It was an uneventful start to the day as we packed oursleves up to go off to the Deg literacy day, to be held at Cherada on the main road between Buipe and Kintampo. Pat Herbert was our faithful pilot, who was accompanied by Marj Crouch, Simon Mensah, Wilford Opoku and myself.
On the way there Wilford informed us of some recent events within the Deg project. One interesting story came as we listened to some of the Ba cha moe scripture songs in Deg. A man skilled in this style of music was used during the recording of the tape we were listening too, one Yaw Bombal. It was after the recording he became a Christian and went along to the literacy class, which enabled him to read the portions of the Bible available in Mo/Deg. He is now involved in a local Pentecostal church.
Arriving in good time to be ready for the start of the main event, we were not surprised to find that a late breakfast was halting proceedings. At that time New Longoro’s absence was noted as they were busy gathering their crowd for transporting to Cherada. An awkward task as many folk had to be collected from various villages.
The three Bruni’s (local name for a white person or stranger) were entertained in the best room of the village, whilst children played outside. We were greeted by members of the Deg literacy team from time to time as they discovered our presence.
A young lady engaged our eyes with the preparation of a yam using a cutlass, a somewhat risky looking affair! Missing my chance in taking a picture of the process I waited to see whether another yam would suffer the same way. Instead some small fish were produced so she was caught in the act of preparing them. Of course as soon as the picture was taken the children all surrounded her anticipating their inclusion in a ‘snap’ shot!
Finally after a good long rest the event started at 12:45 with the arrival of the Regent and the Kingmaker, under an all-encompassing red and yellow umbrella. Drums were struck in honour of these men and a traditional flute brought its own peculiar sound to the pomp and ceremony. The procession resided under a select canopy overshadowed by two large mango trees, also covering everyone else present.
One could not help but notice the Kingmaker who marched along in an upright posture adorned in his black and white robe, whilst festooned with gold ornaments on black cloth covering his head. Upon his arms he also wore gold shapes of moon and stars adorning a black band. A golden sun ring, was worn on a finger. His throne was carried by his loyal subjects whilst he walked regally to his place. He was inaugurated as the chairman but because of his high position in Deg society he had someone else to speak for Him.
After all stood for prayer business began in earnest. The dancers came on forming a procession around the drums, and waved their, bodies slowly to the music. The chairman encouraged the dancers with “jan jam, jan jam” (thankyou, thankyou). Some singing followed in the ’odie’ style, with four people, two women and two men singing a capella.
More people gathered around to watch and by the middle of the event I had estimated around 200 people watching. Half of them were children. When the drama came on the children suddenly had rapt attention. Enthusiasm sometimes got the better of them as they were shushed away from coming to close to the proceedings.
A drama unveiled the story of two wives of the same husband. One who went to a literacy class, the other didn’t. A certain day came when the illiterate wife poisoned the food, being somewhat jealous of her husband and the other wife. This mischief had not gone unnoticed by the senior wife who wrote a note to her husband and hid it in with the food. Coming back from farming the husband was hungry so sat down to eat and of course noticed the note. Calling his junior wife he said “You cooked it, you eat it!” But she would not. The husband threatened if she would not go to the literacy class he would send her home. Begging for forgiveness, the wicked wife recanted of her misdeed and said she would go.
From the offset in Deg land the literacy days have been encouraged to demonstrate local crafts. An elderly lady was present spinning cotton in preparation for weaving. Normally more than one person representing one of these crafts at a literacy day has been seen.
Various speeches were given. A speech from the District Director of Education thanked GILLBT for the help the Deg had received from the organisation. One speech by Pat Herbert on behalf of GILLBT spoke of the difference between the statistics of the first literacy day and the present. (see inset)
Following this part of the speech everyone was asked to stand and pay their respects. “It is with gratitude that we remember his (the late Paramount Chief, Nana Dimpor II) support of our project and remember that he said on our first literacy day – ‘Today, the Deg language has been born!’ “
All in attendance must have been greatly encouraged by the presence and speech of the District Chief Executive, due to the fact he, himself a Deg man had risen to such a position. He exhorted the people saying that white people have come all this way to help us so we should be serious about reading and writing.
After his speech certificates and incentives were handed out. One of the Mother’s of the literacy project in the process of taking a photo, left the one giving and the one receiving holding hands longer than necessary as she had trouble with her camera. Another Deg man approached with his camera, which also developed a hitch, all creating much mirth and merriment amongst the participants who were present.
A collection was taken for the project, with an amount of ¢413,100 realised. People drifted away after the presentations and when the last prayer had been said the event had finished at about 4:00 pm. We the GILLBT representatives were entertained to some sustenance and then left to go our own separate way back to Tamale.