chieftaincy

The Sisaala paramount chief’s representative giving remarks

In Ghana, one necessary accessory of a king or paramount chief is an umbrella. Someone carries it for the king or chief. The Ashanti King, and even his representative, has his umbrella over him at all times, even inside a building (although not at his own palace).

So when the representative of the Sisaala Paramount Chief spoke at the dedication of the Sisaala Bible, the Master of Ceremonies was shocked to find that they had not provided an umbrella. (Although most chiefs bring their own.) So he immediately asked someone to go get an umbrella. Within a minute one appeared, but it was quite small. A couple minutes after that, a larger umbrella appeared. At first, the MC held it, but he was quickly relieved by a young man who volunteered.

One of the things I like about Ghana is their attachment to the parts of their traditions they find valuable.

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Chiefs in procession – Photo Joseph Gyebi

The Sisaala paramount chief’s representative giving remarks

The chief of Kete-Krachi wit his entourage

The representative of the Ashanti King, in Kumasi

“Stools and skins”. When I first saw these words in Ghana I was confused and a bit shocked. I had no idea what they meant. My cross-cultural training took over. In that training we learned to suspend judgment, do research, and try to understand from the other’s perspective. So, I talked to people, read documents and did internet searches. I found the rich cultural and political reality of traditional chiefs in Ghana. In the southern part of the country, the symbol of the chief’s authority is his stool – just like a king’s throne in Europe. It can be very ornate, one is even made of gold. In the more northern regions, the symbol of the chief’s authority is the animal skin he wears. Even the constitution mentions stools and skins. For example, it speaks to “Stool and Skin Lands and Property”. So “stool” or “skin” can be used to refer to the chief or the area he rules.

A carved stool in traditional shape (for sale at http://www.anjely.com)

The system of traditional chiefs is still very much alive in Ghana. It is even written into the constitution. The symbol of the stool is found all over. For example, for those who can afford it, it is popular to have an arch over your driveway in the form of a traditional stool.

Often looking into things like this gives me general information. It is interesting and it helps me fit in. Only occasionally does it have direct, practical use. In this case, the information is so important that I would fail without it. The chiefs in Ghana are often educated and sometimes believers. Even when they are not believers, they most often support Bible translation and literacy as elements of development. They are the one’s who can mobilize people at the grassroots. Sustained use and impact of the Bibles translated into Ghana languages cannot be achieved without involving stools and skins.