The Manste Ankrah Royal Family of Otubluhum Dadebana has successfully held its second Ahuba ceremony, a spiritual rite undertaken in preparation for the Odadaa festival, which signifies the removal of restrictions on drumming and noise-making preceding the annual Homowo festival.
The first Ahuba was held on Tuesday, May, 2025, under the leadership of the Supreme Head of the Ankrah Royal Family, Nii Adjabeng Ankrah II, accompanied by his elders and people, who observed this year’s Ahuma rites at the Dadeban Naa in the Ga State.
The second Ahuba was held on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, marking the return of celebratory activities after a period of quietude.
Just like the first Ahuba, the second one also saw Nii Adjabeng Ankrah II initiate 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.
The ceremony featured the preparation of traditional Kpokpoi and palm nut soup, with chicken as the sole protein source.
After his rites, the elders, led by Asafoatse Kofi Apetrepe II and Asafoatse Onukpa of Mantse Ankrah Royal Family Otublohum Dadeban Naa, then proceeded to various households in the jurisdiction and sprinkled Kpokpoi.
Delivering a brief remark after the ceremony, Nii Adjabeng Ankrah II urged sons and daughters of the traditional area, particularly those in the diaspora, to return home and participate in the age-old rites which were passed on to them by their forefathers.
He underscored the need for unity among the indigenes of the area, saying that “there is the need for unity. We have to unite and stop attacking each other. We do not have to spew falsehoods or lies against each other. Unity breeds strength, togetherness and, most importantly, a strong front against adversaries. Therefore, I want to encourage all those who are far and near to return home and let us all unite and build this family together.
Gyaasehene Nii Abomiti Kokosetsi III, on his part, stressed that the Manste Ankrah Royal Family, Otubluhum Dadebana Naa, is the sole royal family mandated to perform these spiritual rites.
According to him, the second one was important because it paces way for the spiritual leaders who went into the quiet to pray on behalf for the Ga State and the family for a bountiful harvest and a successful homowo celebration to arrive in joy and good tidings.
Nii Abomiti Kokosetsi III explained that these rites are crucial, and if not performed, the celebration of the Homowo would not be successful.
He indicated that nothing at all can stand in the way of these rites because it is endorsed by the supreme one, the forefathers and spiritual lords of the royal family and the Ga State.
“Ahuba is a spiritual rite passed on to us by our forefathers. It is not just a spiritual rite for this royal family but for the entire Ga State. This spiritual has been in existence even before the enstoolment of the Royal Majesties of the Ga State or the Ga Mantsemei.
“At the period when the Naahe Wulomo was the Supreme Head of the Ga State, these spiritual rites were handed over to us to perform, and so they date back to ages and cannot be stopped. All the chiefs who came before Nii Adjabeng Ankrah II all performed these spiritual rites. All our ancestors performed these rites, and today, we are the ones doing it. The next generation of leaders who come will also continue the rites. In the period of the ban on noise making, the Otubluhum Dadebana family acts as spiritual caretakers until the Odadaa period arrives, and so we are the ones that have the responsibility to perform these rites on behalf of the Ga State.”
He concluded by stating that “there is no way we have to destroy our traditions and customs. We have to protect them for the next generation of leaders who will come after us. We must unite as a people in the Ga State and protect our cultural heritage.”
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
