Talking About Ghana: Society's Religious and Filial Customs

Ghanaians had their own social organization and set of beliefs, customs and behaviors before they interacted with the outside world. Generally, Ghanaian social customs have their own distinct characteristics in many respects, such as religion, family, festivals, etc.

Although Ghana later had hundreds of years of interaction with European Christians and Muslims, Ghanaians still retain these unique social customs, especially along the lines of religious, hereditary and family customs.

1. Religious Customs

Religion is an integral part of Ghanaian life. The 1992 Constitution of Ghana guarantees the people's right to freedom of religious belief. Contemporary Ghanaians predominantly practice Christianity and Islam.

The introduction and development of these two religions took place in the exchanges between Ghana and foreign countries. In addition, Ghanaians also believe in traditional African religions, and a certain proportion of the population is not affiliated with any well-known religion. 

Traditional Ghanaians believe that people all over the world have religious beliefs, and that all parts of the world have the shadow of traditional religions in Ghana or Africa. It is reported that many of the existing Christians and Muslims in Ghana still follow traditional African customs and traditional religions. In Ghana's traditional religion, believers believe in a supreme being who is the creator of all things.

Below the supreme are various gods, ancestors and even wizards. Gods are sacred beings and the souls of nature. People believe that they live in specific areas. Shrines are usually built near the residence of gods to provide humans with a convenient way to communicate with them. 

In addition, ancestors are the most important spiritual power. Each ethnic group respects its important deceased members, both individually and collectively. People believe that ancestors exist in the afterlife and benefit or punish their descendants, and descendants must pray to them in order to live a good life. However, magic and witchcraft were seen as symbols of evil. For example, witches were considered dangerous people who could cause illness or accidents, or even cast spells to kill livestock or innocent people.

2. Inheriting Customs

Traditionally, Ghanaian society has two systems of inheritance: matrilineal and patrilineal. In the Ghanaian tradition, children are regarded as belonging to either the maternal or patrilineal lineage (extended family), but not to both. The patrilineal system allocates the responsibility of caring for widows and children to male descendants, whereas the matrilineal system assigns this duty to the widow's lineage, which encompasses her father, brothers, and uncles.

Ethnic groups that follow a matrilineal system, such as the Akan, define lineage only through female descent, with the mother, aunts, nephews, and grandparents being considered blood relatives, but not the father, aunts, nephews, and grandparents. Thus, political positions and property are held and inherited by female relatives. Under matrilineal rules, a man's children are not his blood relatives, and in the event of his death, the heirs are his sister's children. The main ethnic groups that follow a patrilineal system are the Ga-Adangebe, Ewe, and Moshi-Dagomba. Under this system, the deceased father's property belongs to the children, who are also considered his blood relatives.

3. Family Customs

In Ghana, the extended family is the center of social life and its concept goes beyond the scope of husband and wife. The extended family is a large network of relationships in which all members have a common ancestor. In matrilineal societies, the extended family consists of all members of the maternal relationship. In patrilineal societies, the extended family includes all members of the paternal relationship. 

Both matrilineal and patrilineal societies regard maternal and paternal relationships as blood relationships. A person's relationship with a member of the extended family is as important as a person's relationship with his spouse and children, and in some cases even more important. Historically, blood ties have been a bastion of emotional and economic support. In addition, the extended family coordinates social relations among tribesmen and provides a platform for communication and exchange among tribesmen. 

The leader of the extended family is the clan chief (abusuapanyin, a specific title indicating identity in the local language), who is also the guardian of the extended family's property. At the same time, he is also considered to be the bond between the extended family and the gods and ancestors. Therefore, the abusuapanyin should have good character and behavior, an honest and positive attitude, and be fair and just.