{"id":310,"date":"2016-07-19T14:22:39","date_gmt":"2016-07-19T14:22:39","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/vetter.sites.grinnell.edu\/ghana\/?p=310"},"modified":"2016-11-29T18:20:46","modified_gmt":"2016-11-29T18:20:46","slug":"funeral-for-asafo-officer-video-selection","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vetter.sites.grinnell.edu\/ghana\/uncategorized\/funeral-for-asafo-officer-video-selection\/","title":{"rendered":"Funeral for Asafo Officer Video Selection"},"content":{"rendered":"

Video Selection:<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

At the home of the deceased, the coffin is placed at one end of a courtyard along with family members. The asafo<\/i> 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<\/i> performing in the speech mode of drumming while company members spontaneously contribute outbursts of warrior-like movements and acrobatics.
\n<cross dissolve><\/span>
\nFamily members of the deceased dance to full ensemble accompaniment.
\n<fade out><\/span>
\nCoffin being prepared for the soon to take place procession following the present ceremony.
\n<cross dissolve><\/span>
\nThe entrance of what is perhaps the most spectacular of all Fante asafo<\/i> flags–approximately 200 feet long with dozens of appliqu\u00e9d 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.
\n<fade out><\/span>
\nFollowing the exit of the flag, the asafo<\/i> company\u2019s frankakitsanyi<\/i> (flag bearer) performs a stylized flag presentation to the accompaniment of the asafokyen<\/i> and unmetered singing. The company\u2019s linguist then explains the image appliqu\u00e9d on the flag (usually a proverb or a dream) to members of the company.
\n<fade out><\/span>
\nThe frankakitsanyi<\/i> then performs the flag presentation for the family of the deceased.
\n<fade out><\/span>
\nWhile the full asafo<\/i> ensemble performs in the background, a family member of the deceased pours libations to the ancestors.
\n<cross dissolve><\/span>
\nOfficers of the company move in a line\u00a0from the company\u2019s side of the courtyard to the family\u2019s side, and then back, as a gesture of respect.
\n<fade out><\/span>
\nCoffin is lifted atop the heads of the four men
\n<end of video clip><\/span>
\nwho will transport the body first to the post of Asafo<\/i> 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.<\/p>\n