In Ghana, the Kotokoli come from the northern part of the Volta Region in Kuoe. Kuoe shares a border with Togo with a small river of the same name separating it from Togo.
The Kotokoli live in the West African countries of Togo, Ghana and Benin. In Togo, they are concentrated in towns such as Sokode, which is located along one of Togo’s ancient caravan routes.
Sokode, meaning “too close,” derived its name because the town was frequently isolated by barriers built by tribal groups trying to control the caravan trade.
The Kotokoli emigrated from what is now Burkina Faso into the Sokode region during the 1600s and 1700s. They arrived as a confederation of Gurma chiefdoms. Even today, the Kotokoli chief, or Uro, still resides in Sokode.
Tem (Temba), or Kotokoli (Cotocoli), is a Gur language spoken in Togo, Ghana, and Benin.
Polygyny (having multiple wives) is permitted among the Kotokoli. However, according to Muslim law, a man must not have more than four wives. The first wife enjoys a superior status over the other wives. Each wife lives in a separate hut.
Below are 40 Kotokoli names and their meaning for your consideration.
1. Abimo Isso – If Alha permit/ By the will or wish of God
2. Chaa-mola – A man of mola
3. Chaa-kooli – A man of kooli
4. Chakifenbi – Seek for goodness
5. Deeziti – Believer
6. Disolidama – Let’s love ourselves
7. Doworo-natidti – Back is peaceful
8. Folibaazi – Start early
9. Iraa-tei – People are unwilling
10. Isso-nyina – God knows
11. Isso-rom – Innocent
12. Isso-temaa – God’s protection
