The Ga’s believes that pregnancy is the beginning of every life and death is the end of life on earth. We believe in the stages/cycle of life namely; Pregnancy, Birth, Naming, Puberty, Marriage, Death and Afterlife. Transitioning from one stage to the other requires special rituals(tradition) to ensure a smooth transition which pleases the gods.
PREGNACY AND CHILD BIRTH
When a woman gets pregnant it is mandatory to let her husband be the first person to know. After which he will then takes his wife to the herbalist/priest for guidance and special herbs. The herbalist/priest was the doctor of the community, he then prepares charm bracelet or waist bead to protect the mother and the child in her womb from miscarriage or evil. This special amulet is called “the pregnancy amulet” and the ritual is called “kpaa woo’ meaning amulet wearing in English.
SOME REQUIREMENTS NEEDED FOR THE RITUALS
- Small Bucket
- Fowl
- Yam
- Egg
- Small earthenware bowl
- Palm oil
- Knife
- White cloth
- Money
- Drink
After all these requirements are presented, the herbalist/priest then prepares special herbs for bathing for the pregnant woman. And also, the only one responsible for the upkeep of the pregnant woman is a qualified and experienced elderly from the husband’s mothers’ side of the family.
RULES THE PREGNANT WOMAN SHOULD FOLLOW
- She shouldn’t do any form of domestic work
- She eats alone and she eats only the food prepared by the woman taking care of her
- She shouldn’t shake anyone
- No one should cross her
- She should turn her back when sitting and no one should pass behind her
IMPORTANCE OF THE “KPAA WOO RITUAL”
- For protection of the pregnant women
- It gives hope to the husband and his wife some hope of a safe delivery.
CHILD BIRTH
Customs demands that the first person to be told when the husband delivers is the husband and he then shares the good news with his family and the wife’s family. The man’s fathers and his kinsmen then sends over gin to the midwife/old woman who delivered the baby. The old woman then pours libation with the gin presented to thank the gods for safe delivery.
SIGNIFICANCE
- It serves as an opportunity to thank the midwife
- It glorifies the woman
SUNESHISHI
Suneshishi which translates “Under the Pillow” in English represents the money sent to the wife by the husband to buy stuff she might need before the naming ceremony. This portrays the love and support the husband has for the wife and child. Under the pillow is where people used to keep money and that’s why this special money is called “under the pillow”.
SIGNIFICANCE
- It helps by things she needs like new clothes etc.
- It glorifies the new born mother
- It signifies appreciation
OTSIWUORGBEE
This is the money and the fowl the husband gives the wife after child birth. This is what he gifts his wife after a safe and sound delivery. The wife kills then kills the fowl exactly a week on the day she was born and shares it with family, friends and even the husband
SIGNIFICANCE
- It is used to show gratitude to the woman
- It makes the wife happy