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The Place of Taboos in Contemporary University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh UNIVERSITY OF GHANA, LEGON DEPARTMENT FOR THE STUDY OF RELIGIONS THE PLACE OF TABOOS IN CONTEMPORARY AKWAMUTRADITIONAL SOCIETY BISMARK KWASI OSEI JULY, 2017 University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh UNIVERSITY OF GHANA, LEGON DEPARTMENT FOR THE STUDY OF RELIGIONS THE PLACE OF TABOOS IN CONTEMPORARY AKWAMU TRADITIONAL SOCIETY BY BISMARK KWASI OSEI (10508453) THIS THESIS IS SUBMITTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF GHANA, LEGON IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENT FOR THE AWARD OF MPHIL STUDY OF RELIGIONS DEGREE JULY, 2017 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 research undertaken under supervision. BISMARK KWASI OSEI …………………………… …………………………….. (STUDENT) DATE DR GODSON AHORTOR ………………………… …………………………… (SUPERVISOR) DATE DR. BEN-WILLIE KWAKU GOLO………………… …………………………… (SUPERVISOR) DATE i University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh ABSTRACT This study investigated the place of taboos in contemporary Akwamu traditional society. Its primary aim is to identify taboos which are observed in Akwamu traditional society and the philosophical explanations underpinning the practice of these taboos. It is also to examine how taboos affect ethical values in the daily lives of the people and their relevance in the maintenance of social order in contemporary Akwamu traditional society. A qualitative design and phenomenological approach were used in this study. The main instruments used in gathering relevant data for the study were interview, observation and relevant information from documentary sources. In all, forty respondents comprising family heads, chiefs, queen mothers, Christians and Muslims were purposively selected for the study based on their knowledge in Akwamu traditional philosophy and cultural practices. The key findings of the study showed that the practice of taboos among the people of Akwamu remains very strong because it reinforces the communal values of solidarity, identity and unity among the people. The study also disclosed that taboos have not been completely wiped out but have rather been either modified or toned down because of the significant roles they play in the preservation of lives among the people of Akwamu in contemporary times. The study recommended among other things that a concerted effort should be put in place by stakeholders, both government and all religious functionaries to increase people’s awareness of the relevance of taboos in contemporary Akwamu traditional society. The study therefore concluded that the sustainability of taboos in Akwamu traditional society would need a concerted effort by all stakeholders to create awareness within the people. ii University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh DEDICATION This work is dedicated to my dear wife, Mrs. Patricia Osei Kwateng and my lovely daughters, Lynette Akosua Serwa Osei and Phebe Afua Gyaubea Osei. iii University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Developing an exposition such as this is quite onerous. However, the venture becomes interesting as you buy into the knowledge of experts. In this regard, a special mention must be made of my supervisors, Dr. Godson Ahortor and Dr. Ben-Willie Kwaku Golo, whose invaluable directions and suggestions have brought this work to its present state. To them, I express my most profound gratitude for taking time off their busy schedules to go through the work meticulously. I am also indebted to all the respondents, particularly Nana Samanyia, Nana Okrukata and Nana Afrakoma for granting me the interviews. I am equally thankful to the Head, Department for the Study of Religions, Rev. Dr. Ossom Batsa whose consistent encouragement speeded up the earlier completion of this work. Again, special thanks go to Dr. Ernestina Novieto who supervised me during the correction stage when the research returned from the external examiners. Also, I am grateful to my parents, the late Nana Gyensare IV and Madam Christiana Afua Gyaubea and finally, I feel obliged to single out my wife and children whose prayers, support and encouragement spurred me on. 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 ........................................................................................................... viii LIST OF FIGURES ........................................................................................................... ix CHAPTER ONE ................................................................................................................. 1 INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................................. 1 1.1 Background to the Study ........................................................................................... 1 1.2 Statement of the Problem .......................................................................................... 4 1.3 Objective of the Study ............................................................................................... 4 1.4 Research Questions ................................................................................................... 4 1.5 Scope of the Study..................................................................................................... 5 1.6. Conceptual framework ............................................................................................. 5 1.7 Methodology and methods of data collection ........................................................... 6 1.7.1. Interview ............................................................................................................ 7 1.7.2. Observation ........................................................................................................ 8 1.7.3 Documents .......................................................................................................... 8 1.8. Literature review ...................................................................................................... 9 1.9. Organization of the study ....................................................................................... 13 1.10 Limitations ............................................................................................................ 14 1.11. Significance of the study ...................................................................................... 14 1.12. Summary .............................................................................................................. 15 CHAPTER TWO .............................................................................................................. 16 CONCEPTUALISING TABOOS .................................................................................... 16 2.1. Introduction ............................................................................................................ 16 2.2. The concept of taboo .............................................................................................. 16 2.3. The Akan concept of Taboo ................................................................................... 19 2.4. Roles and significance of taboos ............................................................................ 22 2.5. Taboos and moral conduct ..................................................................................... 26 2.6. Taboos in contemporary Traditional African societies: Challenges ...................... 27 2.7. Some Prevalent Taboos in Traditional African Societies ...................................... 31 2.7.1. Chieftaincy Taboos .......................................................................................... 31 2.7.2.Totemic Taboos ................................................................................................ 36 v University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh 2.7.3. Deity Taboos.................................................................................................... 39 2.7.4. Sacred Grove Taboos....................................................................................... 42 2.8. Summary ................................................................................................................ 44 CHAPTER THREE .......................................................................................................... 45 TABOOS AMONG AKWAMU PEOPLE IN HISTORY ............................................... 45 3.1. Introduction ............................................................................................................ 45 3.2. History of the Akwamu People .............................................................................. 45 3.2.1. Traditional Administration and Religious Life of Akwamu people ................ 53 3.2.2. Socio-Economic Life of the
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