kusum
Maŋnyɛ Klo Dodue is the Chief Custodian of GaDangme kusum and holds the title of Kusum Maŋnyɛ. Historically, the Gas' and Dangmes' were structured as a theocracy; led by a royal priesthood of traditional priests called wulɔmɛi and djemeli. The priesthood followed a religious philosophy that centered the Universe, and conceptualized it as an ordered and systematic expression of the "Supreme Being;" the Creator, Provider and Nurturer of ALL things. A defining feature of GaDangme religious philosophy is animism; the belief in a supernatural power that organizes and animates the material universe, and the connection to the “Animating Spark” that endows all forms of life with a soul; including seeds, plants and natural phenomenon. GaDangme religious doctrine espouse supernatural communication, and reveals a divine hierarchy of creation; one that defines the lines of communication between the Supreme Being (Atta Naa Nyɔŋmɔ), the divine beings of nature (dzemànwɔdzi), the ancestors (wɔ tsɛmɛi kɛ wɔ nyɛmɛi), and humanity (adesai). GaDangmes believe that adesai continue to communicate with their wɔ tsɛmɛi kɛ wɔ nyɛmɛi, who play the role of intercessors on their behalf; wɔ tsɛmɛi kɛ wɔ nyɛmɛi communicate with the dzemànwɔdzi, to ensure the sustenance of adesai through the elements of nature, and that the blessings of the Earth fall upon the tribe; the dzemànwɔdzi are the messengers of Atta Naa Nyɔŋmɔ, and communicate messages to and from the Divine. In the same way that the dzemànwɔdzi serve as Atta Naa Nyɔŋmɔ’s messengers, the priesthood - of wulɔmɛi and djemeli - serve as messengers of the dzemànwɔdzi, and translate the will of the 'spirits of nature' for GaDangme. In order to adhere to these fundamental religious beliefs, the priesthood were required to perform rituals; as a means through which to retain, reestablish and/or remain in a harmonious relationship with the Universe.
The strict observance of ritual became central to the 'religious experience' of the priesthood, who then transmitted these rituals throughout GaDangme. The priesthood also received divine revelation in the form of Stools - considered to be the vessels of sacred rituals - and dispersed them among the leadership to form tribal clans. This gave rise to a tribal system of spiritual governance, in which a family (weku) or family-groups (wekui) operated as religious groups and derived their weku subaŋ or family character, from the rituals prescribed by the Stool of their clan. The ancient weku subaŋ of GaDangme clans has evolved into what contemporary GaDangme practice as kusum; a collective expression of beliefs, rituals and national identity. The word kusum is a derivative of the phrase weku subaŋ - where the ku in weku means group, and the su in subaŋ denotes actions; the way in which one does something or behaves. When the essence of the words ku and su are joined to form kusum, it translates to group actions/practices or collective behavior. The word ku also means to return, and as a verb transmutes kusum from a descriptive word into an active principal; one that highlights the importance of returning to ancient wisdom, and emphasizes the performance of ancient ritual - as a behavioral expression of a nation's higher virtues. In present day, the priesthood are still involved in the translation of messages, perform as intercessors and live monastic lives on behalf of GaDangme. They have now expanded the leadership to raise maŋtsɛmɛi and maŋnyɛmɛi (kings and queens); to whom they have delegated secular matters, trained in ancient kusum, and initiated as the receivers or keepers of kusum (kusum to lɔi); while they remain the leaders of kusum - those who walk in front of kusum (kusum hiɛ nyiɛ lɔi).
Maŋnyɛ Klo Dodue has been initiated by the kusum hiɛ nyiɛ lɔi, and received her title as Kusum Maŋnyɛ to communicate her unique position among their ranks. Maŋnyɛ Klo Dodue embodies GaDangme kusum by transliterating ancient wisdom, in the expression of the feminine. Maŋnyɛ Klo Dodue leads a royal priestess-hood, in which kusum is not only practiced through the performance of ancient ritual, but is also regarded as the source through which spiritual enlightenment is channeled. Within the priesthood kusum embodies the masculine essence, which is primarily concerned with training and the transfer of knowledge. However, within the priestess-hood, kusum embodies the feminine essence, which is devoted to the tenets and traditions of wisdom. Among the feminine, kusum is embraced as a virtue and produces another derivative, more attuned to the feminine polarity; where the ku in kusum retains the meaning of group, but subaŋ is replaced with the word suumɔ (love), to promote the understanding that kusum is also a conduit for group love, and nurtures amity and oneness among the tribe. Both strong character and genuine love are needed to engender the true power of kusum. Maŋnyɛ Klo Dodue harnesses both the masculine and feminine attributes of kusum in her craft, and was bestowed the title of Kusum Maŋnyɛ, as the progenitor of a new expressions of kusum.
In her role among the kusum hiɛ nyiɛ lɔi, Maŋnyɛ Klo Dodue has devoted her life to SERVICE, has been appointed as a religious SAFEGUARD and is distinguished in her SCHOLARSHIP of customary rites and performative rituals. As a messenger of the spirits of nature (dzemànwɔdzi), Maŋnyɛ Klo Dodue serves Nyɔɔŋtsɛlɛ (Moon) and interprets her will via her weekly movement, monthly phases and relationships to other luminaries in the Heavens. Maŋnyɛ Klo Dodue has instituted Moon Wisdom as a theosophical teaching within GaDangme kusum; while also transliterating this wisdom as part of her own religious tradition. Maŋnyɛ Klo Dodue also plays an intercessory role within the realm of religious relations, and is a safeguard for the liminal space between cultural practice and religious observance. As an intercessor, Maŋnyɛ Klo Dodue aims to foster better understanding between the followers of GaDangme religions and the followers of Abrahamic religions; with the hope of building a bridge between acquired knowledge and embodied wisdom. With regard to scholarship, Maŋnyɛ Klo Dodue is a writer of GaDangme cultural lore, a memoratologist, astrographer, and somatic intuitive. Her areas of study include GaDangme Kroŋ, GaDangme metaphysics - the susuma, kla and gbɔmɔtso (soul, spirit and body) - with emphasis on GaDangme cosmology, astrography, and astrology.