"Y3 Fara Fara" - The People of Bolga Greet You!!

The  Frafra (also known as Gorse) are hardworking agricultural Gur-speaking people fom Bolga that forms a subset of Gurune/Gurunshi ethnic group in Northern Ghana and Southern Burkina Faso. The Frafra people who live predominantly in the north-eastern part of the Upper East Region of Ghana, called themselves in Gurune language as "Gorse,' whilst some historians refer to them as "Gurune." However, when a Frafra meets any Gurune speaking person he refer to him or her as "Mabia" (My family).

Their popular name Frafra is a colonialist term given to them by the Christian Missionaries, who when they first encountered Frafra farmers were greeted with the common greeting to people working "Y3 fara fara?", which means "How is your suffering (work)?" The missionaries began referring to these Gurune people as Frafra, a derivation of the greeting, which eventually was adopted by the people themselves and has been popularized by the Southern Ghanaian peoples.

The Frafra are also well known for their artistic craft products: straw articles like hats and baskets as well as feather products. Their products can be found all over Ghana in the major towns that tourists visit. Since the colonial era Frafra youth have invested most time into redefining the art of basketry over and over to fine perfection and others been compelled to emigrate to the southern parts in search of menial jobs. 

From Literally WovenUk and the people of  Bolgatanga we say a very big 

"Y3 FARA FARA" -  How is work?