The 332-year-old sacred mythic baobab tree in Yendi [Read] 

Called “Naa Binbiegu Tua”, the tree was named after a former Overlord of Dagbon, Zangina Zuu Jinjli, who reigned between 1687-1700 and is believed to be the most unattractive Ya-Na in the history of Dagbon.

The 332-year-old tree used to serve as a sacred place where Naa Binbiegu mounted his gods and idols for sacrifices and libations for the Dagbon Kingdom.

History has it that the motive behind the name of the tree was due to the unattractive nature of the chief and his struggle to ascend to the Dagbon throne. As the eldest son of Naa Zangina, a former Overlord of Dagbon, he was expected to be the regent after the demise of his father and oversee the performance of his funeral.

After the demise of his father, Naa Binbiegu consulted elders of Dagbon and family members to perform the funeral rites of his late father, which brought to light a new Overlord, Naa Andani Sigli.

However, he was not compensated with any chieftaincy role or title after serving as the regent of Dagbon due to his supposed looks. According to historians, when Naa Andani Sigli passed on, people started teasing Naa Binbiegu, asking him to put on the chieftaincy regalia and crown himself as the Ya-Na.

“We are told it was because of his unattractive looks that he was not compensated with any chieftaincy role after serving as the Regent of Dagbon

He explained that there would have been a problem if the kingmakers had not accepted Naa Binbiegu and installed him as the next Overlord of Dagbon after he went through the traditional ritual because it would have been an abomination.