Kwasi Millah of Dompofie sits under the shade of a tree while processing calabash (gourd) bowls (chrԑgbͻͻ in Nafaanra). The interior is scraped clean and the calabash set aside to dry. While some are kept for household use, many are sold at market. Once dried, the calabash bowls are durable utensils used for cooking, bathing, and other household tasks. Dompofie, June, 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. 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.
Kwasi Millah, Elder of Kuulo Katoo and caretaker of Kuulo shrines, stands in front of the tree that sprang up at the spot where Lelɛɛ Wurache, the Kuulo ancestress, sank into the ground, as described in the family history of Kuulo Katoo. Outskirts of Dompofie, June, 1995.
People gather to watch as offerings are made at the base of Lelɛɛ Wurache's tree on the outskirts of Dompofie. Kwasi Millah (seated, center) holds a glass as Daniel Kofi Nakpah pours drink in preparation for the offering of libations. Dompofie chief Tolɛɛ Emmanuel Dwiri stands far right (blue cloth). The occasion was prompted by the request of the Banda Research Project group to conduct archaeological excavations at Kuulo Kataa. Outskirts of Dompofie, June, 1995.
Magdalene Attah uses a small wooden mortar and pestle to process cassava flour while two goats forage in the background. The large wood pile to the rear (left) is associated with the tobacco drying barns that line the south edge of Ahenkro. Ahenkro, May, 1995.
Villagers from Dompofie gather beneath Lelɛɛ Wurache's tree. People have come to witness libations and offerings to the shrine, prompted by the request by members of the Banda Research Project to conduct archaeological excavations at Kuulo Kataa. Standing center in the blue strip-woven cloth is Kwasi Millah. A member of the Banda Research Project team (Andy Black; bearded, on left) joins the group. Outskirts of Dompofie, June, 1995.
Kwasi Millah offers libations to Kuulo ancestors at the base of Lelɛɛ Wurache's tree. The occasion was prompted by the request of the Banda Research Project group to conduct archaeological excavations at Kuulo Kataa. Outskirts of Dompofie, June, 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.
Kwasi Millah, seated right, makes offerings to Kuulo ancestors at the base of Lelɛɛ Wurache's tree. The occasion was prompted by the request of the Banda Research Project group to conduct arcaheological excavations at Kuulo Kataa. Outskirts of Dompofie, June, 1995.
Two young boys tend to a pretend tobacco drying barn that they have built on the south side of Ahenkro, near to where tobacco is being processed. A functional drying barn is visible in the background (center) alongside large piles of wood that will be used to fuel it. Two photos. Ahenkro, 1995.