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Abiriw Festival 2004

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Abiriw Festival 2004

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    1. Abiriw Festival 2004 The Raising of A chief

    2. The ‘Catching” of a Chief December 2000 In Abiriw there is a customary rite of ‘Catching A Chief” In 2000 Nana Ankobea went through this ritual of catching a chief. This is a serious and memorable occasion. A senior chief may decide that he has observed a particular person, and what the chief has observed or the ancestors have foretold, He must “Catch” this person and give them a particular stool of service that is linked to the ancestors. The chief will secretly go about arranging the day and time to “Catch” this person. The chief will consult with the family of the person to indicate the mission, but will not betray the day or time of the “catching” in the event the person may try to evade their destiny. Ultimately the chief will set a day and send an entourage of Asafo ‘warriors” to bring the person to him. The Asafo will rush the house and forcible take the person from their family. These days a mock battle takes place and the Asafo are victorious. They carry the caught person from one end of the town to the other then the ‘catch” is presented to the chief. The entire town is celebrating because they are happy that someone has been found worthy to lead them. The women are waving white scarves and everyone is yelling “Nti Nkwa” “life to your head” These are the shouts that the mind of the chief who will lead them is full of blessed life and wisdom.

    3. Catching a Chief Continued The prospective chief is brought in front of the chief and elders. Libation is poured and any special offerings are made to the soul of the person being caught. Because from that day going their life no longer belongs to them. Their life is fully dedicated to leading the people. The newly caught chief is then put into isolation for seven days to commune with the chiefs of the blackened stools, and the ancestors of the town. Guards are placed outside the door to insure the safety of the newly chosen chief . Then the day comes for the families to celebrate together. The elders come forward and give their advise to the new chief or state to the family any prediction that the ancestors have made about the new chief. And the family is sworn to support the new chief. The newly enstooled chief must then choose a time when he or she will swear allegiance to the chief that has enstooled them. It is at this time that the new chief brings offering to their chief and elders. The new chief calls the family and community together to witness them swearing before their chief and elders. A great party follows this swearing ceremony. And the new chief presents gifts to the elder chief.

    4. After being taken through the entire town, the new chief is seated and the customary offerings to her stool as Ankobeahene the first are made at her feet. She is now ready to walk in the footsteps of the ancestral chiefs.

    5. Once Nana had completed her seven days of seclusion she was then brought in front of the Abusia for a full celebration of welcoming by the family to honor her New status as Nana Ankobeahene “Protector of the Family” To the left of Nana Ankobea is the Atre “elder woman of the family” center is Nana Tufuhene, and to the left of Nana Tufuhene is Abusia Guaw Bekoe “Senior Elder of the family”

    6. The time has come for Nana Ankobea to swear her allegiance to Nana Tufuhene and the Konkonso family. Nana holds the Akofena as she swears that she will serve the family and community. And when her Chief Nana Tufuhene calls her she will come, rain or shine, and only severe illness or circumstance would prevent her from performing her duty. Nana makes her swearing wearing the red and black colors of the ancestors.

    8. Nana Ankobeahene being introduced to the community at the Abiriw Palace. Nana is the only women chief in Abiriw. She is standing with her chief Nana Tufuhene and elder of Konkonso family. The House Speaker of parliament honorable Mr. Peta Ajetti, Nana Kwame Heneku The chief of Abiriw. The Mankrado of Abiriw. Okomfo Nana Bekoe is in the background.

    9. Circle of light Akomfo at palace during the introduction of Nana Ankobeahene

    10. Abiriw Festival 2004 The Raising of A Chief In 2004 Nana Ankobea was called by Tufuhene Nana Asiama Bekoe to return to Abiriw for the annual Abiriw festival. Nana Tufuhene informed Nana Ankobea that this festival was going to be different. The chiefs who held certain stools were going to be carried this year at the festival. He then informed her that she would be carried in the palanquin for women and the male chiefs would be carried in the seku. Nana Ankobeahene arrived in Ghana with Circle of Light members, Okomfo Nana Ajua Serwaa, her son Kwesi Codrington, and Okomfo in training Akosua Nwotwewaa joined them a few days later. “No one can be chief without the help of the people” The Circle of Light members who attended were able to witness a portion of Abiriw history. Nana met with her chief and was instructed on preparations to be made. The most important part for Nana Ankobea of Preparing for the festival was visiting the parent shrines of Larteh to receive medicine and protection from the Abosom. Nana Osofo Abradua, elders, and the newly enstooled Okomfohemma Nana Topra Oparebea 11 of the Nana Akonnedi shrine of Larteh poured libation to bless her carrying.. Okomfo Payne Nana Afua and Akomfo of the Nana Asuo Gyebi Shrine also poured libation and prepared medicines. After the customary offerings was made to Nana Asuo Gyebi, Nana then knew she could proceed with the chief carrying.

    11. Nana Tufuhemma Queen mother of the Konkonso Family of Abiriw and Tufuhemma of Okyere, preparing herself before the carrying.

    12. Nana Tufuhene and Nana Tufuhemma of Abiriw

    13. Okomfo Payne sisters from Larteh come to Abiriw to celebrate with their sister Nana Ankobeahene.

    14. It is the blessings, prayers, libations of the Akomfo that protect the stool of any chief. The support of the spiritual leaders is most important.

    15. The Abiriw festival was filled from one end of the town to the other. Everyone was celebrating and enjoying life. The chiefs being carried in the air is symbolic of raising the chiefs souls up to higher planes to meet with ancient ancestors to receive their empowerment and advise.

    16. Nana Tufuhene Stands tall and mighty for the people of Abiriw. He is a fearless leader and favorite amongst the chiefs in Abiriw.

    17. Nana Kwame Heneku Chief of Abiriw

    18. Nana Ankobeahene pours libation at each intersection of the town. She prays for a good year to come.

    19. After the chiefs are brought down from the palanquins they return to their individual palaces or houses to eat and celebrate all evening.

    20. A week following the raising of the chiefs, all the chiefs must perform sacred rites to return their soul to earth. This is the rite of soul washing. Once this is done the chiefs may return to their everyday life.

    21. “The experience of being raised as a chief is life altering. The level of love and commitment to ensure the elevated survival of your people becomes significantly embedded in all aspects of your thoughts and actions, the voice of the ancestors becomes clearer, the fire within me burns stronger as I search each day for access to all realms that will assist me with my mission”

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