13/07/2026
Prologue:
"When the Namo Naa, Lord of the Drummer-Poets, senses in his spirit the rise of a new Yaa Naa, a new verse rises in his ears, and he can feel the hairs bristle on the ancient skins of Sitobu.
He does not need to summon the Lunsi. They know to come when a new King summons all Dagbon. And this Friday, as great Allah wills, Yoo Naa Abukari Mahama shall mount the great Nam of Yani in a blaze of glory, as the 40th Yaa Naa.
His ankadi will bind the rain, dry the muskets of his chomfo nima and cherlan nima, and the Lunsi know to sing his tributes from that sacred hour, when the Guma Naa cooks the holy yams to pacify the royal lips.
But what is the journey that has brought us here — to Yendi, to the great sambani and courtyards of Naa Gbewaa’s palace, and to this solemn moment?
The Lunsi’s drum-song cannot tell of this, for the King’s beginning on the Great Nam is the only beginning that matters. So it is I, but a mere wayside chronicler, who must humbly bear this duty. I, who cannot sing when the gonje plays, yet it has fallen upon my mouth to tell this saga. I crave your ears."
For now, beasts and birds and men and gifted lunsi cry out in unison:
Long may Dagbon flourish; long may Yaa Naa reign!
And on this day, finally,
A leopard and a hyena do not combine to create a lion.
There is but one Yaa Naa.
And his name is Abukari Mahama, Naa Nyagse’s successor, ruler over all Dagbamba — until Faako Naa himself calls him unto his bosom."
[And on this day, finally Faako Naa himself has called him unto his bosom.]
Rest well the Lion King
