YENDI, Ghana (AP) -- It was terrible enough that the beloved king was murdered and his head paraded on a spear, causing his 32 widows to cry at the mere mention of his name. Or that more than two years later, his headless body still languishes in a tiny hospital morgue. The brutal family feud that killed the King of Dagbon caused its share of havoc across the dust-blown fields of this northern Ghana kingdom. But family members say it's nothing compared to the violence threatening to erupt once the king is finally buried, in months to come -- launching a war of succession that's already looming.
| Sounds like the background setting for a really bad novel... |
For centuries, the Abudu and Andani clans -- named after two sons of the ancient Dagbon king -- cordially rotated control of the kingdom, centered in Yendi, 530 kilometers (330 miles) north of Accra, the West African nation's capital. The 1,300-square kilometer (800-square mile) area of Dagbon is one of eight traditional kingdoms in Ghana, the largest with nearly 1 million people and dates back 600 years. A 30-year-old power struggle between the clans ignited in March 2002, when Abudu warriors dressed in battle regalia stormed the Andani palace and slaughtered the king, Ya-Na Yakubu, and 30 of his elders.
| This incident, I believe, figured large in the second Ace Ventura movie... |
The sacred Dagbon palace -- two dozen mud huts inside a walled compound -- was raked with bullets and burned to the ground.
| If you're gonna do something, do it right! |
Andani elders say the king's body can be buried when a nearly rebuilt new palace is complete, with a pavilion for the slain ruler to lie in state. They will then name a successor -- most likely a son. But the Abudu contend that since the king is dead -- never mind how he died -- it's their turn to appoint his successor.
| That's got to be right up there with the Menendez brothers asking for sympathy because they are orphans |
That would likely be Mahamadu Abdulai, the 20-year-old Abudu chief from Yendi, who, residents say, was taken out of school and given three wives and a cadre of elders, who pamper him for majesty. One afternoon at the Abudu compound, the young chief sat sullenly in green shiny slippers and refused to speak, allowing one of his elders to explain the effect the feud could have on this otherwise peaceful country. "It is the Abudu's turn to take control of Dagbon," said Alhassan Iddrisu, who like his chief wore the traditional headwraps indicating a king has fallen. "Or there could be trouble."
"Without a strong king, why, anything could happen! For instance, what if someone tried to steal the Eye of Kapoopki?"
"The Eye of Kapoopki?"
"Yes. You know. The 14-pound ruby that's embedded in our idol."
"Oh, yes. That one." |
Kings and chiefs have autonomy over their areas, but many are finding it hard to keep the influence of modern politics at bay. Iddrisu explained that his clan has been bitter since 1974, when the now-late king took power after an Abudu king was ousted in disputed circumstances. Confidence runs high among the Abudu that the next reign will be theirs -- a hope bolstered, residents say, by the Abudu's magical juju power, still feared across West Africa.
| "So long as we control the Eye of Kapoopki we retain our strong juju! None can stand against us!" |
Outside the Abudu chief's chamber, a large stone lay covered in chicken blood and feathers. The young chief yawned from the afternoon heat and swatted at flies. "When the Ya-Na is chosen," Idrissu said, "drums will sound across the land."
| "The Eye of Kapoopki will begin to glow eerily..." |
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