Yendi: Yaa Naa Yakubu Andani Funeral Begins Today

Elders of the Andani Royal Family will commence the funeral of the late Yaa-Naa Yakubu Andani II on 4^th January, 2019, in Yendi in the Northern Region. The Andani Family has declared 4^{th –} 18^th January, 2019, a period of mourning for the late overlord, Yaa-Naa Yakubu Andani II in Yendi.

According to the Elders of the Andani Family, the kingmakers comprising Kuga Naa, Tuguri Nam, Gomle and Kpati Naa will select a new Yaa-Naa on Friday night – 19^th January, 2019 – the day the funeral rites of Naa Yakubu II will be concluded.

The Elders of the Andani Family indicated that the new Yaa-Naa would as soon as possible, in accordance with the roadmap, endorse the regents of Yaa-Naa Mahamadu Abudulai IV and Naa Yakubu Andani II as chiefs.

The Abudu Family led by the Regent of Diare, Abukari Abdulai handed over the keys of the Gbewaa Palace to the Yendi Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Alhaji Hamed Abubakar Yussif, at the conclusion of the funeral.

The Abudus were given access to the Gbewaa Palace from December 14 – 28, 2018, to perform the final funeral rites of the late Yaa-Naa Mahamadu Abdulai IV, according to their customs and traditions.

It was however agreed that after the funeral of the late Yaa-Naa Mahamadu Abdulai, the Abudus would leave the Gbewaa Palace peacefully to enable the Andanis also to take their turn at the palace to organize the funeral rites of the late Yaa-Naa Yakubu Andani from 4th – 8th January, 2019.

Today hairs of the sons and daughters of the late Yaa-Naa Yakubu Andani II will be shaved including that of the Regent of Dagbon, Kampakuya Naa Yakubu Andani.

Some Andani Family members and sympathizers are expected to troop to Yendi to witness the funeral.

Mr. Nas Abdulai, Chairman of the Andani Youth Association, has called on the media to be mindful of their reportage on the funeral.

“We appeal to the media to report accurately and not the kind of misreports that have characterized the media space lately,” he said.

He assured the media that there would be enough security on the grounds to protect them and also make sure they go about their duties smoothly.

Abudus Climax Funeral

The Abudu Royal Family had completed the funeral of Naa Mahamadu Abdulai at the Gbewaa Palace.

The late overlord of Dagbon died on October 15, 1988.

He had 15 wives and 14 children with the Bolin-Lana being the first-surviving son.

A powerful delegation representing the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, graced the final funeral rites of the late Yaa-Naa Mahamadu Abdulai.

The delegation led by Nana Baffour Asabere Kugyawoaso Ababio III paid a courtesy call on the Abudu Regent, Bolin-Lana Mahamadu Abdulai at the Gbewaa Palace.

Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia with the Northern Regional Minister, Salifu Saeed, and other government delegation were in Yendi for the funeral.

The Abudu Family performed various rituals during the two-week duration given by the Committee of Eminent Chiefs led by Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.

They performed a ritual known as 'Logri Bobbu' and the regent of the Abudu Family rode a horse around the sacred house (Katini Duu) some number of times to signify that he was performing his father’s funeral.

The funeral was climaxed with an Islamic ceremony at the Gbewaa Palace in Yendi.

Source: Daily Guide