...................On this Memorial Day Weekend

Chicago:- On this 2008 Memorial Day Weekend, culture invades Chicago. The coronation of Nana Addai Baffour and Nana Abena Amponsah as well as 15 of their sub-chiefs will be an event for the annals of the Asanteman Association of Chicago and Midwest’s history books. All the paraphernalia and the ingredients that make a traditional durbar unique will manifest at the Grand Ballroom at 6351 S. Cottage Grove. The event will start promptly at 9:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 24 with the Inauguration and Oath Swearing-In Ceremony followed on Sunday, May 25 with a Kente Dance and cultural display at 9:00 p.m.

For those who have never been to the motherland or observed such a spectacle, to be part of this gregarious event is an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Culture has its wings converging on Chicago. Plan to make the Memorial Day Weekend memorable. The last time such an event of this magnitude occurred here was 11 years ago with the enstoolment of Nana Kwasi Appiah.

Slated to participate in this cultural extravaganza on this Memorial Day Weekend will be the Asanteman Association of S. California with leaders Nana Kwaku Nnuro & Nana Amma Ampong Sarpong, Asanteman Association of DC Metro Area with Nana Kofi Boateng, Asanteman Association of NE States with Nana Addai Bawuah & Nana Agyei Yeboah, Asanteman Association of TX (DFW) with Nana Osei O. Asibey-Bonsu, Asanteman Association of Greater Houston with Nana Kwadwo Andoh, Asanteman Association of Toronto with Nana Sarkodie Bandoh, Asanteman Association of USA with Nana Kofi Amponsah, Asanteman Association of Colorado with their President Rev. Agyarkwa Boansi, Asanteman Association of Georgia, with Nana Gyetua Acheampong and Asante Cultural Association of Quebec with Nana Osei Agyemang. The public event will also feature Nana Fredua Agyemang of the Traditional Rulers Association as well as luminaries from the city of Chicago, guests, patrons, well-wishers and curious onlookers.

A coronation of a chief regardless of its size is a remarkable sight. From the procession of chiefs to the cultural troupes’ display of their mastery with different indigenous instruments including makeshift bells, gongs, fontomfroms, dondos and metal castanets to name a few, this event will transform the ballroom into a motherland of its own. Adowa dancers, noted especially for their arousing hip gyrations will demonstrate why their tour-de-force performances and their distinctive choreography is an integral part of any Asante celebration.

The climax of this event no doubt centers on the actual new chief and queen mother and their sub-chief’s enstoolment. Led by sword-carrying royal guards, drummers and musketeers, the participants will arrive much to bewilderment of cheering fans and subjects.

Nana Addai Baffour and his elders call on all to join them in this harmonious affair. The cultural event will include ethnic foods, music, networking and a variety of entertaining activities.

As we become ambassadors of our heritage in representing our various countries, different ethnicities and countless cultures, we have to bear in mind that leaving legacies for our descendants is tantamount with our existence in making our lives prudently worthwhile.

In a melting pot such as the US, identity is a concern. Our ancestors who were forcibly brought abroad in bondage paid with their lives to maintain their culture and it is left up to us to continue the tradition. We appreciate Nana Addai Baffour and the Asanteman Association of Chicago and Midwest, the Ghana National Council as well as all tribal leaders in Chicago including the chiefs and queen mothers of the Brong-Ahafo Association, Ewe Association, Fanti Benevolent Society, Ga-Adangbe Association, Haske Society, Okuapeman Association, Okyeman Association and The Northern Union Ghana Chicago Club for their invaluable charitable heartfelt contributions in helping preserve our heritage.