Vice President Dr Bawumia exchanging pleasantries with the chiefs at the funeral
Thousands of people from all walks of lives yesterday thronged “Sankarayili” the traditional name of Yendi, capital of Dagbon kingdom to observe the climax of the final funeral rites of the overlord of Dagbon Yaa-Naa Yakubu Andani II.
Vice-President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia led a high powered government delegation including the Defence Minister, Mr. Dominic Nitiwul, Minister of Business Development, Dr. Ibrahim Awal, Northern Regional Minister, Mr. Salifu Saeed and hosts of deputy ministers and party functionaries to the final funeral rites.
The Minority Leader in Parliament, Haruna Iddirisu also led the Minority caucus while a delegation from Otumfuo Asantehene Osei Tutu, leader of the Committee of Eminent Chiefs, was also present.
As early as 6a.m. a large crowd had gathered at the Gbewaa Palace in readiness for the commencement of the circumambulation(going round the Gbewaa palace three times) a significant customary rite performed at the funeral.
Some of the enthusiastic crowd had started drumming and dancing to local tunes since Wednesday before the commencement of the traditional rites to climax the funeral.
The whole vicinity of Gbewaa Palace was choked with multitude of people stretching several miles with most of them smartly dressed in various styles of Dagbon traditional wears.
The divisional chiefs who had various roles to play at the final funeral had difficulty discharging their duties because of the milling crowd that left them with little space to operate.
A total of five horses which were being ridden from various locations of Dagbon to the final funeral grounds, at Yendi, died on the way as they could not withstand the spiritual powers of respective owners.
Some of the sub-chiefs clad in traditional war whistles and regalia tried very much to outshine one another at the funeral grounds with the display of magical powers.
The onlookers were thrilled and mesmerised by the performances of the various chiefs and their delegations as they made their way into funeral grounds.
It was culture, customs and affluence on display as the designated chiefs were invited one after the other to perform their traditional functions at the funeral.
At about 3p.m. the entire premises of the Gbewaa Palace was thrown into total frenzy when the regent, Kamkuya-Naa Abdulai Yakubu Andani was ushered out to start circumambulation of the palace as everyone rushed forward to catch a glimpse of him.
There was loud noise accompanied by firing of musketry as the Kampakuya-Naa clad in traditional gear and regalia mounted a decorated horse to exhibit his horse riding skills.
The Kampakuya-Naa again circumambulates the Gbewaa Palace three times to signify the end of closure of the traditional funeral of late overlord, Yaa NaaAndani.
Today, the funeral of the overlord of Dagbon Yaa-Naa Yakubu Andani would be concluded with the family performing “saramalibu” meaning giving of alms and recitation of Holy Quran, in the palace by the chief Imam of Yendi.
From Yakubu Abdul-Majeed, Yendi milling
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