A new chapter has begun in the history of the Dagbon Kingdom following the enskinment of Kampakuya-Naa Yakubu Abubakari as Regent of Dagbon after the death and burial of his father, His Royal Majesty Yaa-Naa Abubakari Mahama II.
The newly installed Kampakuya-Naa, who is the eldest son of the late Overlord, was formally welcomed to the Gbewaa Palace in the early hours of Monday after undergoing the customary enskinment rites that followed the official announcement of the King’s passing.
His installation forms part of the centuries-old succession and funeral traditions of the Dagbon Kingdom, ensuring continuity of authority during the period between the death of a Yaa-Naa and the installation of a successor.
As Kampakuya-Naa, Yakubu Abubakari now assumes the regency of the Kingdom and becomes the temporary custodian of the affairs of Dagbon. Although he does not become the Yaa-Naa, he occupies one of the most important positions during a royal transition, overseeing the administration of the Gbewaa Palace and ensuring that the elaborate funeral rites of the late monarch are conducted strictly in accordance with Dagbon custom and tradition.
During the mourning period, the Regent will work closely with the Council of Elders, kingmakers and senior traditional authorities to preserve stability within the Kingdom while safeguarding the customs that govern the transition of the Dagbon skin.
His responsibilities also include receiving visiting chiefs, traditional rulers, government officials, diplomats and mourners who will travel to Yendi to pay their respects to the late Yaa-Naa. The Kampakuya-Naa will serve as the principal traditional authority at the Gbewaa Palace throughout the funeral period until all customary rites have been completed.
The regency also represents a period of continuity for one of Ghana’s oldest traditional kingdoms.
While the sacred Skin of Dagbon remains vacant, the Kampakuya-Naa ensures that the kingdom’s traditional institutions continue to function and that the dignity and authority of the Gbewaa Palace are maintained.
Following the completion of the royal funeral, the traditional processes leading to the selection and enskinment of a new Yaa-Naa will begin in accordance with the customs of the Kingdom. Until then, Kampakuya-Naa Yakubu Abubakari will remain the acting head of Dagbon’s traditional administration, guiding the Kingdom through one of its most solemn and sacred transitions.
The appointment of the late King’s eldest son as Regent underscores the enduring resilience of Dagbon’s traditional governance system, where centuries-old customs provide an orderly path from mourning to renewal, ensuring that the legacy of the Gbewaa Dynasty continues uninterrupted.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
