The Kumbungu Chief, Alhaji Naa Abu Iddrisu II has left many tongues wagging for showcasing what in Dagon customs and traditions has never happened in the last 40 years in Dagbon following his display of traditional powers as the Chief Warrior of the overlord when he was led by a swarm of bees to Tamale on his journey to Yendi, MyNewsGh.com reports.
It was both a shocking and interesting sight to behold on Monday 14th January 2019 in Tamale when the chief and his entourage displayed the rich Dagbon custom as part of their four-day journey to Yendi to be part of the final funeral rites of the late Ya-Naa Yakubu Andani II.
Basharu Alhassan Dabali, spokesperson for the Andani family explained to MyNewsGh.com that as the Chief Warrior of the Yaa-Naa, the bees give direction to the Kumbungu Chief and during the period of war were always unleashed on the enemy upon instruction to ease their way to victory.
He disclosed that the display of bows and arrows among another traditional war regalia could be equated to present day display of weapons by the military or police signaling to the enemy to stay off since they are more than prepared to take them on if they dare.
“The bees determine where the chief rests. Even before he gets to Yendi, the bees will go and settle at a particular house which will be where he will stay until his role and presence at the funeral of the late chief is over”, he revealed.
Explaining further he said “the bees are not dangerous and have spiritual powers to determine when the Kumbungu Chief’s life is in danger that is when they will attack the aggressors mostly the enemy”
Meanwhile, it is part of the tradition that no pregnant woman is expected to stand by the shoulder of the road as the chief journeys to the Traditional Home of Dagbon as such persons risk miscarriages.
Shops along the roads he will use must remain closed for fear of looting with Tamale – Kumbungu Road through the sharp corner, the ADB/ Commercial Bank Road to MTN Office, all the way to Kalpohini, a suburb of Tamale as the first routes that were used.
Today Tuesday is the second part of his journey and he would use Kalpohini Estate to Sara Junction, along the Nim Avenue Road, and from Tamale Teaching Hospital through Vittin Barrier to Mion where he would spend two days and finally leave for Yendi on Thursday, January 17.
The Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has revealed that accredited Dagbon elders will on January 18, 2019, consult the traditional oracles for the selection of a new Ya-Naa, for Dagbon, MyNewsGh.com reports.
In a statement released to clear the air on challenges resulting from sporadic shooting ahead of the performance of the funeral of the late, Yaa-Na Andani Yakubu II, the Chairman of the committee of eminent chiefs stated that the process has not been halted as reported by a section of the media.
The King anticipates that things go as planned indicating that the Kampakuya Naa Andani Yakubu Abdulai will perform the circumambulation to complete the funeral process on Friday 18th January 2019 before the accredited elders enter the sacred room to choose a New Yaa-Naa.
“On Thursday. 17th January 2019. Kampakuya Naa Andani Yakubu Abdulai will perform the circumambulation to complete the funeral process on Friday 18th January 2019. On the evening of Friday, 18th January 2019 the accredited elders of Dagbon, will enter the sacred seclusion to consult the traditional oracles for the selection of a new Ya-Naa”, the statement added.