The Supreme Head of the Manste Ankrah Royal Family, Otubluhum Dadebana Naa Nii Adjabeng Ankrah II, led his people in marking the 2025 Ahuba, a spiritual rite performed after the climax of the Nmaadumo rites, which signify the beginning of the Ga Calendar and Homowo festival.
The Nmaadumo rites mark the start of the Ga Calendar and the Homowo festival, with ‘Nmaadumo’ literally translating to ‘the sowing rite’.
On Tuesday, May 20, 2025, the Supreme Head of the Ankrah Royal Family, accompanied by his elders and people, observed this year’s Ahuma rites at the Dadeban Naa in the Ga State.
The ceremony featured the preparation of traditional Kpokpoi and palm nut soup, with chicken as the sole protein source.
Nii Adjabeng Ankrah II initiated the ceremony by performing rites, scooping a portion of Kpokpoi into the traditional ‘Ka’, adding palmnut soup, praying, and sprinkling the mixture thrice at the Dadeban Naa shed.
He then proceeded to the Dadeban Sacred Room, where he also sprinkled Kpokpoi, expressing gratitude to the forefathers and gods for protection and life.
He prayed for their continued watchfulness over the Ga State as it observes the ban on noise-making in anticipation of a bountiful harvest during the Homowo celebrations.
Subsequently, he instructed his elders, led by Asafoatse Kofi Apetrepe II and Asafoatse Onukpa of Mantse Ankrah Royal Family Otublohum Dadeban Naa, to proceed to various households in the jurisdiction and sprinkle Kpokpoi.
Explaining the significance of the rites, Nii Adjabeng Ankrah II stated that the Manste Ankrah Royal Family, Otubluhum Dadebana Naa, is the sole royal family mandated to perform these spiritual rites.
He emphasised the family’s historical contributions to the Ga State, including their role in establishing the Dadeban Naa and their involvement in the funeral rites of the Ga Mantse.
He highlighted that other royal gates visit their Dadeban Sacred Room to perform their roles during Nmaadumo, and after receiving signals from Nai We, they proceed with the Ahuma rites.
He stated that “as part of the seven royal gates in the Ga State, our ancestors played a pivotal role in establishing and protecting the state, contributing significantly to its welfare and stability. Therefore, we cannot be excluded from any activities within the Ga State. Our forefathers, led by the late Nii Too Ahiakwa, founded the Dadeban Naa, and our family was instrumental in safeguarding the state.
Historically, we have been recognised for our contributions to the funeral rites of the Ga Mantse. We were also among those who fought to defend the Ga State in various wars and were responsible for designing the coffins used for the Ga Mantse’s burial.
Furthermore, all six other royal gates visit our Dadeban, or Sacred Room, to perform their roles during the Nmaadumo ceremony. After the Nai We family has performed its rites, they signal the Dadeban Naa’s family to proceed with the Ahuba ceremony by sending drinks.”
Nii Adjabeng Ankrah II urged the Ghanaian public, particularly those in the Ga State, to respect the annual ban on drumming and noise-making, which fosters an atmosphere of peace and spiritual reflection.
This annual ban is a significant cultural practice that fosters an atmosphere of peace, solemnity, and spiritual reflection, celebrating unity, resilience, and gratitude for a bountiful harvest.
Asafoatse Kofi Apetrepe II described the rites as highly significant and called for family unity and preservation of their rich cultural heritage.
He emphasised the responsibility of the current generation to protect and preserve their cultural history and advised the youth in the Ga State to eschew immorality, drug abuse, and violence, encouraging them to take an interest in their customs and traditions.
“Our fathers prepared the way for us, and as the current generation, we have a responsibility in protecting and preserving our rich cultural and, most importantly, family history. Our late fathers sacrificed their blood in establishing this royal family. They did their part, and we are also to do our part.”
He explained that rites were not only limited to them, but any individual who recognises as a Ga is supposed to be proud of this rich cultural history.
He then took the opportunity to advise the youth in the Ga State to eschew all forms of immorality, drug abuse (particularly red), violence and other social vices.
“We are admonishing the youth in the Ga State to eschew all forms of violent activities. They stop taking in red or abusing other drugs. We encourage them to take an interest in the customs and traditions so that when we are no more, they will take over from us,” he added.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana