How the Akans (a clan in Ghana) mourn the dead

Every country around the globe has their own way of showing last respect to a dead person or mourn them. Ghana, my beloved country also has its way of mourning the dead.

Ghana is a country with many different tribes, therefore our traditions and culture sometimes differ from each other. However, it doesn't change the fact that we see ourselves as one people with common destiny, hence we are notable of being one of the most peaceful countries in the world. Some major tribes we have in Ghana are, the Akans, Ewes, Ga's and Guans. I belong to the Akans tribe found in the southern part of Ghana in which I belong to a clan called the Ashanti's or Asante. We own the biggest football club in the country and Africa as whole because they are currently holding the club of the century in the whole Africa title called Kumasi Asante Kotoko. The club was formed in 1935. Aside the biggest club we boast of, we also boast of being having the most powerful kingdom aside Queen Elizabeth of the British Kingdom. The kingdom is called the Ashanti Kingdom and its ruled by His Majesty, the King of Kings Otumfuor Osei Tutu 2 who sits on the golden stool.*
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II

Now having known my tribe and the clan I belong to, lemme quickly take you the main motive behind this post before I digress. I will find another time to tell you more about my tribe and clan.

But today we are on funeral only. When you come to Ghana, everybody will tell you without any argument that, the Ashanti's are well known of not joking when it comes to customs and traditions. We have our way of living and that identifies us as the Ashanti. Therefore the way we dress, eat, marriage, worship, mourn the dead etc is different from the others though we live in one country.
How we (Ashanti's) mourn the dead and show our last respect is what I want the world to know.

Before the person ceases breathing

If the person dies natural death, meaning (the person falls sick and dies on his/her sick bed), there's something we do for the person before he/she depart. When the person begins to snore, and acting like leaving, anybody closer to him/her would quickly go and fetch water with a cup and give it to him/her to drink before he/she dies.

Significance

The Akans believe death is a transition from the world to join his/her ancestors. Therefore they regard it as long journey so in order not to get tired on road, they give him/her water to drink before he finally departs.

During the burial

In the olden days when fridge was not available to preserve dead bodies, Ashanti's used to cut palm leaves on the body until a date for burial is set. The body could be lasted for more than two weeks and it will still look flesh. In this modern times, they store in mortuary until a date is set for the funeral. When the date for the burial due, the family of the deceased go for the body a day before the burial and lay him/her in bed and then keep vigil till 4:00am for friends and sympathizers come and show the deceased their last respect. Church service will be made for him/her if s/he was a Christian. Henceforth, the body will be carried to cemetery for a clergy to say his last prayer for the deceased and then bid farewell to thee.

The final funeral rites

After the burial, the family finally sit down for all invited friends and sympathizers come and mourn with the family by donating money. In the olden days, Akans used to observe funerals on Thursdays and Fridays. But recently because government workers have been enormous and work on weekdays which include Thursday and Friday, they now mostly do it on Saturdays and Sundays. The family sit down on Monday for accountability and choose a successor for the late.

Mode of Dressing
Akans wear black or red cloth to funeral. However, not just any black or red cloth. We have special cloth namely; Birisi, kobene and kuntunkunu

This is how the Ashanti's among the Akans which I'm proudly among mourn the dead. I believe you enjoyed reading it.

kindly upvote, comment and resteem if you find this worthy. Than you

I am @zicodee from #teamghana