When Michael Jackson died, Americans (and people all over the world) recalled different Michaels, from the adorable 5 year old professio
nal to the acned, self-conscious teenager, the pale transformed Michael to the masked man heading to court or dancing across a stage. I remembered some of these, too, but my thoughts turned to a slightly different Michael: Chief Michael.
nal to the acned, self-conscious teenager, the pale transformed Michael to the masked man heading to court or dancing across a stage. I remembered some of these, too, but my thoughts turned to a slightly different Michael: Chief Michael. Yes, on a visit to West Africa on tour in 1992(Michael's first trip to Africa occured when he was 14), several community rulers in Ghana and the Ivory Coast awarded him chieftaincy titles. The Agni people of Ivory Coast's Lagoon Akan region enstooled him in the town of Krinjabo. I remember the continental criticisms t
hat he held his nose when he stepped off the plane at Abidjan, as if smelling something bad, and ignored the VIPs--but he was nonetheless lauded.
hat he held his nose when he stepped off the plane at Abidjan, as if smelling something bad, and ignored the VIPs--but he was nonetheless lauded.He sat on the gold-foiled stool of leadership in Krinjabo, and the black velvet crown-band ornamented with gold was placed on his head, his body wrapped in kente cloth. He beca
me, formally at least, a chief of the king of Sanwi, Nana Amon Ndoufou, who later visited him in Los Angeles while he was married to Lisa Marie Presley. Two days of funeral ceremonies were recently held at Sanwi in his honor.
me, formally at least, a chief of the king of Sanwi, Nana Amon Ndoufou, who later visited him in Los Angeles while he was married to Lisa Marie Presley. Two days of funeral ceremonies were recently held at Sanwi in his honor. In 2006, Jay-Z was made a chief in Ilorin, the northernmost Yorub
a kingdom in Nigeria. Ilorin's monarchy was taken over by the Fulani in the 19th century, and its Muslim rulers "turban" chiefs rather than crowning them. Jay-Z looked rather resplendent and right at home.
a kingdom in Nigeria. Ilorin's monarchy was taken over by the Fulani in the 19th century, and its Muslim rulers "turban" chiefs rather than crowning them. Jay-Z looked rather resplendent and right at home. The Jigga, the Hova was there not as a performer, but as the special UN envoy for the Water for Life project--but Kwara State citizens certainly know his music! The Emir of Ilorin gave him the title "Sarkin Waka" and he was dressed not as a chief, but as an emir himself--velvet embroidered cloak, gauze headgear and all. Like other Northern Nigerian 
rulers and chiefs, he mounted a decorated horse and, elevated, rode through town. Ilorin named a street in his honor.
rulers and chiefs, he mounted a decorated horse and, elevated, rode through town. Ilorin named a street in his honor.The meaning of the title "chief" varies from one part of Africa to another. To groups that have kings, like the Edo, the Yoruba, the Nupe or the Ashanti, a chief is a titled man who aids the king. In small-scale societies, like many of those in 
Sierra Leone, the chief may be the community leader.
Sierra Leone, the chief may be the community leader. Egalitarian societies like the Igbo use the title to signify someone whose has made significant contributions and is recognized as having high society, but has no political role.
Honorary chieftaincies are common is some societies, rare in others. Usually an honorary chief is a high-profile foreigner (which means outside the community, not just outside the country), who is honored by being lauded and brought into the "family." Some are famous figures like Akon, whose family is Senegalese, but was made a chief in Liberia last year. Not all are as well-known, and not all have such strong genetic ties to Africa.
Lynne Symonds of Britain's Norfolk, is the chief of the Mampreusi of
the Wulugu community in northern Ghana, a title awarded because of her help to the region. She started by organizing a book project to be sent to this region, one with lesser educational development. A library was established, as was a girls' educational center; health and farm information was distributed. Lynne's fellow Norfolkers have raised over 100,000 pounds (as well as in-kind items) for Wulugu since the 
project began a decade ago.
the Wulugu community in northern Ghana, a title awarded because of her help to the region. She started by organizing a book project to be sent to this region, one with lesser educational development. A library was established, as was a girls' educational center; health and farm information was distributed. Lynne's fellow Norfolkers have raised over 100,000 pounds (as well as in-kind items) for Wulugu since the 
project began a decade ago.The Kalabari Ijo gave long-time resident Robin Horton, an internationally-renowned anthropologist, a chieftaincy that is not just honorary. He has belonged to the community for many decades, married into it and participated as fully as someone born there.
And our very own Oliha Yiwama, who has a Saminaka title, has a 
Northern Edo title as well. Exploring traditional African medicine and divination in Nigeria for over twelve years, he became a chief in an Ishan/Esan village, an honor and responsibility he takes seriously. His emblems of chieftaincy--the ada and eben ceremonial swords, the coral beads, and protective materials--are with him in Nigeria and in his home state of Ohio, a proud symbol of his African American heritage and his accomplishments across the seas.
Northern Edo title as well. Exploring traditional African medicine and divination in Nigeria for over twelve years, he became a chief in an Ishan/Esan village, an honor and responsibility he takes seriously. His emblems of chieftaincy--the ada and eben ceremonial swords, the coral beads, and protective materials--are with him in Nigeria and in his home state of Ohio, a proud symbol of his African American heritage and his accomplishments across the seas.Bringing fame, assistance, and other services to one's community are honored in Africa, no matter one's birthplace. And if honor comes with obligation, well--it usually does!
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