Ohemaa

Dedicated to our Beautiful Queens

Ɔhemaa

I am ɔhemaa

Daughter of the moon.

Silver, the soft light of the moon my colour is.

Silver, the tender light of the moon my stool is.

Silver, the silky light of the moon my accoutrements are.

Silver, the soft light of the moon my court regalia are.

Dansinkran, the soft shape of the moon I wear.

I am ɔhemaa.

I am ɔhemaa

Call me ɔhene’s mother,

I am ɔhene’s mother’s sister.

Call me ɔhene’s sister,

I am ɔhene’s sister’s daughter.

Call me ɔhene’s mother’s sister’s daughter,

I am ɔhene’s mother’s daughter’s sister.

Call me the mother of all royals,

I am ɔhemaa.

Call me ɔbaahemaa

Foremost personage of my universe,

Foremost proclaimer of a successor after destoolment,

Foremost informed whenever a Mighty Tree falls.

Call me ɔbaahemaa.

Expert in family genealogies,

Expert in female rite de passage,

Expert in counselling.

Call me ɔbaahemaa.

Member of the central government,

Member of the council,

Member of the court,

Call me ɔbaahemaa.

I am ɔhemaa

Call me ɔhene’s mother,

I am ɔhene’s mother’s sister.

Call me ɔhene’s sister,

I am ɔhene’s sister’s daughter.

Call me ɔhene’s mother’s sister’s daughter,

I am ɔhene’s mother’s daughter’s sister.

Call me the mother of all royals,

I am ɔhemaa.

Call me ɔbaahemaa

Central personage of my universe.

ɔhene’s left side I forever occupy my stool.

I alone can nominate ɔhene’s successor.

I alone can have a final say in determining an authentic successor.

I alone can have a large say in picking a new ɔhene.

I alone can rebuke ɔhene.

I alone can reprimand ɔkyeame.

I alone can reproof mpanimfoo, members of the council.

I alone can rebuke nananom, the sages of the state.

I alone can address the audience directly

During trials at ɔhene’s court.

I alone can address parties directly

During trials at ɔhene’s court.

Call me ɔbaahemaa.

I am ɔhemaa

Call me ɔhene’s mother,

I am ɔhene’s mother’s sister.

Call me ɔhene’s sister,

I am ɔhene’s sister’s daughter.

Call me ɔhene’s mother’s sister’s daughter,

I am ɔhene’s mother’s daughter’s sister.

Call me the mother of all royals,

I am ɔhemaa.

I am ɔhemaa

ɔhene I instruct on religious matters.

ɔhene I advise on social matters.

ɔhene I instruct on cultural matters.

ɔhene I advise on his general conduct.

I am ɔhemaa

Daughter of the moon.

Silver, the soft light of the moon, my colour is.

I am ɔhemaa.

Kofi Adu Manyah