People, Family, and Kinship
- Aberade or Abrade: A large clan indigenous to Ghana. They are the aboriginal landlords of the land at Larteh, Akuapem who allowed others to live on their land following mass migrations due to war. This is one of eight major clan groups that make up the Akan ethnic group.
- Abusia or Abusua: A term for a family group linked through the matrilineal line, or blood relatives. Marriage is forbidden among members of the Abusia.
- Abusia Panyin: A family’s elder or designated senior representative.
- Akan: The ancient indigenous group from West Africa, including what is now known as Ghana and the Ivory Coast. The Akan share a common history, customs, and traditions. The Asona and Aberade/Abrade are two families within this ethnic group. The Akan frequently married those of the Guan group, who were the indigenous people.
- Amansore Kotoe: Refers to the Amansore family as one of the royal families of the indigenous people of Larteh and the landlords for those who migrated to their land (Akuapem region). Amansore also means “where the nation rose.”
- Ankobeafo: The Heads of a family (plural, or the whole collective). The Ankobeahene is the male head of the family.
- Asona: The largest clan of the Akan ethnic group in Ghana. The Amansore are of the Asona clan.
- Clan: A term for a large family or Abusua, defined as a federation of four or five different groups of Abusua or Families with one identified Head.
- Nana: In the Twi language, this means descendant. It is a name of reverence used for an Elder, an elderly person, or one enstooled as an African Traditional Royal. Nana is used as a prefix and title.
Spiritual Forces, Practitioners, and Ceremonies
- Abosom: A powerful African Spiritual Force or deity in the Akan spiritual tradition—including Oracles, Deities, Angels, and Ascended Masters. The Abosom can be communicated with through divination and will “mount” or possess a human being (Okomfo).
- Abosomfie: House for the Abosom, as fie means house. The Asona Aberade Shrine is an example.
- Akom: A spiritual ceremony involving drumming, dancing, and singing particular songs that relate to the Abosom. During an Akom, one or many people may be possessed. This ceremony may last many hours or days and is seen as a powerful way to shift consciousness.
- Akomfo (Plural): The facilitators and essential participants in the Akom. Europeans historically used the term Priest or Priestess; Shaman is the preferred translation.
- Akomfohene: King of Akomfo, or King of Shamans. This is the plural form and title for the Head of many Akomfo.
- Boafo: A helper or an Angel—or a being like an Angel in one’s service.
- Nene Akonedi (Guan Language): The Head of the hierarchy of all the Abosom from Larteh, Akuapem. This powerful deity is formally addressed as Nene (a Guan distinction). The Nene Akonedi Shrine is known as one of the oldest sanctums of spiritual and psychic healing in Africa and an ancient mystery school.
- Okomfo (Singular): A facilitator and custodian for the Abosom (Shaman). The Okomfo is often called a dancing priest who “carries” or is “mounted” by the Abosom during the Akom spiritual ceremony.
- Okomfohene: King Okomfo (hene means King). This title was historically used in the prior century to refer to the head of the Akomfo.
- Osofo: An elder priest and spiritual custodian of the Abosom and Akomfo.
- Possession: The state of being one with the Abosom as in a spiritually transcendent state. The Abosom “mounts” the Okomfo, who can then facilitate communication, prophecy, and healing miracles.
- Shaman: A person called to spiritual service as an indigenous healer who works with spiritual forces and facilitates communication with spiritual entities. This is the preferred translation for Okomfo/Akomfo.
Places and Titles
- Aburi Compound: The location of a mystery school or training center in Larteh, Ghana, for Akomfo in the Akan spiritual tradition. It is named after the ancient town of Aburi. The Nana Asuo Gyebi Shrine is located here.
- Enstoolment: The process of being placed in a position of leadership as an African Traditional Royal (Queen Mother, King/Chief). The position is considered a spiritual seat or stool, and the enstooled royal represents the Ancestors who formerly held that position.
- Okyeame: The linguist who speaks for a Traditional Royal (King or Queen Mother). The Okyeame typically holds a long staff that symbolizes the royal’s stool or Clan.