Institute of African Studies Research Review New Series Vol. 16, No. 2 2000 UNIVERSITY OF GHANA LEGON The Research Review of the Institute of African Studies is a peer-reviewed scholarly journal appearing twice a year. The Editorial Committee welcomes submissions of papers for publication. These should be academic and scholarly articles that set forth the findings of new research in any branch of African Studies, or discuss and re-evaluate earlier research by the author and authors, or combine these approaches. Articles submitted should not have been previously published. The Editorial Committee also welcomes short reports on research in progress and brief research notes. These will be published in a new journal of the Institute of African Studies, entitled Research Notes and Queries. Submissions should be sent to: The General Editor, Research Review, Institute of African Studies, P.O.Box 73, Legon, Ghana They should be accompanied by a brief biographical note giving the author's name in the form it should appear in print, current academic or professional position, field of research interest, and titles of one or two previous publications. Please see the inside back cover of this issue for detailed instructions. The Editorial Committee also welcomes books from authors and publishers for review in the Research Review. The current subscription price for the Research Review is US$35.00 (surface postage included). Cheques should be made out to the Institute of African Studies. Enquiries about subscriptions and purchase of back issues, and also of other Institute publications, should be addressed to: The Publications Officer, Institute of African Studies, P.O. Box 73, Legon, Ghana. ISSN 0855-4412 Published and printed by the Institute of African Studies, Legon. © Institute of African Studies, Legon, 2002 LIBRARY Michigan State University INSTITUTE OF AFRICAN STUDIES RESEARCH REVIEW New Series Vol. 16 No.2 2000 Editorial Committee Dr. Irene Odotei, Ag. Director & Honorary Chair Professor M. E. Kropp Dakubu (General Editor/Issue Editor) Dr. Akosua Adomako Ampofo Dr. A. K. Awedoba (Issue Editor) Mrs. Delali Badasu Prof. Christine Oppong Dr. Brigid Sackey Advisory Editors Professor R. Addo-Fening Professor J. R. Anquandah Professor Kofi Anyidoho Dr. S. A. Asiama Professor Max Assimeng Nana Professor Abayie Boaten Mr. Kofi Drah Professor G.P. Hagan Professor John Nabila The Research Review is a journal of current research in African Studies published by the Institute of African Studies of the University of Ghana, Legon. Authors are solely responsible for opinions expressed in their articles. Editor's Note This issue of the Research Review contains papers on the general theme of language. Volume 17 will consist of a double issue on Globalisation and Changes in the Cultures of Survival and Care. TABLE OF CONTENTS Editor's Note Notes on Contributors Aspects of Akan Oral Literature in the Media Kofi Agy>ekum Communicating Nominatum: Some Social Aspects of Bono Personal Names Kwasi A nsu-Kyeremeh Social Roles of Riddles, with Reference to Kasena Society A.K. Awedoba Person al Names of the Dagomba M.E. Kropp Dakubu ii iv 1 19 35 53 Book Review: A.K. Awedoba, An Introduction to Kasena Society and Culture through their Proverbs, Christiane Owusu-Sarpong 67 11! Notes on Contributors Kofi Agyekum is a Lecturer at the Department of Linguistics,University of Ghana, Legon. Kwasi Ansu-Kyeremeh is an Associate Professor in Communication Studies and the Director of the School of Communication Studies, University of Ghana. Albert Kanlisi Awedoba is a Senior Research Fellow in Social Anthropology in the Institute of African Studies, University of Ghana, Mary Esther Kropp Dakubu is Professor of Language and Literature in the Institute of African Studies, University of Ghana. Christiane Owusu-Sarpong was Associate Professor of French at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi. She now lives in Paris. IV