Dagomba People - Death of Ya Naa

Death of Ya Naa

When a sitting Ya Naa dies, all divisional, and sub-divisional chiefs are officially informed of the death of the Ya Naa by the family. All chiefs must travel to Yendi and perform the some prescribed rites. These include firing of the musketry by the chiefs soldiers; visit to the Ya Naa’s grave; presentation of the burial kit to the bereaved family. The presentation of the burial kit by the Karaga Naa, Savelugu Lana, and Mion Lana – occupants of the gate skin to Yani, constitutes a preliminary application for the vacant Yani Skins. The chiefs then have the option to either go back to their respective chiefdom or stay in Yendi until the performance of the final funeral rites and the selection of a new Ya Naa. The exception to this tradition is that the Kumbun Naa and the Gushie Naa, who are not to enter Yendi until the Ya Naa selection committee have selected a successor to the Ya Naa.

Zon Titali

Main palace hall

Katin Duu

Room in the Ya Naa palace where the Ya Naa select adorns the regalia of the Ya Naa.

Yani

The Skins of Yendi or the kingship of Yendi