ETYMOLOGY OF Maŋnyɛ
Maŋnyɛ is the title bestowed upon GaDangme women, who have been initiated into the institution of Chieftaincy. When translated to English maŋnyɛ means Queenmother or simply, Queen. However, when spoken in the Ga and Dangme languages (GaDangbe), the title of maŋnyɛ carries with it a far greater essence, that has now been reduced to a single word. In modern GaDangbe, maŋ is a noun that can mean either nation, country and continent; it denotes one's sense of identity and identification with one's homeland. Maŋ is used in the title maŋnyɛ to communicate that a maŋnyɛ is a home for her people, and her presence must be a tangible experience of home. Nyɛ is a noun that means mother; in both the literal sense of one's mother and in the archetypal sense - the creatrix, the life-bearer and the divine nurturer. Nyɛ is used in title of maŋnyɛ to highlight the divine feminine attributes to be emulated by a maŋnyɛ; that is to create fertile ground for her people to grow, bring-forth new opportunities for her people to prosper, and nurture the common-will for the benefit of future generations. So much of the essence of maŋnyɛ has been lost in translation. By the same token, the English translation of maŋnyɛ has limited the evolution of Mannye as title, and does not currently reflect the dynamism of the role. As a point of redress, and in order to better understand Maŋnyɛ Klo Dodue I in her roles as new-fashioned maŋnyɛ, the following definition has been provided.
MODERN DEFINITION OF Maŋnyɛ
maŋnyɛ
/mang-nyē/
noun
noun: maŋnyɛ; plural noun: maŋnyɛmɛi
1. an enstooled GaDangme woman who represents her nation, country and continent as a queenmother.
“Maŋnyɛ Klo Dodue is the Dipo and Kusum Queenmother of GaDangme Land; an African queenship, established and vested in Ghana; with traditional authority in Togo and Benin”
2. Feminine ruler (queen).
“Maŋnyɛ Klo Dodue holds the only Ancestral Stool with a mandate for GaDangme Land in its entirety”
3. GaDangme female royalty.
“Maŋnyɛ Klo Dodue is a Contemporary Monarch, creating a feminine approach to African Chieftaincy”
4. exemplary GaDangme womanhood.
“Maŋnyɛ Klo Dodue is a master of the feminine arts; exemplifying grace, wisdom and vision”