Funeral held for three fishes to prevent disaster

Youth of Nyinahin in the Atwima Mponua District of the Ashanti Region have held a burial service for three fishes found dead in the Nyinahin Amaano river.

During the burial service, which was done same way as conducted for dead persons, saw the youth performing rituals to avert any tragedy befalling the community.

The dead fishes were discovered during a clean-up exercise undertaken by the youth to clear the river banks of filth. After the rituals they were laid to rest with a white piece of cloth.

Speaking to Kasapa News Monday, the Leader of the youth, Kofi Owusu said though it was not the duty of the youth to perform the rituals and bury the fish, they did so because those responsible were guilty of dereliction of duty, adding that the situation has resulted in unexplicable disaster hitting the community. He noted that three bodies were retrieved from an uncompleted building about a fortnight ago, however no rituals were performed before to taking away the corpses, which shouldn’t have been the case.

It is a taboo for fish in River Nyinahin Amaano to be eaten, either dead or alive, due to the traditional belief of people there that the fish represents the lives of people in the community.

“History about the river has it that when ever a fish from the river dies, a life will be lost. This means that, the town is sitting on a time bomb to burry a resident very soon, if the necessary rituals are not performed since three fishes have just been buried.”

He appealed to Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu ll help them and ensure that the traditional authority in the town performs its duties effectively.