Monday 23 June 2008

A Sensation In Accra. Credits:Samuel Ampah, Sweggs.

Okurotwiamansa wo sesia Kurotwiamansa is in the undergrowth;
sesia woso biribi the undergrowth shakes very much;
Kurotwiamansa Kurotwiamansa
nante bere bere walk softly softly
Ohene King
nante bere bere Walk softly, softly

Yiadom Nana a, yede akobo) gye wo taa taa. Proud Descendant of King Adarkwa Yiadom of Dwaben, hailed in his majesty, who walks to the accompaniment of bullets.

Okyekye akuro brempon a ode ne man nam. Ohene kokuroko, gu mu berebere, berebere.

Daasebre Oti Boateng I of New Juaben, walking in state to the throbbing of fontomfrom drums borne behind him. Parading infront, are some of the numerous swords of New Juaben. These, have on them, gold replicas of certain momentous events in the history of Juaben, which have been symbolically represented. Others are reflective of the benevolence of the Ruler etc.
Okurotwiamansa is the strong name for a leopard in the Twi language.


Daasebre Oti Boateng I.
Daasebre Oti Boateng I, and Nana Yaa Daani II, sitting in state during the Independence celebration in Accra, Ghana. 2007

The female ruler of New Juaben, Nana Yaa Daani II, underneath the big umbrella. Nana succeeded the venerable Nana Juaben Serwaa II of New Juaben. It will be recalled, that unfortunately, the installation of the successor to Nana Serwaa, has caused some lingering family problems in Koforidua, even to this day. In white, underneath the small umbrella, in the foreground of the picture is Nana Akosua Afrakomaa, the Adwamponhemaa.

The Retinue of the New Juabenhene in Accra. In the foreground, infront of the Ruler, are some sword and gun bearers of the traditional polity.

Nana Adaakwa Yiadom II, of New Juaben. Nana ruled on two different occasions. Nana occupied the Great Stool of New Juaben on two different occasions. He succeeded Nana Osei Hwidie, his brother, and ruled from 1936 to 1940. Then from 1945 to 1959 when he crossed the Great River. From 1940 - 45, Nana Yaw Sarpong I ( Nana Kwame Gyapong ) ruled. Nana Adaakwa Yiadom II was succeeded on the Konkori Stool by Nana Agyeman Akrase I.

In a show of fraternity, Daasebre attended the Kloyosiplem festival of the neighbouring state of Yilo Krobo.
At a ceremony to welcome President Bush to Ghana. Nana Oti Boateng I, proceeds in state. Behind him, in cloth is I believe, the Anantahene of original Juaben.

Nana Yaa Daani II, The Queen of New Juaben.

Ahoofe yopuo. A beautiful Dansinkran ( kentenkye ) hairstyle of Nana Adwamponhemaa--Nana Akosua Afrakoma--of New Juaben. Asanteman is greatly indebted to this royal lineage of Juaben, owing to a deed of one of their ancestors.
Some divisional Queens ( Ahemaa ) of New Juaben. Beneath the Umbrella is the Adahemaa of New Juaben.
Some Chiefs Of New Juaben at Ghana@50.











The Juabens Came To Kumasi.Credit: Picasa Web

Nana Oti Boateng I, New Juabenhene borne in palanquin at the Nafac celebration in Kumasi. I believe he was representing the Eastern Region of Ghana. Kudos, Nana.
He Cometh.
The Ostrich feather bearers ( kokosesefuo ) preceding the palanquin bearing the Occupant of the New Juaben Adu Ampoforo Antwi Stool. The Ruler is canopied under some big umbrellas of state.
The throbbing fontomfrom drums of New Juaben, just behind the palanquin of the Ruler of New Juaben. Following on, are some female bearers of the treasure boxes of the Ruler. After them, are some of the Atumtufuo ( Gunbearers/Guards ) of New Juaben.

Divisional Chiefs and Queens of New Juaben.
Some Drummers of New Juaben





At All Nations University

At the Congregation of the All Nations University in Koforidua, New Juaben.







President Kuffour and Nana Oti Boateng, jointly cutting the sod, at the inauguration of the All Nations University in Koforidua, capital of New Juaben / Eastern region of Ghana. After the attempts by many negative oriented personalities to kill off this project, this University has finally come to stay. Well done, people of New Juaben.





Thursday 19 June 2008

The Ruler Of New Juaben In Accra

Daasebre Oti Boateng I, The Ruler of New Juaben ( one of the two states of Juabenman ), sitting in state during a durbar in Accra. This was when Queen Elisabeth visited Ghana. Daasebre is shown here, sitting in full regalia, which is reminiscent of the days when Juaben ( Dwaben ) was at it's pinnacle of wealth, power and pomp.

Attendants of the New Juaben Stool, sitting in state with their Ruler. Shown here, are some
swordbearers ( with the custodian of the Mponponsuo Sword of New Juaben wearing the Ntakerakye---cap of eagle feathers) and some Kokosesefuo, who are bearers of ostrich feathers, known as Sohori Ntakra in Twi.

Tuesday 17 June 2008

Juaben (Dwaben) Ceremony.

Osagyefuo Otuo Serebour II, ( 1971- ), Juaben Adu Ampoforo Antwi Konkorihene, Asante Oyokohene ( Head of the Royal Oyoko Lineage of Asante ), King of Sekyere ( Osekyerehene ), Abohyen mu nini, Osagyefuo kataabaako a okotwasuo Barima. Successor to Nana Adaakwa Yiadom, Nana Osei Hwedie, Nana Akrase, Nana Akuamoa Panin of Great and Distinguished Nobility. Descendant of ancestresses Ako and Akyaa. Okyerefuo, you make Juabens very proud indeed. Mo ne yo! This picture was taken of Nana, at a ceremony in Kumasi, recently.
On the day of the Aseda ( Thanksgiving ceremony). On this day, all the newly sworn in chiefs, go to the Palace to render thanks to the joint Rulers of Juaben, Nana Juabenhene and Nana Juabenhemaa. ( both, sitting in state). Behind them, are some juvenile minstrels of the court, known as kwadwomfuo.

Newly installed chief, being congratulated by Nana Juabenhene.

Newly installed chief, being congratulated by Nana Juabenhemaa.

Nana Juabenhene and Nana Juabenhemaa at the oath swearing ceremony of a new chief in
Juaben.

Wednesday 11 June 2008

When The World Came To Juaben ( Dwaben ). Credit To Toyin Falola.

Okyerefuo Otuo Serebour II, The Juabenhene and Head of the Royal Oyoko Lineage of Asante ( Oyokohene of Asante ), Oyoko Abohyen Mu Piesie Biremponkese3, Ohene Kokroko, Asanteman Gyefuo, Okotwa asuo, Okesekeredu Akomea a okoforo Kwasampire Buo, of Great Ancestry Sitting in State. On his left, is the Juabenhemaa ( Queen of Juaben), Nana Akosua Akyaamaa III.
One of the main daises, known in Twi as Sumpie of the Juabenhene.

Nana Otuo Serebour II, THE JUABENHENE.

Osekyerehene a tena ase. Adee akye oo! Osekyerehene has sat in state.

Nana about to sit in state, escorted by the ' so me sisi ', literally, hold my waist personal attendants and guards.
Mourners, Making Their Way to the Dais.

Daasebre Cometh. Behind him is one of the Mmentia ( short horn ) blowers.

The Occupant of the Yiadom and Hwedie Great Stool, arrives at the funeral.

An Ntahera hornblower.

Nana Juabenhene's retinue arriving at the funeral grounds. Nana Juabenhemaa's retinue also follows.

One of the Ntahera set ( consisting of 7 large horns )of Juabenman. The other set has been detailed to the New Juaben Stool in Koforidua.

Some of the Divisional Chiefs of Juaben, At the Burial Ceremony.

Illustrious Son of Juaben,. Prof. Emeritus Adu Boahen

Illustrious Son of Juaben, rest in peace. Prof. Emeritus Adu Boahen.

Other Drums In The Palace.

Drummers in the Dabekesie of the Palace.

The Main Entrance, Which leads to one of the numerous 'prama' of palace. This area is often referred to as the Dabekesie.
Part of the main Palace Structure In The Background.

Ahenbronum...as the Juaben Palace grounds are known in Juaben language.
Grounds Of The Dwaben Palace.