Ban on drumming lifted in Tema

Tema Manhean (Greater Accra), 31st May 99-

The Tema Traditional Council on Saturday lifted the ban on drumming and noise making, imposed in the traditional area three weeks ago.

Rites were performed at the Sakumo and Chaade shrines before the lifting of the ban.

The Paramount Chief Nii Adjei Kraku II was the first person to beat a drum.

The ban imposed from May seven to 29 was meant to create a quiet environment for meditation and sober reflection on the successes and failures of the people and to plan for the future.

In an address Nii Adjei Kraku thanked all residents and churches in the Tema Municipality for their co-operation during the period of the ban.

He said he was also happy there was no nasty incident between the traditional authorities and the churches or residents, in unlike some parts of Accra, where certain churches invited the wrath of the landlords.

Nii Adjei Kraku explained that the ban was imposed after a meeting with representatives of 35 churches at his palace, during which the churches agreed to observe the ban.

In Tema the ban is normally imposed three weeks after the celebration of the annual Kpledjoo festival and three months to the annual Homowo festival.

During the period playing of musical instruments, whistling or weeping are not allowed, while the dead is buried without elaborate funeral.

GRi?/