3 2 1 Action - Shelly Telly's crew in Action

A few years ago I had the privilege of helping Shelly Telly and Wendy on there visit to Ghana. They ran a great project with 6 students from Dabala Secondary Technical School and also one of the local Junior Secondary Schools. The projects taught these students to use still and video cameras in order to create a mini documentary on the people of Agave for the Agave Development Association. It was a really great project and I loved the way that Shelly and Wendy interacted with the kids and i remember them really loving every moment of the projects.

We had Martin, (the International Super star) Prince, (A young genius) who I saw recently and has decided he wants to do Medicine and Emilia who was a superb interviewer and went on to make money from filming funerals!

Now the reason I mention this now is because at the funeral I bumped into the DASTECH crew filming the whole event. I was so proud of the new crew and can not wait to see their pictures. The following pictures are of the crew.

The New Crew members with their Teacher! 

The crew! 

Me and the Crew

Remember this one Shelly?

Finally  little message to Wendy. Congratulations on your new arrival! I am so happy for you! Can not wait to meet the little one!!

Togbega funeral! Part 2

So the day of the funeral, after waking up (woken by the cannon!) and having breakfast I managed to catch a shower (bucket shower..cold water!) at Mummy Evelyns house. After feeling refreshed I put on my funeral shirt and headed out on my way to the palace and the funeral grounds.

I now know what it feels like to turn up wearing the same clothing as someone else!

I met with Gifty (from the previous blog) and we joined the queue to go and see Togbega laying in state. Of course I had been in the building all night and could see his bed, but I had not actually gone to see him. We gave a little donation and after a wait we finally moved inside. First the wife and children were there to greet everyone. I noticed straight away that the young son (about 15) had great poise and demeanor for a young man at his fathers funeral. The two sisters (both beautiful) were next to him clearly struggling with such a hard occasion. Throughout the whole ceremony the whole family showed themselves in such a good light. I have an awful lot of respect for all of them.

Romeo leading in Rawlings!

A few of the invited guests started trickling in. Jerry John Rawlings, former President of Ghana, came very early. I was really impressed with the way he walked in and offered respect to all the traditional leaders surrounding the area. Then in followed the current MP of the area and District Chief Executive as well as a few interesting faces with them! (politics is very interesting. You can always see the people that only want to be close to people for their own pockets following around certain political figures!(it is always the same snakes!) It is really unfortunate I can not mention names here and discuss some of the "things" that they have been up to and the disloyalties aired in public!

The Drummers! The played everyone in

Anyway, I seem to have gone of the topic here quite drastically. The funeral was largely speech based with chiefs and dignitaries all trouping in to greet the family and take their seats. I must say the organising committee did an excellent job in arranging such a massive event. I think roughly 5000 people turned up form all over the region and in form other parts of the Accra and even from overseas. The car with Togbegah in was in the middle of the big square. I managed to get myself a seat with

the planning committee and sat down to relax in the shade (still hot!) and listen to what was to be said and watch the traditional dancing. (mixed with a little humour) At one point a man in a light grey suit (looking like he was coming from the financial district came out into the middle of one of the shows with a newspaper and started reading it! I am not sure whether he was part of the fun or a little bit mixed up!

The Hearse 

This is the talking drum. This guy would talk to each different chief coming in and welcome them with his drum. The other drummer for the chief would reply.

These girls are the Chiefs Mourners. They walk round slowly draped in beads and with solemn faces. It is really interesting to see and they really are emotive! 

I took to picture of this lovely lady. The first one she stood to attention like a stern army officer. I asked her to smile but she pointed out her lack of teeth could make it a problem. This is as good a smile I could get out of her. She was nice though. (and maybe a little Drunk!) 

The Financial District cultural dancing gatecrasher!

This lady apparently attends all the big funerals. She wonders round with a massive shot gun and with one arm (and a lot of attitude) shoots it into the air. She made me jump out of my skin about 100 times that day! (It was a really big shot gun!)

So after all was finished we all went back to the house of the wife of Togbegah. She had prepared food and entertainment for everyone. the food was great and I had a couple of beers to. It was a really nice wa to unwind and catch up with people from my previous years in Dabala. Its was really nice to see some of my former students and other guys I knew around the town. They always make me feel so welcome and I must admit its been great to see these guys grow and progress. People I taught are now becoming teachers themselves! (kinda weird)

The day of the wake! Togbega's funeral 1

Today I woke up next door to a dead person. Infact I could see the bed he was lying in from my sleeping position! After being woken up by the gunshots, drumming and women mourning i made my way outside. The place i was staying was built specially to house the dead chief Togbega. He has been dead two years now and finally it is time for him to be sent to the other side to be with the Ancestors.

As I made may way out of my air conditioner sleeping place I see people busy tidying up the area after last nights wake keeping. There was either a live band or loud dancing music to follow. I took part on both as much I could!

Everyone around is adorned in red! This gives some the chance to wear their Manchester united shirts whilst others buy either a togbega t shirt or the special cloth. (which I'm wearing in the form of a shirt as I type this) those who can not afford still join in by wearing anything read they can find. Scalves, football bibs and old tshirts, all in red, are everywhere!

You may wonder how I end up sleeping in the building built to house the dead chief whilst he lays in state, that will follow shortly!

Togbega was the paramount Chief of Agave Traditional State and had ruled from 1992 until 2009 and his untimely death at the age of 55. Togbega was someone I respected very much and was fortunate enough to have the chance to speak to at great length. As well as interviewing him for my thesis I also went to him in his traditional role in order to ask his advice on a project I was managing in a local village. Of course the advice was so good and I can certainly credit him with te success of the project. His words were always humbly accepted!

Now I am waiting for some breakfast at Evelyns (a friend and mother from long ago) The breakfast is kind of strange but quite refreshing after being woken up by a cannon!

My tea, sugar bread, Carrots and cucumber!

Mummy Evelyn and Giftee! My political family

(Please forgive me for now going to past tense!! I am no longer at the funeral!)


On Friday evening I made the journey to Dabala in the Volta region to keep wake at togbega's funeral.
Unfortunately, due to work constraints (bloody work!) I could not attend the start of the funeral from Tuesday, but I was determined to keep wake on Friday night. I got there, changed into my funeral wear ate some Banku and then headed to the palace to watch the big screen where they were showing videos from throughout Togbega's reign. Was really wonderful to see the people giving so much respect for a traditional leader. The Church spends a lot of time castigating the traditional practices and I am happy that people still maintain the strength to respect traditional rulers.

During the video, I had the honour to sit with and talk with some of the late chiefs family. In fact, as you can see I became quite close with his older sister who swiftly proposed to me! (Of course I accepted! Would be rude not to right?!) And that was when they insisted that I sleep in the building specially built to house Togbega as he lay in State.  They were worried as to where i would sleep and made me promise to come to the airconditioned room with the family  if I don't have anywhere. It was extremely lovely of them and I appreciated the few hours of cool sleep i got.

Anyway, after the video, I went out to the mini street party that was happening. I danced and drunk with the locals for sometime, watched the live band at the palace and then decided that it was about time I lay my head down. Now we have come full circle to where I started the post! I will continue saturdays events in the next post.

Downsboy

Offering theif. Crediting his account