Family history interview with Elders of Loobia Katoo dressed in customary attire for the Yualie Festival celebrated at the harvest time for sorghum and millet. Loobia Katoo supplies the custodian of the Jafun shrine to which offerings are made during the Yualie Festival. The family brought the shrine to Banda from Senyon (Northern Region) during the time of Dabla, paramount chief of Banda. In the background (left) calabash (gourd) bowls (chrԑgbͻͻ in Nafaanra) are set out to dry. Left: custodian of the Jafun shrine, Kwadwo Kamiekunu (Jafun Bͻͻnyiifun); right: Amman Nyiimor (female head), 24 July, 1986.
Kofi Gyasi, Gyasehene, offers libations to the ancestors at the Ahenkro palace. The occasion was prompted by the return of Banda Research Project members, seeking to continue archaeological research. Ahenkro palace, 10 July, 2009. Length: .49 minutes.
Banda Paramount Chief Tolԑԑ Kofi Dwuru III and elders pause as they process down Ahenkro's main street on the day of the New Yam Festival (Finyjie Lie in Nafaanra). They stand under the paramount chief's umbrella topped with a blackened carved wooden figure. L-R: Kwame Gyani; Kofi Gyase (Gyasehene); Kupo Aboateaa (Bamuhene); Tolԑԑ Kofi Dwuru III (Omanhene); Kwadwo Gbao; Senyono Kyeame; Fordjour Major. Ahenkro, 30 August, 1982.
Rights:
Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial
Publisher:
University of Victoria Libraries
Location(s) Facet:
Ahenkro
Subjects:
Elders; Gyasehene; New Yam Festival; Umbrella; Omanhene
Subjects Facet:
Chiefs; Rites and ceremonies; Royal regalia; Wood carvings
An Elder (Kwame Ble) pours libations on the day of the New Yam Festival (Finyjie Lie in Nafaanra) at the Ahenkro palace. Front, L-R: Senyono ; Kwame Ble; Kwabena Kuma. Ahenkro, 30 August, 1982.
Banda Research Project team members wearing blue shirts with the "Unity" logo and dresses embroidered in blue process down Ahenkro's main street from the Paramount Chief's palace to the Banda Cultural Centre for the centre's commissioning ceremony. Ann B. Stahl-- just enstooled as an honorary Queen Mother by the Banda Traditional Council under the stool name Lelɛɛ Yadwo Gongo II--is carried in a palanquin lined with kente cloth and shaded by one of the chief's royal umbrellas. A woman in local-made strip woven cloth stands left, with Binghamton University MA student Alex Caton wearing local dress to her right. To her right in blue-embroidered dresses are project team members Doris Millah and Doris Mensah. Visible in the background are the thatched and iron roofs of houses lining Banda-Ahenrko's main street. Ahenkro, 21 July, 1995.
Rights:
Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial
Publisher:
University of Victoria Libraries
Location(s) Facet:
Ahenkro
Subjects:
Queen Mother; Banda Cultural Centre; Umbrella; Palanquin; Banda Research Project
Subjects Facet:
Rites and ceremonies; West African strip weaving; Thatched roofs; Metal roofing; Textiles; Clothing; Kente cloth; Litters (vehicles); Royal regalia
The glass beads considered sacred and used in the puberty (Manaa Ndiom) and marriage (Bijam) rites of Nafana women are stored within a calabash bowl, its lid lying next to it. Most of the beads are imported varieties typical of those that circulated in the Atlantic trade period. On top of two other lidded calabash bowls rests a pair of iron manacles or shackles which are included among ritual paraphernalia. Ahenkro, July 1995.
Women of Sielͻngͻ Katoo (royal house) relax on the courtyard steps of the palace on the day of the New Yam Festival (Finyjie Lie in Nafaanra). L-R: Ama Nyeni; Yaa Krah; Akua Kuma; Yaa Kuma; Akua Kyenkyenku; Kosua Dooko. Ahenkro, 28 July, 1986.
Palace drummers play an ensemble of '"fontomfrum" (back), "atumpan" (center) and other drums as a woman (Kabrenga) dances at the Ahenkro palace during the celebration of the New Yam Festival (Finyjie Lie in Nafaanra). Drummer in orange shirt, center, Kofi Boakye. Man standing, far right over drums, Kwasi Peter. Ahenkro, 28 July, 1986.
Rights:
Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial
Publisher:
University of Victoria Libraries
Location(s) Facet:
Ahenkro
Subjects:
Palace; Atumpan drum; New Yam Festival; Fontomfrom drum
Subjects Facet:
Drums (musical instrument); Rites and ceremonies; Dance
Elders gathered at the Ahenkro palace on the day of the New Yam Festival (Finyjie Lie in Nafaanra). Back left, Mose Krontihene; Front, L-R: Kwadwo Kyeama (Linguist); Kupo Aboateaa (Bamuhene); Kofi Gyasi (Gyasehene); Tolԑԑ Kofi Dwuru III (Omanhene); Senyono Kyeame; Unknown man in kente cloth. Child seated in front, Kwasi K. Man in blue cloth to right front, Kwame Gbanari. Ahenkro, 30 August, 1982.
Elders gathered at the Ahenkro palace on the day of the New Yam Festival (Finyjie Lie in Nafaanra). Seated, front row, third from left, Kwabena Dibi. Sixth from left, Kofi Gyasi (Gyasehene); Tolԑԑ Kofi Dwuru III (Omanhene); Kupo Aboateaa (Bamuhene). Seated, far right on chair, Yaw Fori (Swordbearer). Ahenkro, 28 July, 1986.
Young girls wear the sacred beads and necklaces associated with the girls' nubility rites, known in Nafaanra as Manaa Ndiom. They are dressed in Manaa Ndiom attire as part of a cultural celebration associated with the commissioning of the Banda Cultural Centre. Manaa Ndiom is a time when adolescent girls come together to learn from their female elders as they transition to womanhood. Here they walk alongside women carrying wooden stools to the Cultural Centre grounds. Adua Bedeaba leads the group as Almata follows. Ahenkro, 21 July, 1995.
Young girls wear the sacred beads and necklaces associated with the girls' nubility rites, known in Nafaanra as Manaa Ndiom. They are dressed in Manaa Ndiom attire as part of a cultural celebration associated with the commissioning of the Banda Cultural Centre. Manaa Ndiom is a time when adolescent girls come together to learn from their female elders as they transition to womanhood. Pictured, front row, L-R: Mariyama Puwee, Ama Kyerah (wearing white), Adua Bedeaba, Sarah Photo, Yaa Broni, __, Alamata, Adwoa Fordjour. Swordbearer, right: Kwabena Sekedua. Women in back row, L-R, Toryaa (center) and Afua Basabasa. Ahenkro, 21 July, 1995.
Oral history of Habaa Katoo (house), Ahenkro, describes how the family came to live in the Banda area and their movements in relation to wars between Banda and Asante. Also described are negotiations to settle a dispute with Kulango people and the history of how the family acquired the Kete dance from Kulango people. A list of former male and female heads of family is provided. To cite: Stahl, Ann, and James Anane. 2011. Habaa Katoo, Banda-Ahenkro. In, "Family Histories from the Banda Traditional Area, Brong-Ahafo Region, Ghana, 1986," pg. 16. Brochure circulated 1989, reissued with photos and additional histories in 2011. 4 pages.
Rights:
Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial
Publisher:
University of Victoria Libraries
Location(s) Facet:
Ahenkro
Subjects:
Kakala; Kete; Latolo; Bui ; Family history; Migration; Habaa Katoo
Subjects Facet:
Banda (Brong-Ahafo Region, Ghana); Music; Rites and ceremonies; Gold; Wars; Oral history; Ashanti; Gongs; Kulango (African people); Nafana (African people)
Creator:
Stahl, Ann B. ; Anane, James
Contributors:
Dr. Ann B. Stahl; Afua Kumah; Abraham Forjour; Adoa Tami; Enoch Mensah
Boys dress in traditional attire for the annual Children's Day festivities sponsored by local schools. Seated in front is an adolescent dressed as a chief. He and the two boys standing behind him (center and right) wear cloths made by strip-weaving. A boy standing left holds a linguist staff. Ahenkro, 23 June, 2009.
Young girls dress in nubility attire for the annual Children's Day sponsored by local schools. They wear snail shell necklaces and have applied white paint to their face, chest and midriff. This attire is associated with the nubility ceremonies of groups from southern Ghana and is adopted here as a generic form of ritual costume. L-R: Yaa Naa (in profile); Akosua Kojie (yellow head scarf); Naomi (back row); Isha Brimah (vertical stripes); Atta Forkour (center front); Yaa Manu (behind); Florence (behind); Akua Yaa Wale (red & black head scarf); Shallot Vasco (far right). Ahenkro, 23 June, 2009.
Rights:
Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial
Publisher:
University of Victoria Libraries
Location(s) Facet:
Ahenkro
Subjects:
Banda Cultural Centre; Children's day; Nubility rites
Oral history of Loobia Katoo (house), Ahenkro, describes how a powerful shrine called Jafun came to the Banda area from Senyon, in Gonjaland. The shrine is associated with the sorghum harvest festival and the associated rites are summarized. The list of former keepers of the shrine is included. To cite: Stahl, Ann, and James Anane. 2011. Loobia Katoo, Banda-Ahenkro. In, "Family Histories from the Banda Traditional Area, Brong-Ahafo Region, Ghana, 1986," pp. 29-30. Brochure circulated 1989, reissued with photos and additional histories in 2011. 2 pages.
Paramount chief Tolԑԑ Kofi Dwuru III (Omanhene) dances to the rhythms of fontomfrum and atumpan (in Twi) drums at the celebration of the New Yam Festival (Finyjie Lie in Nafaanra) in the Ahenkro palace. He wears a blue-and-white strip woven cloth of the type previously made from locally spun and dyed cotton thread. Two photos. Ahenkro, 28 July, 1986.
Rights:
Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial
Publisher:
University of Victoria Libraries
Location(s) Facet:
Ahenkro
Subjects:
New Yam Festival; Palace; Fontomfrom drums; Atumpan drums
Subjects Facet:
Drums (musical instrument); Chiefs; Dance; Music; Rites and ceremonies
Oral history of Kofi Krԑma [Krema] Katoo (house)--a subhouse of Gbaha Katoo from Makala--describes how they came to live in Ahenkro and the shrines for which the family had responsibility. The animal sacrifices offered to each shrine are described, as are powers of the Nyi and Tie "festishes." Former male and female heads of family are listed. To cite: Stahl, Ann, and James Anane. 2011. Kofi Krɛma Katoo, Banda-Ahenkro. In, "Family Histories from the Banda Traditional Area, Brong-Ahafo Region, Ghana, 1986," pp. 25-26. Brochure circulated 1989, reissued with photos and additional histories in 2011. 2 pages.
Oral history of Pejomako Katoo (house), Ahenkro, describes the family's role as a subfamily of the royal house (Sie Lͻngͻ Katoo) in charge of the conduct of females in the royal family. The story of how the family came to hold this role is recounted and a list of former male and female heads of family is provided. To cite: Stahl, Ann, and James Anane. 2011. Pejomako Katoo, Banda-Ahenkro. In, "Family Histories from the Banda Traditional Area, Brong-Ahafo Region, Ghana, 1986," pg. 33. Brochure circulated 1989, reissued with photos and additional histories in 2011. 1 page.
Rights:
Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial
Publisher:
University of Victoria Libraries
Location(s) Facet:
Ahenkro
Subjects:
Manaa Ndiom; Animal sacrifices; Family history; Bijam; Pejomako Katoo
Subjects Facet:
Banda (Brong-Ahafo Region, Ghana); Rites and ceremonies; Nafana (African people); Oral history; Puberty rites; Marriage customs and rites
At a day-long celebration of the Banda area's rich cultural heritage at the Banda Cultural Centre in Banda-Ahenkro, men associated with the Kralɔngɔ Royal Palace performed a Nafana version of Kete. Known primarily as an Akan royal practice, Nafana oral histories characterize Kete as a genre they learned from Kulango people. In this performance, four men simultaneously use brass rattles and play flutes that oral accounts say were taken from the Kulango in their performance of five Kete songs. They are accompanied by two drummers and a man playing an iron gong. Ahenkro, 28 June, 2019. Length: 00:13:14 minutes.
At a day-long celebration of the Banda area's rich cultural heritage at the Banda Cultural Centre in Banda-Ahenkro, Ligbi community members from Bongase performed a masquerade dance which today they call "Bedu" but scholars term "Do." Two masks performed: Mbong (Baboon) and Gbanyamuso (Beautiful Gonja Woman). Their costumes include metal jangles worn around their ankles. The dancers are accompanied by women singing in Ligbi and drumming on conga and box drums, as well as by young men drumming and fanning the dancers. Ahenkro, 28 June, 2019. Length: 00:15:26 minutes.
At a day-long celebration of the Banda area's rich cultural heritage at the Banda Cultural Centre in Banda-Ahenkro, Kuulo people from Dompofie share customs associated with their wedding celebrations. A bride and groom accompanied by two girls sit as women sing songs of praise and dance in a circle around them. A pot containing pito (locally brewed grain beer) sits in front of them. The women wear strip-woven local cloth wraps around their waists. In an opening song, the women beat rhythms with calabash gourd drinking bowls as they dance. The gourds are placed in front of the newly married couple after the first dance. After the final dance, the calabash bowls are used to catch overflowing beer poured from the pito pot, signaling that the bride was a virgin when married. Ahenkro, 28 June, 2019. Length: 00:20:21 minutes.
Rights:
Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial
Publisher:
University of Victoria Libraries
Date:
2019-06-28
Location(s) Facet:
Ahenkro
Subjects:
Performance; Kuulo, Dompo (African people)
Subjects Facet:
Dance; Songs; Music; Rites and Ceremonies; Marriage customs and rites; Gourd, Calabash; West African strip weaving; Heritage
Part 4 of a four-part video, based on an interview with Adjua Tini of Habaa Katoo. Though the interview was concluded, Adjua Tini wanted to close the session with a song. One song led to another, and soon she was joined by Lelԑԑ Yahͻͻ, with whom she sang a number of songs associated with courtship, marriage and funerals. Several songs toward the end of the short film are not accompanied by video footage. Ahenkro. Length: 00:36.05 minutes.
At a day-long celebration of the Banda area's rich cultural heritage at the Banda Cultural Centre in Banda-Ahenkro, Nafana people from Boase share customs associated with their wedding celebrations (Bijam). Two young women dressed as brides wear local strip woven cloth and carry walking sticks as they approach the Banda Cultural Centre, accompanied by female relatives and young girls dressed in nubility attire. After circling the event grounds, the girls are seated and the women perform a series of songs and dances accompanied by calabash drums. Men and women well-wishers toss maize kernels in the water of the calabash drums as they dance. Afterwards, the brides, covered by cloth, dance behind an elder relative as other women prepare their path by pouring water from a bucket. Afterwards, locally made grain beer (pito) is poured into a calabash, overflowing to signal that the brides were virgins at the time of their marriage.In a final dance, female relatives dance with a bowl of food, after which gifts are presented to the bride's family. Many of the women wear locally made strip-woven blue-and-white textiles as wraps. Ahenkro, 28 June, 2019. Length: 00:22:01 minutes.
Rights:
Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial
Publisher:
University of Victoria Libraries
Date:
2019-06-28
Location(s) Facet:
Ahenkro
Subjects:
Performance; Nafana (African people)
Subjects Facet:
Dance; Songs; Music; Rites and Ceremonies; Marriage customs and rites; Gourd, Calabash; West African strip weaving; Drums (musical instrument); Heritage
An elder dances to the rhythms of fɔntɔmfrɔm and atumpan (in Twi) drums at a funeral celebration held the day after an elderly woman died. The funeral is celebrated beneath the shade of the large kapok tree on the south side of Ahenkro at the market site. Two photos. Ahenkro, 15 October, 1982.
Men associated with the Kralɔngɔ Royal Palace perform a Nafana version of Kete during a heritage celebration organized by the Banda Heritage Initiative. Several men play flutes and brass rattles that oral histories say were captured from Kulango people. They are accompanied by men playing drums and (left) an iron gong. Ahenkro, 28 June, 2019.
Nafana women play calabash rattles as they sing songs associated with customary puberty and marriage celebrations at a heritage celebration organized by the Banda Heritage Initiative. Two women from Ahenkro are joined (left) by District Chief Executive Mary Komeh (white blouse). Ahenkro, 28 June, 2019.
A Nafana hunter from Fawoman performs a hunter's dance at a heritage celebration organized by the Banda Heritage Initiative. Crouched in front of a pot that was smashed in an earlier dance, he clenches a bundle of leaves in his teeth as he assumes an animal's posture. Ahenkro, 28 June, 2019.
Nafana men from Fawoman perform a hunter's dance at a heritage celebration organized by the Banda Heritage Initiative. Crouched on the ground, the men enact the process of tracking an animal as women sing and men drum in the background. The man in the front holds a gun. Ahenkro, 28 June, 2019.
During a performance of songs and dances associated with puberty (Manaa Ndiom) and marriage (Bijam) celebrations as practiced in Boase, elder Afua Gyakari holds a microphone as she sings surrounded by other elders, including Boase chief Tolԑԑ Ligbi Wulotei (wearing a black-and-gold cap). Ahenkro, 28 June, 2019.
Women from Boase sit together under a canopy at a heritage celebration organized by the Banda Heritage Initiative. Young women dressed in attire associated with marriage (Bijam) and puberty (Manaa Ndiom) celebrations are seated in the center. To the left are three large calabashes filled with water on which the women will float smaller calabash bowls. These are used as drums to accompany songs sung during marriage and puberty celebrations. Ahenkro, 28 June, 2019.
Heritage; Community event; Drums (musical instrument); Rites and ceremonies; Nafana (African people); Gourd, Calabash; Puberty rites; Marriage customs and rites
Kuulo women from Dompofie sing songs associated with Kuulo marriage celebrations at a heritage celebration organized by the Banda Heritage Initiative. They wear local strip-woven wraps as skirts and hold microphones as they sing. Ahenkro, 28 June, 2019.