(http://independentgh.com/local-news/find-alternative-to-aboakyer-festival)
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| A deer on the shoulders of one Asafo mmember |
According to them, this was the first time they have heard and seen the Tuafo and Dentsefo warriors not having any catch for the Paramount Chief to step on to signify it acceptance by the gods.
The Independent gathered that even though there was no clasp of deer from the Winneba forest this year, the chiefs quickly slaughtered a brown sheep to replace the deer which, according to sources, has been accepted by the gods of Winneba.
Although the deer has been the pivot around which the Aboakyer festival was celebrated, residents thought it was time for traditional rulers in the area to rescind their decision since the forest was fast
depleting.
A resident of Winneba who spoke to the paper on condition of anonymity said it was so disturbing and disgracing for no catch this year, adding that the cause would be the entrance of hunters who hunt for live animals in the thick forest daily.
He added that the unfortunate happened because people have began building closer and closer to the forest; an unfortunate situation.
He therefore appealed to the chiefs to either consult their gods earlier to know whether there would be a catch or find an alternative to prevent any embarrassment in subsequent years.
In an exclusive interview with the head of Otuano Royal Family of Winneba, Neenyi Bondzie, who seemed unhappy, revealed that since there was no deer catch on the festival day, the leaders quickly consulted their god, ‘Denkyi Otu,’ who gave them the alternative to replace the deer with the sheep which was slaughtered on Sunday.
“The Otuano Royal house is the most affected in this situation and we have no option than to consult our god for an alternative to appease him - which it did. Therefore we slaughtered the alternative to settle him on Sunday.” he said.
Neenyi Bondzie categorically stated that the only alternative for a successful catch was to settle any disputes among them.
He stated that a major factor which contributed to the no clasp was due to the encroachments of people to the forest, adding that since these animals hated the presence of humans closer to them they have no option than to move away from the forest.
Neenyi Bondzie noted that spiritual factors also contributed to the unfortunate which characterised the festival, stating that, it became very difficult to allow the respective leader to step on the deer as done years back since all heads wanted to step on it.
“I don’t know whether it was power that they wanted or something else. Those difficulties led to the dismay this year. This Paramount Chief steps on the deer and not anyone else. If any chief wants to step on it, it must be in consultation with the royal family and not by the use of force” he added.
Neenyi Bondzie further revealed that to resolve the issues surrounding the Aboakyer festival for a perfect one next year, there was the need for settlement of internal and external issues with the
traditional area.
Internally, Neenyi Bondzie noted that there were serious tides within the family and needed urgent remedies to resolve them.
He also called on stakeholders to come to their aid and support them in settling the problems at hand once and for all.
He added that without the truth and the truth being understood and told to the masses, the problems Winneba faced would persist for a long time.
“People of Winneba are Guans and not Akan’s. We are different people altogether. We speak a different language. The Guans are the founders of Winneba and succeed the patrilineal lineage not the Akan’s matrilineal lineage” he stated.
“Once the truth is told to the younger generation, I tell you, the issues in Winneba would be settled and there will be no more issues in the years yet unborn” he added.
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