University of Ghana, Legon Department for the Study of Religions
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University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh UNIVERSITY OF GHANA, LEGON DEPARTMENT FOR THE STUDY OF RELIGIONS THE RELIGIOUS AND PHILOSOPHICAL PERCEPTION OF COMMUNAL MEAL ‘OTOR’ AS A STRATEGY FOR CONFLICT RESOLUTION: A CASE STUDY OF WORAWORA IN GHANA REV. EMMANUEL KWAME OTU (10359589) THIS THESIS IS SUBMITTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF GHANA, LEGON, IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENT FOR THE AWARD OF MASTER OF PHILOSOPHY RELIGIONS DEGREE JULY, 2013 University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh DECLARATION I hereby declare that this thesis is not a reproduction, in part or in whole, of any work ever presented for the award of a degree. It is my own original researcher undertaken under supervision. ………………………………………. ………………………. Rev. Emmanuel Kwame Otu Date …………………………………….. …………………...... Prof. Elizabeth Amoah Date ……………………………………. ………………………. Prof. Christ Thomas Date i University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh ABSTRACT The content of this study is the communal ritual meal Otor of the Worawora‟s of Ghana as a strategy for alternative conflict resolution and reconciliation. This communal meal is celebrated during the main festivals of the people of Worawora namely the Akwntutenten, yam and rice festivals. The Akwntutenten, festival has however, become the major festival of the people of Worawora. The symbolic ritual meal is very significant since it is perceived as a means by which conflict resolution and reconciliation is achieved. This perception explains the importance attached to the eating of the Otor meal during their festivals which attract a large number of their citizens. The study investigated the religious and philosophical perception of mashed yams Otor in order to present to policy makers an alternative strategy for conflict resolution and reconciliation in African communities. The descriptive sample survey was used in this study. The research instruments used to collect data was a guide for interviews, questionnaires and telephone conversations. Selected Chiefs and Elders, Abusuapanins, Traditional Priests and Priestesses, Educated and Uneducated Youth and Elderly people of Worawora. The key findings of the study showed that a lot of Worawora people think that Otor Ritual meal promotes conflict resolution as shown in table twenty four in chapter one. From table twenty four about 95% of the respondent indicated that Otor promotes conflict resolution. ii University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh DEDICATION This work is dedicated to my wife, Mrs. Charity Yaa Otu and my children: Rose Kersting Otu and David Kwame Otu as well as to my Mother, Mrs. Rose Otu and my siblings Agnes, Elizabeth and Lilian. iii University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh ACKNOWLEDGEMENT I wish to express my sincere thanks to Professor Elizabeth Amoah and Professor Chris Thomas of the University of Ghana- Legon, for their invaluable advice and supervision of this work. I am thankful to the whole faculty members and staff of the Department for the Study of Religions (University of Ghana, Legon). I am also grateful to Afua Fosua (Former traditional priestess of Worawora and Okyeame Kwabena Peasah who is the Linguist of the paramount chief of Worawora. The contribution and sacrifice of my dear wife, Charity, and our children Kersting and David as well as my mother and sisters: Agnes, Elizabeth and Lilian – served as a foundation for this work. I am proud of them. Above all, I wish to give thanks to the good Lord for his divine grace and providence. To God be the Glory. iv University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh TABLE OF CONTENTS Content Page DECLARATION ................................................................................................................... i ABSTRACT .......................................................................................................................... ii DEDICATION .................................................................................................................... iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ................................................................................................... iv TABLE OF CONTENTS ...................................................................................................... v LIST OF TABLES ............................................................................................................... ix CHAPTER ONE ................................................................................................................... 1 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................ 1 1.1 Background to Study .................................................................................................. 1 1.2 Statement of the Problem ........................................................................................... 2 1.3 Literature Review ....................................................................................................... 3 1.4 Objective of the Study ............................................................................................. 17 1.5 Research Question .................................................................................................... 17 1.6 Significance of the Study ......................................................................................... 17 1.7 Delimitations ............................................................................................................ 18 1.8 Limitations ............................................................................................................... 18 1.9 Definitions/Terminologies ....................................................................................... 19 1.10 Methodology/Methods ............................................................................................. 19 1.11 Overview of Findings / Summary ............................................................................ 22 1.12 Structure of the Research ......................................................................................... 24 CHAPTER TWO ................................................................................................................ 26 THE OTOR COMMUNAL MEAL WITHIN THE HISTORICAL, CULTURAL AND RELIGIOUS CONTEXT OF WORAWORA .................................................................... 26 2.1 Introduction .............................................................................................................. 26 2.2 Historical Context of Worawora .............................................................................. 27 v University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh 2.3 The Culture of Worawora ........................................................................................ 29 2.4 Religious Context of Worawora .............................................................................. 33 2.5 The Traditional leaders of Worawora, with viewpoints from Robert Rattray ......... 39 2.5.1 Installation of Worawora traditional leader ............................................................... 44 2.5.2 The Worawora traditional leadership values ............................................................. 45 2.6 The Akwantutenten Festival .................................................................................... 47 2.7 The Worawora Family System and Community Life .............................................. 48 2.7.1 Office of Okyeame ............................................................................................... 53 2.8 Preparation before the Otor Communal meal in Worawora .................................... 54 2.9 The role of Women in the Otor ritual meal in Worawora ....................................... 56 2.10 Benefits of Participation in Otor Communal Meal in Respect ofConflict Management ........................................................................................................................ 58 2.11 Conclusion ............................................................................................................... 61 CHAPTER THREE ............................................................................................................. 62 PHILOSOPHY AND RELIGION AS A TOOL FOR CONFLICT RESOLUTION IN AFRICAN COMMUNITIES .............................................................................................. 62 3.1 Introduction .............................................................................................................. 62 3.2. Religion and Philosophy defined. ............................................................................ 62 3.2.1 What is Religion? ....................................................................................................... 62 3.2.2 What is Philosophy? ................................................................................................... 65 3.2.3 Philosophy of Religion ............................................................................................... 66 3.3 What if anything is the relationship between (logic) philosophy and faith (religion?) 67 3.4 The Philosophical Perception of Otor Communal Meal in Worawora.................... 68 3.5 The Religious Perception of Otor Communal Meal in Worawora. ......................... 71 3.6 Prayers, songs, proverbs and symbols used in Otor Communal meal in ................. 74 3.6.1 Proverbs ..................................................................................................................... 76 3.6.2 Songs .........................................................................................................................