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LESSON FOR TODAY-060320-CEREMONIAL UMBRELLA FOR GHANA'S TRADITIONAL LEADERS




One of the interesting observations we should be making in most of the previous lessons and the videos are the use of special Umbrellas called AHENFO KYINIE.   

Used by almost all Akan or Southern Ghana Chiefs as well as some parts of Ghana, the Ceremonial Umbrella is a symbol of true Cultural Heritage, Pride, Communication, Authority, Grace, Peace, Unity, Power, Intelligence, Humility and many others.


The use of Ceremonial Umbrellas is the exclusive of the Royal courts/palace, and honorary community chiefs. 


Private individuals CANNOT own Ceremonial Umbrellas but Professional Cultural Troupes CAN with permission from community Chief make prototype for use during cultural performances.





This lesson is very important because of the Africussion Percussion Discussion group, an independent performing arts group at The Smith Center.  The group  is one of the leading School Assembly Performing companies for Southern Nevada's Area Schools and is playing an important role in exposing the community to Ghanaian Ceremonial Music, Dance and Ceremonial Cultural Expressions.  The Lesson throws more light on many of the props and paraphernalia used during performances.

The Ceremonial Umbrellas for the Chiefs are ordered and designed to reflect the rank and status of the chief using it.  There are certain classifications for the Umbrellas.


In order of Importance, the lowest Chief to have an Umbrella is the HONORARY CHIEF who is normally called NKOSUOHENE ( Development Chief).  Any benevolent good person can be nominated and be honored by a community or a family.   When the NKOSUOHENE( Male), NKOSUOHEMAA ( Female) can afford, they make the umbrella to show their new status.


The Nkosuohene and other lower Honorary Chieftaincy titles such as MBRANTEHENE ( King of the Youth) or NKATASIAHEMAA ( Queen of  Female Youths), AFUTUOHENE/HEMAA ( King and Queenmother of WISDOM- Social Worker Role), are all contemporary additions to the ancient Chieftaincy institution in Ghana.




The next in rank are the Family Chiefs ( EBUSUA BAATAN- Male or EBUSUAHEMAA -Female).
If they can afford to make ceremonial umbrella it has to reflect their status.
Next in rank is the Odikro ( Chiefs of small towns) and above them are the BENKUM, NYIMFA and other divisional chief.
The highest Chief is the Paramount Chief who oversees a Traditional Area.


The King of all Chiefs in the Akan Chieftaincy institutions are the ASANTEHENE, OKYEHENE, DENKYIRAHENE, AKWAMUHENE,BORBOR FANTSEHENE among others.
In Ghana the most popular Paramount  Chief is the Asantehene Otumfour Osei Tutu II.




VIDEO IMPRESSIONS


1946 VIDEO OF A STATE VISIT OF AN INTERNATIONAL DIGNITARY AND THE USE OF UMBRELLA TO HONOR THE VISIT







JUABEN FESTIVAL AND THE MANY COLORS OF UMBRELLAS

SPECIAL EVENTS AND THE USE OF SPECIAL UMBRELLAS
THE KING OF ASHANTI KINGDOM'S 10 YEAR ENSTOOLMENT ANNIVERSARY- 

ASANTEHENE OTUMFOUR OSEI TUTU II AND OTHER KINGS AT THE DURBAR


WHEN THE KING WAS ARRIVING


NATIONAL EVENTS AND THE USE OF UMBRELLA





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