CHARGES AND ACCUSATION S

The chief linguist Tsiamigah Kodzovi, took his position at the very center of the gathering as he took off his sandals and lowered his cover cloth and tied it around his waist and half bowed towards the rising sun. This is the official positioning one who must pour libation must assume.

He held two bottles of Schnapps, one in each hand. This position shows reverence to the gods and ancestors of the people. As he began his incantations. He took a sip from each bottle and spat it out unto the ground, in order to cleanse his mouth for the ritual that he was about to perform.

" Me nyi ba na Mawugah sogbolisa, Mama Anyigbator" pauses and poured some of the liquor on the ground this he would do throughout the whole libation.

"Me nyi ba ni anyigbadzi mawua wo kata"

"Me nyi na na Togbe Awangor Kyle efe ntsi manual wo Kyle video viviawo kata"

" Me nyi ba na Dufia haha Kple enu fiawo kata Kple dumegah wo"

He drank from the bottle and spat it out again before continuing his incantations.

" Ooohh gods of our land and the mighty heroes and ancestors that have gone before us . Oooh you occupants of the spirit world that oversees the physical world and protects your descendant, we greet you all."

He poured the drink unto the ground and continued,

" We did not call you in vain oooh great ancestors and the gods of our land.We call you this day for you to grant us your descendant the wisdom to judge this case for which we are gathered here today."

" Guide us ooohh ancient ones, guide us ohhhh wise ones and bring g us peace. Let our barns be full and drive away every evil eye from your people. We bring your drink, come take and drink "

He concluded by pouring about half of the Schnapps on the ground and took a drink himself. He passed the drink around the elders and they each took a sip of it before setting the bottle down and taking his place behind the King.

This signifies the beginning of the traditional court session. Every body sat up with full attention focused on the King and his elders in council. Even though at this point most of them could deduce the reason for the gathering, there was no way to be sure until it is confirmed.

The war chief of the Awangor kingdom stood up as is his duty in the tradtional set up. Any time the ancient drum which doubles as the war drum sounds its his duty to lead the warriors and answer the call. In gathering such is this he still has to be the first to enquire the reason for sounding the drum.

"Agoo ne anyone no pea, Me nyi ba na Dufiagah kplw enu me wo. Me do ago na fu fovea kata." He paused and yurned to the King, bowed to show his respect and continued.

" Tsiamigah, please hear this and notify the King. This dawn the ancient drums sounded and in response my warriors and I have come to answer the call. Please His Royal Majesty why were the ancient drums sounded?"

"Togbegah , this is the query from the War Chief. I leave it to you His Royal Majesty." His job as the Chief linguist (Tsiamigah is to take messages and relay them to the King. This is in accordance to the custom of the people, he is a medium of communication between the King and the people.

Dumegah Dzata stood up as is his duty in such gatherings. He adjusted his cover cloth and announced the reason fro the gathering. He acknowledged the War Chieftain's inquest and turned to face the people.

" Beloved citizens of the Awangor traditional area, Tongor community, Awali community, Awadada community, Duta community, Kporxor community, Todzi community, Dzoxor community, Fianor community, Gatoo community," I acknowledge your presence and thank you for answering the call. Being here I stead of going out to u dertzke your daily chores is a testament of our unity."

He paused and then continued his speech. " Our norms, customs and traditions left behind for us to guide us, to unite us and to be a light that ours guides us into the right path. So that our kingdom can continue to trive from generation to generation. They are the very cords that maintain social order and promote peaceful existence among our people.

"This kingdom had been built with the blood and sweat of the great ancestors. Subsequent generations of our fathers fight and sacrificed their lives in order to ensure that we as a people can prevail and continue on." He stopped briefly as the crowd clapped and responded in agreement to what he had said.

" Its now our turn to ensure our continuity and protect the legacies of our fathers thay had gone before us. So that there would still be an awangor for our children and their children's children to inherit."

The warriors who turned up in their war apparels and weapons at this point raised their weapons above their heads and rose into a war song of salutation in respond to the declaration and the drummers supported them.

After the song, they fired their guns into the air three times per the customs to show their readiness to give their lives in other to protect their kingdom. A solemn pledge of allegiance.

Dumegah Kodzovi continues his speech," That is why when the very reason for our continuity is threatened; we as a people must co e together to do what is needed from us to preserve our kingdom.

"Its for this same reason were the ancient drums sounded and the convergence of this gathering. Certain crimes have being committed, serious infractions on the customs and norms of our Kingdom. "

" The gods and the ancestors are angry and demand justice from the pepertrators in order to appease them. A taboo that can o ly be washed away by blood." He stopped and turned to the leader of the female Elders. ",Mamagah Duwonor would come forward and tell us what exactly had happened and since the cultprit is under her tuteluga, she must be the one to do this according to tradition of the people."

He stopped talking and sat down to allow for the female Elder to take the stage and address the people. As he sat down the Female Elder had already stood up to address the crowd.

The accused sat down with the baby in her arms and was so bing gently with her head bowed as tears soaked her dress. She was is dismay and felt alone. Her beloved mother and father are the King and Queen of the kingdom and could not come forth and comfort her at this critical juncture.

They are also her judges and can not do anything for her at this time.