FUNERAL



King's Guard

Funeral is among one of the most important traditions among the people of Ghana, it is believed that when someone dies,the last respect is counts, since it will be the last time the deceased is seen in public.

People spend a lot of monies to make the big funeral for person whereas whiles they were living what to eat was a problem.If we compared sometime ago to now, I must say the cost of expensive funerals have come down.At first, they will do what is called wake - keeping where sympathizers will come from all over to keep vigil on the laid in state body.They incur all lots of cost such sympathizers up keep on food, drinks accommodation from normally Friday to Sunday where they go for thanks giving. But now, wake keeping is no more.

They also had a habit of keeping a deceased family member at the mortuary for a long period of time say three months before the final funeral rites are performed and all these while they will be paying.

Again, they come out with a uniformed cloth which every one is supposed to own one, so the women force their husbands to buy these for them which is costly and the unmarried ones turn to all sort of bad habit like sleeping with men for money to get themselves the cloth.I think all these are changing now.

When funeral rites are being performed especially for Kings, we see all sorts of traditions Traditional guards are not left out, All traditional music group such as the Adowa and Kete will be present exhibit traditions through drumming and dancing.

KUMASI FORT

Kumasi Fort

The only fort which resides in the center of  Adum in the garden city of Ghana, is the Kumasi Fort.

This place has a great historical background from the time of Sir Gordon Guggisberg. It was here that, he stayed when he was in Ghana, Kumasi to be precise in the colonial days.

It was here that the phrase "Wo kum apem a, apem b3ba" came about.This is now the motto of the great football club Kumasi Asante Kotoko,

It literally means when thousands get killed, thousands will be coming. This exibits the brave nature of the Ashantis. They do not give up until mission is accomplish.

This was later conquered by the Ashantis and has being in Kumasi till now and serve as a tourist attraction center and people from all over the world comes here to see the fort

THE SCARP

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The center of attraction of this place has been going on for so many years now. The wonderful nature of place has won it self as a place every one wants to see.

This is the Scarp of Mampong (Mampong Kun), which is located 45 minutes drive from Kumasi to Mampong.One of the Paramount towns in the Ashanti Region.

It is in-between Nintin and Mampong.

It also has some historic background of Okomfo Anokye, the best friend of Otumfuo Osei Tutu I. History has it that he left three eggs higher on top of the scarp pronouncing it will be there till end of time and accident free.

Surely, since, nobody has seen a car , Lorry or a truck falling in.



I feel good whenever I am around the scarp and realize the wonders and beauty of nature.

MILLINIUM KINGDOM ( GYE NYAME )

Although a whole lots of Kingdoms have being in existence for the past years and decades ago.Some does not even exist any more. If they even still exist, They have had different changes which have also change it's direction of focus.

But for one Kingdom, I know for sure and have even had the chance to experience same Kind of traditions and cultures which was laid down by the founder.
This Kingdom is the Ashanti Kingdom.

The Kingdom just celebrated 75 years of existence.They have the same traditions and culture over and over again without any modernization of any nature.They have the same bravery attitude from the time they captured many lands across Ghana and beyond.They have great historic background.

The Ashantis,being 2/3's (TWO Thirds) of the population of Ghana have respect for their Kings.Those down the hierarchy have strong respect for their top Kings.

The home of the Ashanti Kingdom is Manhyia.Many people from different places of this continent often comes to Manhyia see the rich culture that have been maintain for decades.

The only occupant of the Golden Stool Otumfuo Osei Tutu Ababio II is a great Millinium King who settles disputes so easily and quickly.His wisdom has being ranked in this world as the King Solomon of our modern times.A great King of our time.

No King comes near.Any Chief who thinks he can rock shoulders with the Otumfuo is deceiving and making a fool out of himself,because there is vast difference between a King and a Chief.

One deems it a great privilege and honor to be under the King.We the subordinates recognizes him as our One and only Great King of our time.

These small Chiefs who wants to rock shoulders should remember that if it was in the older days,any disobedient Chief to the Golden Stool and Manhyia,were said to be brought to the Manhyia with only his skuul.

Long Live Ashanti Kingdom!!! Long Live Ghana !!!

The Sword

One of the most fast growing tourist attraction center in Kumasi is the Okomfo Anokye Museum found inside the Okomfo Anokye Teaching hospital.

The health worker of the hospital will testify that the number of tourist coming in keeps increasing.

It is found inside the compound of the hospital because that is the exact place the event took place.

History has it that,Okomfo Anokye, who was a great friend of Otumfuo Osei Tutu I( the founder of the great Ashanti nation)

and great contributor of the coming of the Golden Stool from the sky, planted the sword on the grounds.

Since then, it has being on the ground till now.

Seeing is believing

THE TUNE

Drumming among Ashanti's have been in existence for a long time now, over centuries ago.It plays an important role in most activities ranging from durbars to festivals like the Odwira and the like.

From the olden days up till now, its still the same tune and plays significant role today too.

During the olden days drums,were used in different ways.Such as

TIME
Before the introduction watch/clock,drums were used to covey time,in morning,mid day and evening drums would sound give time exact time of the day

MASSAGES
Drums were played in the olden days to send massages of all Kinds from the Chiefs to the people.

Every tune had its own meaning.For example,if a King wanted his subordinates to gather at once, there is a tune played together with the gong gong,so within a short time then they will all gather.

VICTORY
When enemies got defeated, special tunes were played for celebration in the olden days.

SOME FORMS OF DRUMMING ARE;
KETE
ADOWA
MPINTIN
NWOMKRO
FONTOMFROM

There are also dances that moved with the different tunes of drums.
Let's take the Kete for instance, a dancer dancing Kete can dance to pay allegiance to Kings and Chief around.

They brings out proverbs in form of making signs.These signs have their meaning such as respect,permission,appreciation and ownership.

Last but not least, they dance to give thanks.

Lastly, insults too can given whiles dancing,especially among rivalry women.

In this modern times,drumming is not left out during occasions such as festivals, individuals outdoing,engagements and lastly funerals.

People specifically come and learn how to play Kete.

THE DUNGEON

The Cape Coast Castle Dungeon is a much talked place among people throughout the world which I have wanted to see since birth.Upon this brought His Excellency President Obama and his family all the way from America to Ghana.But it was only a couple of months ago that I got the chance to witness it my self.

One Saturday,Me and a friend were driving around Kumasi when we heard an announcement on our radio that Panafest is on-going and it was a great event,so we turned and drives straight to Cape Coast.By about two to three a hours drive we were there.

I was so curious to see the dungeon where the Ancestors of Most African Americans came from.So we went and buy our tickets to enter.Because of the Panafest, there were so many people from all around the world.

Some of our brothers and sisters from the diaspora were also there.Some African Americans we were going round the castle with by help of a Tour Guide said they are there to find their routes.some burst out crying upon seeing the Dungeon,because they saw the pains our great great grand fathers went through.

From there,we went straight to the beach to have fun.We played football with guys from Cape Coast,took our favourite drinks and socialized.