GBORDOME
Gbodome is a small village in the Volta Region on Ghana. The rich culture, chiefs, towns and history of the people of gbodome.
Togbui Adza Lokko VII, is arguably one of the most powerful chiefs in Kpando.
Traditionally, he is the Gbordome fiaga of the Akpini state. He has the largest number of towns under his authority within the three divisions. This towns, consist of, Dzoanti, Gadza, Gabi, Konda, Agudzi, Dafor, Agbenorxoe, Abanu and Bame, making up to nine traditional areas under his leadership. Enstooled in 1984 as a young boy, he exercise his authority within the Gbordorme and Akpini state.
As tradition demands, the Okpekpewoukpe, exchange his official oath with only the three divisional chiefs as paramount chiefs and receives assurances from them, to work closely with him in ruling the Akpini state.
All other chiefs, are not allowed to exchange oath with Okpekpewoukpe, because the divisional chiefs are the representatives of their authorities. The oath comes in the resemblance of these words which I will try to state in English due to the lack of exactitude of the Ewe rendition. (If you call me in the rain, fire, sunshine, morning, afternoon or night I will honour your call)
Akpinifia Okpekpewoukpe swears to these chiefs as follows; If I call upon you in the rain, fire, sunshine, morning, afternoon or night you shall obey. Failure to adhere to this, you have caused an unforgivable abomination. These exchanges are considered very important that, no divisional chief is expected to offer an excuse to the Okpekpewoukpe when he calls on them as same is expected of Okpekpewoukpe Akpini fiaga Dagadu to the Divisional Chiefs.
The Gbordome fiaga, aside his role as the head of all these traditional areas, double as the chief of Kpando Dzoanti over all other clan chiefs within his town.
Togbui Lokko VII is also the host to the Abo-Danyi shrine house, where the gods of Danyi resides. That’s why during the Danyiba-Kaka festival, his role is key in making sure all events are carried out in line with tradition.
Till date, the Danyi-gods have an abode in Kpando Dzoanti, where the Gbordome fiaga lives.
As indicated earlier, he wills so much authority in the scheme of Akpini traditional area that, he’s one of the chiefs who sit in a palanquin (Apaka) as mentioned in my previous post. And since the Okpekpewoukpe comes from his constituents which is the Besiaku family, he indirectly serves as the head chief from where Okpekpewoukpe Akpini fiaga Dagadu comes from.
Togbui Adza Lokko, will on Sunday, sit at the most important crossroad of Kpando chieftaincy heritage, and will be expected to partake in all the activities of the day, which he has already started since the Okpekpewoukpe was confined.
Queen Mother is Mama Adza Lokko Si III.
