Aflao Marks Eclipse With Jubilation

Aflao, March 29, GNA - The people of Aflao on Wednesday welcomed the eclipse of the sun with jubilation and pleasure. Led by Togbe Sogbolisa Amenya Fiti V, Paramount Chief of the Aflao Traditional Area, they slaughtered a ram to mark the occurrence of the event.

The curtains leading to the main shrine were changed from black to white after the eclipse to signify the transition from the "old generation" to the "new generation".

Nine gunshots were fired to indicate the coming of the "new generation" which also coincided with the celebration of the ninth year of Togbe Fiti's enstoolment.

Togbe Fiti said it had always been the tradition of the people to mark the ninth year of every chief who ascends the throne with a durbar. Togbe Fiti recounted that in 1947 Togbe Fiti III, then paramount chief of the area, marked his ninth year on the stool with the occurrence of the eclipse and that he was happy to mark his ninth year today which has also coincided with the eclipse. He said in 1947 one of the gods of the traditional area appeared in the form of light and was therefore named after the eclipse as "zadokeli". Togbe Fiti said other rituals including the pouring of libation would continue until the seventh day.

He asked his people to turn a new leaf in the "new generation" so as to attract many blessings that might come with the Eclipse.