The final funeral rites of late Tolon Naa Alhassan Sulemana III were performed in a peaceful and festive atmosphere in Tolon on Thursday. The spectacular traditional event was characterized by a display of the rich culture and customs of the Dagbon people in Tolon.
Immaculately dressed in their colorful smocks of varied designs and sizes, the ecstatic mourners danced to the melodious beats of the ‘gong, gong’ and ‘goonje’ strings, amid the firing of muskets.
The climax of events was the circumambulation of the Tolon chief palace that was duly carried out by Regent of Tolon Rt. Major Sulemana Abubakari in his fortified designed smock, with his uniquely crafted hat (Bu-gu) to match.
The Regent, along with the eldest daughter of Tolon Naa Sulemana, Pakpang, and other siblings were escorted by some of the elders of Tolon traditional area, and other subchiefs on their immaculate horses to provide spiritual protection.
A willing and milling crowd of family, friends and other sympathizers followed them round the palace three times.
Spiritual performance
Before the commencement of the final funeral rites, however, some rituals, such as the slaughtering of a horse, a dog, cow and other such animals, were performed to pacify the gods.
Dignitaries
Among the many dignitaries who witnessed the funeral rites were the Northern Regional Minister Salifu Saeed led the delegation include chief executive officer of Tamale Metropolitan Assembly, Iddrisu Musah Superior, the DCE of Tolon Hon Yakubu Barikisu, the northern regional chairman of NPP Alhaji Mohammed Bantima Samba, and other party executives, and government functionaries.
Also present were Member of Parliament for Tamale South Lawyer Haruna Iddrisu who double as Minority Leader in Parliament, the Northern Regional Police Command, the Northern Regional Army Commander, various political party representatives, chiefs and religious leaders.
Final event
The entire funeral rites brought to finality on (Friday, March 22, 2019) with more sacrifices and a special prayer by Muslim clerics at the temporary palace for the soul of the deceased Tolon Naa and his predecessors and for peace in Dagbon and Ghana as a whole.
It was observed by the Regent of Tolon and his siblings, chiefs, customary dignitaries and also include Minister of State Abubakari Sadique Boniface, royal family members, Muslim clerics, tom-tom beaters among others.
Road map
In line with the roadmap to peace in Dagbon, as agreed upon together with the three of Eminent Chiefs, whose efforts together with government saw to the return of peace to the area, all the outstanding funerals of chiefs in the Dagbon kingdom which are outstanding are to be performed quickly to ensure total peace in Dagbon.
Source: Alhassan Yakubu/diamondfmonline.com/Ghana