Believed to be a reincarnation of Yoomo Ayemuede of blessed memory some 300 years ago, 12-year-old Naa Yoomo Ayemuede has in the last 6 years been the backbone of the ‘Homowo’ festival celebrated by the people of Nungua.
Her diligence and purity as a virgin, makes her the only qualified person to assist the Chief Priest, the Gborbu Wulomo to perform critical duties to the 99 deities of the land.
It was a grand ceremony held to introduce a 12-year-old girl to her royal duties with the Ga-dangbe state’s overlord, the Gborbu Wulomo.
The customary marriage between Naa Yoomo Ayemuede and 63-year-old Nuumo Borketey Laweh Tsuru XXXIII (the 33rd), has sparked controversy on social media, raising concerns about child’s rights.
The office of the overlord of Ga-Dangbe state noted that the traditional rite is for religious purposes, and the girl will not perform any conjugal rights to the spiritual head.
According to Nungua Mankralo Tetse Nii Bortey kofi frankwa the celebrant, representing purity, has been helping the chief priest attend to the 99 deities for the past 6 years.
This woman sitting next to me is the 2nd stool wife to the Gborbu Wulomo. She is over 90yrs. Are they saying the Wulomo will engage in what they are concerned about (sex) with her? It’s merely for traditional purposes and Naa Yoomo Ayemuede is no different. The role she plays is mainly required of a virgin.”
He further clarified that none of her child rights have been violated.
“Her rights have never been violated. there are children whose rites are performed on them immediately at birth and others even in the womb because they are future queens, kings and priests and priestesses. Have their rites been infringed upon?” he quizzed.
Naa Yoomo Ayemuede, has been in the care of older women known as Godmothers for six years, preparing her for adulthood as a queen.
Aawon fifiankon Opobi, one of the Godmothers explained that the traditional rites have never interfered with her academics.
Aawon said “She was in school all week until the weekend when the rites were performed. And she will return to school. We already asked permission from the school. She’s a queen.”
The public is still upset about the significance of the tradition, despite the fact that some Nungua residents deem it harmless.
One resident, madam Julie who shared her opinion said “it’s a tradition and it must be preserved. There’s nothing wrong with it”.
A Senior Lecturer at the Department of Sociology, University of Ghana, Dr Samson Obed Appiah believes that society is dynamic and cultural practices must evolve in line with current trends.
“I heard what the Wulomo said that the girl will not perform conjugal rights to the chief priest, but society is evolving and so in as much as these cultures and traditions have been with the people for long, they must find a way to revolve around the current laws of the country. At what age did the law say a girl can get married?” He noted.
Sarah Apenkroh editors.3news.com
