Click here to see the photo from the Washington Post

 Nearly 15 months ago, Washington, D.C.-based secretary Peggielene Bartels received a phone call that would change her life forever. Early one morning, at 4:00 AM to be exact, a phone call came that woke Bartels from her sleep. The call came from Otuam, a seaside town in the African nation of Ghana. The caller addressed Bartels as “Nana”, which is a term Ghanians use to refer to people of high stature. Bartels, who is not a grandmother and does not have any children of her own, thought that the call was a joke, according to an article in the Washington Post.

The caller stated that the King of Otuam had recently passed away, and that the village elders had selected her as their new king. The King of Otuam was the uncle of Peggielene Bartels, and the village elders performed a traditional ritual to decide upon the heir to the throne. The ritual consisted of praying, then pouring schnapps on the ground. The elders waited for the steam to rise as they called out the names of 25 relatives. The steam would indicate the name of the relative who was destined to be king. The elders announced that Peggielene Bartels was to become the new King of Otuam.

When the caller broke the news, Bartels stated, “Oh please don’t play games with me”, and proceeded to tell the caller that since she was female, she would be more suited for the role of queen. The caller replied that the only position available was that of king, and said that they already had a queen. Bartels told the Washington Post that the caller said to her: “Things are changing. Women can now hold many more positions, even king. You have to accept it”. Read more…

sgl Other African Monarchies Coronation, Female Kings, Ghana, Otuam, Peggielene Bartels

 The government of Uganda has officially recognized the Kingdom of Rwenzururu. The kingdom struggled for a while to gain recognition from the Ugandan government. President Musveni recently announced that the coronation of Prince Charles Mumbere will take place on October 19, according to an article from allafrica.com.

The president’s announcement was greeted with celebration, turning the church service where the announcement was made into a jubilant atmosphere. Musveni’s statement was completely unexpected. He cancelled a trip to Libya in order to deliver the news. When asked about the reason for the delay, Musveni said that “it was due to bad elements who were telling him lies about it”, referring to the kingdom.

The kingdom is comprised of the Bakonzo and Bamba people, who live in the mountains of Uganda. The Bakonzo people have stated that they want the kingdom to protect their culture and heritage. To learn more about the Bakonzo people, please visit this website.

sgl Other African Monarchies Coronation, Prince Charles Mumbere, Rwenzururu, Uganda

After nearly two centuries in the Netherlands, the severed head of King Nana Badu Bonsu II has been returned to Ghana. In the 1830s, the Ahanta King allegedly ambushed and killed the Dutch colonial soldiers who occupied the region, during an exchange of hostilities, according to the Ghana News Agency.

The attack on the Dutch soldiers was a grave offense to the Dutch, who colonized the area that is now known as Ghana. The king was court-martialled, and was sentenced to death by hanging. His head was then removed, and sent to Holland. It was eventually taken to the Leiden University Medical Centre, where it was used for research.

The king’s remains came to the attention of Dutch historian Arthur Japin in October 2008. After a six month period of negotiations between the Ghana Embassy and the Dutch government, it was decided that the remains would be returned to Ghana, where they would receive a traditional burial. On July 22, 2009, a seven-member delegation from the Ahanta Traditional area arrived in the Hague to take possession of the remains.

sgl Dutch Royals, Historical Royals, Other African Monarchies Execution, Ghana, Nana Badu Bonsu II