Chief Hamza Brimah VIII yesterday received a boost to his recent turbanning as the new head of the Yoruba community when the nonagenarian Jamestown Mantse, Nii Obrempong Ababio received him at his Palace at Ngleshie Alata, Accra.
The venue was full of tradition as the talking drums’ sounded notes which saw dances from both subjects of the Mantse and his guests. The appellations which followed in both Yoruba and Ga spoke of the rich history of the two ethnic groupings.
The Jamestown Mantse traced the relationship between the Peregrino-Brimahs and his palace and said that the palace was home to both of them.
Still witty at 97, the Paramount Chief was able to attract the attention of his audience as he uttered words of wisdom in his welcome to the admiration of all. He told Chief Hamza Brimah who was supported by over 50 of his subjects on the visit to the Palace of the Mantse that “you could not have commenced the journey of your chieftaincy without embarking on this visit to my Palace. The Yorubas are our brothers and sisters especially the Peregrinos some of whom belong to this house.”
He called for love among the Yorubas who, as observed earlier by one of the sub chiefs, have been part of Accra for ages.
An annual traditional activity which touches on the historical links between the Yorubas and the people of Ngleshie Alata, the Ojor festival, is being planned and when the time is due members of both communities are expected to showcase their diverse cultures underlined by the historical links binding them.
Yesterday was indeed a busy day for the Jamestown Mantse as he simultaneously received the Sarkin Zongo from Sabon Zongo and an Ibo Chief.