Okule

Okule is a traditional female cult among the Nawuri people and other Guans like the Achode, Adele, Nchumurus and the Krachis who are located in the Northern and Oti Regions of Ghana. Okule is a corruption of Okuoku,which is a form of greeting among members of the Okule cult. While Okule is the name of the group, among devotees Chankpana is the name of the deity or the secret cultic practice by which women are initiated and venerated the Chankpana spirit or deity. Members of the cult has a special language called Kiliji, spoken only among the members. The language is central to all aspects of life in this community, including everyday conversations, singing, ceremonial rituals, and divination practices. It is the first thing newcomers are expected to learn.

Structure

The leaders of the community comprise several key figures: Orlami, who holds the highest position as the overall leader; Onuagyimgyi, respected senior members or the council of elders; Omaseibo, the diviner; Olami Akpakya, known as the disciplinarian or commander within the group, greatly respected and feared by all members; Olikukuami, the principal singer; Alagbe, the drummer; and Ola Gongong, the gong beater or public announcer.

Recruitment

Before becoming a member, an individual goes through recruitment and training. The recruitment is for only females. People join the cult through main ways either voluntary or involuntary. If any female wants to be a member voluntarily, she first place her hands on her head and start shouting the words jei, jei, jei, while running to the residence of the cult leader -that is the Orlami. On arrival the Olami will send for other senior members of the cult, libation is poured to Chankpanato accept the newcomer. This form of recruitment is common among young females whose relatives are already in the cult.

In terms of the involuntary, the individual is possessed in various locations, such as the market, farm, or elsewhere. The individual can typically experience the phenomenon while at home and may begin shouting. Behaviorally, with voluntary possession, it is generally easier for the individual to regain composure after performing a libation.

Training

Formal acceptance into the cult begins after the recruitment. The training begins by removing all the clothes from new members, the fabrics from then are considered unclean. The recruits are made to wear cowries around their waist, ankles and necks. Those who could afford smaller bells could buy and tie them on their ankles. The bells signal their presence as they walk around the community. The Olami officially perform rites to begin the training. She gives the group a collective name Aleri, which means newcomers or novices. The first to arrive for training is given the name Onimgbo,and the last person is also called Nkianyi. They are made to abandoned their day names and from then observed several rules in their walking to distinguished.

The Kiliji language is learnt during the training process. All activities are done in the language -daily communication, singing, ritual performances, and divination. During the training period older members speak none of the local languages except the Kiliji. This is practice to make it easy for the new members to pick the language faster.

At the time of training, they are supposed to stay in the house of the Olami. Family members could visit and present gifts, mainly foodstuff and money. Such offertories went into a shared pool and used to prepare meals for the entire group and their instructors or mentors.

Environmental Significance

Aside from the other forms of training and skills acquired during the training moment, new members are sent to the bush where they learn about plants and animals.The experience in the bush enables them to know how the spirit world interacts with humans. They are also taught the various uses of animals and plants. The wilderness experience culminates in a number of taboos, one of which is the prohibition on harming or killing reptiles, particularly the highly revered python. The practices of the Okule help to preserves environment around such communities. In most of the communities where the Okule exist, forests had been reserved for their use.

References

 This article incorporates text from a free content work. Licensed under CC-BY 4.0 (license statement/permission). Text taken from The Okule Cult Education and Practice in Ghana​, Samuel Ntewusu, Richard Awubomu, Diana Amoni Ntewusu, Grace Adasi, Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies in Education.