As some of you know, my supervisor for the semester is Kontihene, the second in command chief here in Patriensa. The Patriensahene (main Chief) does not live here so a good portion of the work falls to Kontihene. Yesterday I learned a lot about the work he does here for the community.
On a trip back from Kumasi I asked him to tell me how he became enstooled (this is the term for Chieftaincy because they sit on stools in court). He told me his enstoolment happened just over two years ago. His uncle was the Kontihene before him. When he passed there were six members of his family considered for the position and he was voted in with four of six votes from his elders.
He told me how the chief's court is selected and where it originated in a way that made sense like it had not before. He said centuries ago the family came together to rule the community. The members of the family each took a role as to each play a part. One sibling the chief, one the Kontihene, one the Queen Mother, etc... It is from this lineage that the selections continue to happen to this day.
He said of all of the other men considered, he was the only one living in Patriensa. He said he was also a humble man in the mix. All of the other candidates were out in Ghana, educated and successful in their careers.
He told me how he takes seriously his responsibilities as Kontihene. He is tasked with helping his community. He is also to be fair and just. He has the position until he passes or until he does something that the people not agree with and throw him from his post. He stressed the importantance of making good and honest decisions, not veering from what is right and not taking bribes. He said, "respect yourself and others will be forced to respect you as well." How insightful!
On Friday afternoon I made my way to the palace to observe Kontihene preside over court. In Ghana, the traditional culture of Chieftaincy is still strong in some regions. This culture of social order is respected by the community and recognized by the government. The primary cases seen before the court are disagreements between members of the community.
The palace is a structure with two open areas surrounded by many rooms. You walk through the doors of this aged building colored a dingy white with a rusted tin roof. In the first open air space there are people sitting in chairs discussing something and glancing at the white man walking through their midst. I speak with the court assistant and he walks me into the second open air space. We descended down the steps and into the court area. Kontihene recognized me and motioned for me to have a seat. He was positioned on his stool in the middle of a pink-tiled room covered by the same rusted tin roof. Surrounding the chief were the members of his court. Everyone was wrapped in ceremonial cloth.
I arrived after a case had begun. I would not understand the story until the end because everything was in Twi. I sat and watched the whole thing unfold. There were two people before Kontihene. A middle-aged man and a young lady. Seated near me and in the back of the room were community members. I watched quietly as the scene moved forward and yet had no understanding of the content.
The court directed questions to each of the individuals. They then called in witnesses who were asked to give support to each of their stories. When the witness came in the would ask them which individual they were testifying on behalf. They then raised both hands to the sky and took a spiritual oath of some kind before they were able to continue. Each person was also paid for their testimony.
When the Kontihene and the court had asked questions from all parties they asked everyone to leave the room. I was permitted to stay and watch the deliberation. They conversed about the case and selected their verdict and judgement award for the winner.
Then they called back in the two individuals and community members. A man from the court walked up to the young girl and poured powder on the back of her neck. The white powder was of distinct contrast to her dark skin. I sat their staring at this symbol of something that I could not decipher from my surroundings. Was this a sign of innocence or a symbol of shame and guilt? What had she done or he done? Kontihene has spoken earlier to the court that he would tell me what was going on but for now just watch and listen. The case ended and I watched her walk to a young tall man holding a child. She took the child (her child) and walked away with the remnants of this event showing on her back.
Kontihene and I then departed for me to make it back for a Skype into a class. On the ride he explained it all to me.
The man had verbally assaulted the girl in public. She is a tenant of one of his properties. During a disagreement he began shouting that she was a prostitute and was evil. They had come to court because he had shamed her in her community without any just cause. The man holding the child I had seen was her husband and father of her child. A sharply dressed young man to my side during the case was her brother and head of her family household. The court ruled in her favor and put powder on her as a sign of her innocence and victory in court.
This is not what I imagined I would observe under the guise of social justice when I entered into the program. There are so many days I wake and have to remind myself I am in Ghana, living in a rural village, and interning for the chief. What an incredible learning experience. Regardless of where my professional path takes me, the past two years of working in Patriensa will always be close to my heart.
Til then~
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