GRi Arts & Culture 05 – 02 - 2003

Use of special cloth for funeral banned

Kokofu (Ashanti Region) 05 February 2003- The Kokofu Traditional Council has banned the use of special clothes at funeral celebration in the traditional area. It has also banned the presentation of "Adesiedee" (parting gifts) to the dead body when lying in state.

These were contained in a statement issued at a meeting of the council presided over by Barima Offe Akwasi Okogyeasuo II, Paramount Chief of the Kokofu Traditional Area, on Monday.

The council also called for an end to the serving of "take away" foods and alcoholic drinks at the funeral grounds. ''No other day concerning the celebration of the death should be celebrated in the area apart from the one-week and the days for the funeral celebrations.''

The statement said as a way to cut down on the funeral expenses in the area a coffin or a casket should not be more than one million cedis. "Playing of sound system or drumming after 18 hours at the funeral grounds is banned," the statement said.

The council called on chiefs, sub-chiefs and committees to enforce the ban, saying any group of persons or individual who contravened the ban shall be guilty of the "Fiada Dwoada" oath which will attract a fine of six live sheep and other customary rites to be decided by the council.

It reminded the people that the ban on invoking curse was still in force and said offenders should first be reported to the paramount chief for settlement. Barima Offe Akwasi Okogyeasuo called on the chiefs to re-double their efforts to instil discipline in their areas and improve the living standards of the people.

He said many people and organisations outside the area are prepared to help in its development and therefore stressed the need for co-operation between the citizens and such organisations.

GRi.../

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