HOGBETSOTSOZÃ DIARIES: KNOW THE RULERS OF AŊLƆ STATE.
There is no contradiction to the fact that the cultural heritage in most part of the world, for that matter Aŋlɔ, is enshrined in the sacred institution of Chieftaincy and in the regalia of her traditional rulers.
The Aŋlɔ "Awɔme Stool" alternates between two principal clans ONLY: the ADZƆVIAWO who are the lawful owners and custodians of the Aŋlɔ "Awɔme Stool" "by Right of Inheritance" and the BATEAWO who are secondary owners of the "Awɔme Stool" "by Right of Service."
The present Awɔmefia, TƆGBI SRI III from the Adzɔvia Clan, is the 16th occupant of the sacred AWƆMEZI.
Here is a roll of honour, made up of illustrious leaders and holders of the highest office in an unbroken line of succession to the sacred "Awɔmezi":
1. TƆGBI SRI I
KPONOE (FUIGA) SRI I (alias SRÕE, SRIGÃ), son of ADZA ASIMAƉI of Tado and ASƆŊGOE, sister to Amega Ʋenya and his brothers, Aʋagakpotsui and Doe Setsi, was a royal Adzɔvia by clan and the first Awɔmefia (Principal Head) of Aŋlɔ State.
Tɔgbi Sri I with his maternal uncle Tɔgbi Ʋenya initiated the "Mass Exodus" from Ŋɔtsíe.
Sri I begat:
a. FUI AGBEVE who settled at Deti.
b. DƐ AZIMAXADA who settled Nyaxɔenu (Yɔxoenu).
c. ADZIKA DRAFƆ who settled at Alagbati.
d. GLI (was an adopted son of Sri I who became the custodian of the TƆMI fetish, he settled at Alagbati.)
2. TƆGBI ADELADZẼA I
Sri I was succeeded by ADELADZẼA I (TSATSU), son of KLU BAMETENU alias "Avumegbeaetsɔnuo" and KOKUI ADELATƆBLE alias MÍEƉOAƑE of Ŋɔtsie. He hailed from the Bate Clan and a nephew to Sri I.
Adeladzẽa I headed the Aŋlɔ delegation sent back to Ŋɔtsie to retrieve the Aŋlɔ Awɔmezi.
At first, he acted as "Fiadomegatala" (Regent) for Tɔgbi Sri I when the latter was in hiding as AWƆMEFIA.
TƆGBI ADELADZẼA I begat:
a. NUKPƆŊKU
b. AYISA
c. AHɔ̃DOETƆ
d. KPƆKPƆTETI
e. ADELA AKO
f. AGƆƉƆ
g. AKƆTSUI
h. NUKPƆGBI alias HUNEKPƆGBI (who was a female)
3. TƆGBI ZÃNYIDƆ (ZÃNYEDƆ)
Tɔgbi Zãnyidɔ succeeded Tɔgbi Adeladzẽa I as Awɔmefia of Aŋlɔ State. He was the son of Fui Agbeve and grandson of Tɔgbi Sri I. He hailed from the royal Adzɔvia Clan.
4. TƆGBI AKƆTSUI
Tɔgbi Akɔtsui succeeded Awɔmefia Zãnyidɔ as Awɔmefia. He hailed from the Bate Clan and his parents were Awɔmefia Adeladzẽa I and Kokui Ʋala.
5. TƆGBI ŊDITSI (1703 - 1749)
(Ŋditsi be yeƒo ame glã kpé)
Ŋditsi was from the royal Adzɔvia Clan. He was the son of Adzika Drafɔ, grandson of Awɔmefia Sri I and his mother was Ahũma.
Awɔmefia Ŋditsi was remarkable during his reign as the head of Aŋlɔ State.
He introduced the NYIKƆƲU, the "Night Drum" and institutionalized ATƆKƆ ATɔ̃LIA into his administration.
The Nyikɔʋu known in English as "Night Drum" is in two parts: the male and the female.The drum personifies the government of the people and helped to establish law, order and discipline within the Aŋlɔ State.
The Nyikɔʋu was beaten at midnight, outside the home of someone heavily in debt or for an evildoer who proved to be recalcitrant, refractory or incorrigible.
He or she is taken forcibly and killed or buried alive with his or her head above the ground for vultures feast on at "ATƆKƆ ATɔ̃LIA" meaning "the Fifth Landing Stage."
The female drum is housed at NYIME in the Lashibi or Mia quarter at Aŋlɔga and the male drum is housed at AGƆWOƲƆNU in the Aɖɔtri quarter.
The male drum sounds first: "MĨEDE ZÃ, MĨEGBƆ ZÃ" meaning "We went at night and returned by night". The female responds "GBEWÕE NYE GBENYE" meaning "Your words are mine"
A section of Aŋlɔ State elders believed Awɔmefia Kponoe Sri I introduced the NYIKƆƲU which became desuetude after his demise but was reinstituted by Awɔmefia Ŋditsi.
...to be continued.
Credit : AnloTV
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