First off – Baby Ray book series (see the post The Life of Ray) is in full swing. Look out for our kickstarter page! My fellow scholar Stephaine and I (www.mariposabutterfly.wordpress.com) are helping him pen his autobiography as we speak!
Today, one of our many visitors…and the most important one…was one of the chiefs of Kintampo – Nana. I don’t think that’s his real name…do you know any guys named Nana? He was a friendly older gentleman…dressed in a bright orange Canada shirt. I wasn’t expecting a more traditional African outfit, but chiefs can dress however they please. He talked about the history of Kintampo, and how his main job is settling disputes. For instance, if someone stole my goat and I didn’t want to go to the police I would go to the chief…and if after we talked it out we had a really great handshake…it would mean everything was settled. I accidentally harped on the fact that there are multiple chiefs in Kintampo, so and how did he deal with not being the only one in power? Well…mistake, you shouldn’t ask a chief what its like to have his ultimate power threatened.
I got a talking to by Dr. Damian after the meeting…but now I know never to question things like that. A boss is a boss in Ghana. But I don’t think its my fault for being confused! Ghana has an intricate power system with kings, paramount chiefs, sub chiefs etc. that I don’t fully understand. And technically being a chief is not a political position, so the government of Ghana has even more division and subsections…it’s dizzying. Or maybe it’s just the pito (aka fermented corn) that is making my head spin.
3 more days in Kintampo hospital. Then its bye to Baby Ray L.
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