Yendi Falls Silent as Yaa Naa Mahama Abubakari II Is Buried at Dawn

The Gbewaa Palace in Yendi fell into silence before sunrise as Yaa Naa Mahama Abubakari II, the Overlord of Dagbon, was laid to rest at the royal mausoleum in line with long-standing Dagbon traditional customs.

The burial ceremony, held at dawn, was conducted through sacred rites led by the Kuga Naa, the traditional father of Dagbon, together with the Dagbon Consecrated Council of Elders.

The solemn farewell marked the end of the earthly reign of the 41st Yaa Naa, whose leadership was defined by efforts to strengthen peace, unity and reconciliation within the Dagbon Kingdom.

During the mourning period, the drums that filled Yendi with traditional sounds were reduced to subdued rhythms as the remains of the late king were conveyed to the palace for the final burial rituals.

The rites began with a formal announcement by the Kuga Naa, followed by the purification of the palace ahead of the burial.

Security was heightened in Yendi as chiefs from various traditional areas linked to the Yaa Naa gathered at the forecourt of the Gbewaa Palace to pay their final respects.

Royal drummers solemnly recited the lineage and history of the late king, replacing the celebratory rhythms usually associated with a reigning Yaa Naa.

The burial took place inside the royal mausoleum at the palace, a tradition reserved for overlords of Dagbon. Only selected elders and close family members were present during the final rites.

Yaa Naa Mahama Abubakari II was enskinned on January 25, 2019, at the age of 87, following years of mediation by the Committee of Eminent Chiefs to resolve the long-running Dagbon chieftaincy dispute.

His ascension to the Yendi skin brought an end to years of uncertainty after the 2002 conflict between the Andani and Abudu royal gates, which created deep divisions within the kingdom.

Throughout his reign, he was celebrated as a symbol of reconciliation and worked to restore unity and stability in Dagbon.

Traditional leaders, dignitaries and residents from across the region joined the funeral ceremonies in Yendi to honour the late overlord.

Following his burial, Dagbon tradition will now proceed to the next stage of succession with the enskinment of a Regent.

The late Yaa Naa’s eldest son is expected to be enskinned as Kpampayaa Naa in the coming days. The Regent will oversee the affairs of Dagbon with the support of the Council of Elders until the final funeral rites are completed and a new Yaa Naa is selected.

For now, Yendi and the wider Dagbon Kingdom remain in mourning, reflecting on the legacy of a ruler whose reign became associated with peace, healing and restoration.