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At the home of the deceased, the coffin is placed at one end of a courtyard along with family members. The asafo company is set up beneath a canopy at the other end of the courtyard. The video clip begins with a cantor and the chorus performing an unmetered song overlaid by the drummer of the asafokyen performing in the speech mode of drumming while company members spontaneously contribute outbursts of warrior-like movements and acrobatics.
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Family members of the deceased dance to full ensemble accompaniment.
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Coffin being prepared for the soon to take place procession following the present ceremony.
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The entrance of what is perhaps the most spectacular of all Fante asafo flags–approximately 200 feet long with dozens of appliquéd vignettes each of which would be the subject matter of a typical flag–that eventually surrounds the courtyard in which the coffin rests. More family members grieve through dancing inside the space articulated by the flag.
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Following the exit of the flag, the asafo company’s frankakitsanyi (flag bearer) performs a stylized flag presentation to the accompaniment of the asafokyen and unmetered singing. The company’s linguist then explains the image appliquéd on the flag (usually a proverb or a dream) to members of the company.
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The frankakitsanyi then performs the flag presentation for the family of the deceased.
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While the full asafo ensemble performs in the background, a family member of the deceased pours libations to the ancestors.
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Officers of the company move in a line from the company’s side of the courtyard to the family’s side, and then back, as a gesture of respect.
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Coffin is lifted atop the heads of the four men
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who will transport the body first to the post of Asafo Company No. 6, which is decorated with numerous company flags, and then on to the Catholic church for a service. The burial takes place later the same day.