Accra, Aug. 19- GNA – In the early hours of Saturday morning, the streets of Ga Mashie buzzed with anticipation. The echoes of drums and the chants of the faithful filled the air, as King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, Ga Mantse and President of the Ga Traditional Council, prepared to embark on one of the most sacred rites in the Ga calendar-the journey to Mantseman for the annual Ma’amɛn celebration.
The Ma’amɛn ceremony, an ancient tradition, is a poignant reminder of the unbroken link between the Ga people and their ancestors. Held every year after the grand Homowo festival, the event is steeped in reverence, honouring the spirits of Ga kings who have passed on, yet continue to guide their people from the spiritual realm.
The beginning of Ma’amɛn Ceremony
As the sun began to rise, casting a golden hue over the city, King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, adorned in resplendent traditional regalia, led his entourage through the historic streets of Ga Mashie. The six-mile journey, a significant act of devotion, took the procession from Ga Kinka to the sacred grounds of Tɛsaanɔ, located in the area known as Shiayɛŋnɔ-today’s Apɛnkwa and Abeka.
Tɛsaanɔ, or Mantseman as it is affectionately known, is a place of deep spiritual significance. It is here, within the royal mausoleum, that some of the most illustrious Ga royals, including the revered Nii Tackie Tawiah II, find their final resting place. These hallowed grounds are not merely a burial site; they are a sanctuary where the past and present converge, where the living seek the counsel of their forebears.
The Possession Journey
The procession was a remarkable sight-a living tapestry of Ga culture and tradition. The rhythmic beat of the Obonu drums, the vibrant colors of the traditional cloth, and the palpable sense of purpose all contributed to the profound atmosphere. The journey to Mantseman is more than a ritual; it is a pilgrimage, a sacred duty undertaken by the Ga Mantse to honor his predecessors.
Upon reaching Mantseman, King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II and his entourage paused before the royal mausoleum. Here, the Ga Mantse performed the solemn rite of feeding the ancestors, a ritual passed down through generations.
In a deeply symbolic gesture, he sprinkled the traditional festal meal of palm soup and kpokpoi-steamed corn dough mixed with palm oil-on the tombs of the departed kings. The act is more than a mere offering; it is a spiritual communion, a way to ensure that the ancestors are well-fed and content in the afterlife.
As the final grains of kpokpoi fell upon the tombs, the Ga Mantse lifted a calabash of gin, pouring the libation with a prayer that the ancestors might continue to protect and guide the Ga people.
The solemnity of the moment was heightened by the rhythmic drumming and the soft, haunting notes of the horn—a call to the spirits to accept the offerings and bestow their blessings upon the living.
With the rites at Mantseman complete, the procession continued southward, towards Akpade bu. Here lies another sacred tomb-the resting place of King Tackie Tawiah I, a visionary leader whose reign from 1892 to 1902 left an indelible mark on the history of Accra. Under his guidance, the city flourished, transforming into the bustling capital we know today.
The Tomb of the King
At the tomb of King Tackie Tawiah I, King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II repeated the sacred ritual of feeding the ancestors, offering libation and prayers for continued guidance and protection. The procession then moved through the historic heart of Accra-past the Central Business District, the General Post Office, and the Salaga Market-culminating at the statue of King Tackie Tawiah I near the Makola Market. Here, amidst the firing of muskets and the rhythmic drumming, the Ga Mantse paid homage to the great king, sprinkling kpokpoi around the statue as a final act of reverence.
The journey concluded at the Ga Mantse Stool House, where the leaders of the Ga State performed the final purification rites. This act of cleansing, known as Jwalamo, marks the end of the Ma’amɛn ceremony-a powerful reminder of the cyclical nature of life and the enduring connection between the Ga people and their ancestors.
The fall of the ceremony
As the day drew to a close, the Ga Mantse’s journey to Mantseman had not only fulfilled an ancient duty but had also reaffirmed the cultural identity and spiritual heritage of the Ga people. It was a journey of honor, respect, and deep spirituality-a testament to the unbroken bond between the living and those who have passed beyond the veil.
In an era of rapid change and modernization, the Ma’amɛn celebration stands as a beacon of tradition, a reminder that no matter how far we advance, our roots remain our guiding force. King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II’s pilgrimage to Mantseman is a story of reverence, a journey of faith, and a celebration of the enduring spirit of the Ga people.
GNA