMTOM BEATERS, BARBARS, BUTCHERS AND BLACK SMITHS

The estate of Bansi (Aulogist and Musicians) , Wanzamanima Barbers), Nakohanima (Butchers) and Machelnina (Blacksmith), in Dagbon, the pursuit of these four professions and occupation by a person is not a matter of choice by the individual but a compliers of the customary role of once father or ancestor. If a man's maternal grandfather belongs to any of these four estates, he may end up as Tomtom beater, Barber, Butcher or Blacksmith. It is said that when custom calls up a man to pursue any of these occupations and he declaims, he may go mad or become a wretch in his society.

BAANSI (EULOGISTS AND MUSICIANS)

The Baalsi class consist of the tomtom beaters (Lunsi) Poets, the trumpeter (Kikaa), the state drummer (Akarima) and the state violist (Goonje). The tomtom beaters are the dominant group of BaanSA their establishment is as old as the Nam of Dagbon. They are the largest of the group, their master was a son of Ya-Na Nyagsi, they played a significant role in the conquest of the priest Kings, the early rulers of Dagbon. Their presence at any gathering is always felt, above all they are the historians and musicians of Dagbon.

The tomtom drum and the drummer are both called LUNGA in Dagbani, their plural forms are also the same LUNSI. It is only in the usage that the difference is known.

The tomtom beater class has an interesting beginning, History has it that, the founder of this class was one BIZUNG, he was the son of Na-Nyagsi. The Ya-na who established the physical boundaries of Dagbon. Bizung lost his mother at a very early age, and was face with neglect and hunger in the palace where there were many other children. He adopted a method to attract attention when he was hungry, wherever he saw that food had been placed before his father he would use a small stick to drum a broken calabash, the noise made with the calabash attracted the attention of the King who called him into his presence and gave him food.

In due cause of time, he made a small drum for the same purpose of attracting the attention of his father. When he was old enough and could fendfor himself, he looked upon the drum as the instrument that saves him from the pangs of hunger. He improx es upon it and decided to use it to  earn a living. The way he did it this time was not just to make noise to attract attention, but he sang the praises of the Yaa-Naa, he sounded beautiful tunes on the drum to match his singing. This time he got not food but money from both his father and people who were with him when Bizung married and had sons, he taught them how to sing and the time Bizung died, the work of a Tomtom beater had become not only a profession but also a cultural heritage of his offsprings. The Tomtom beaters of Dagbon who are in their thousands trace their blood line to Bizung. The Tomtom beaters are therefore members of one large family — The Bizurtg family.

To every Tonitom beater, Bizung is not just an ancestor but a god who can visit him with death if he falsely swears the oath of Bizung.