The cock sacrifice. The Akan or generally ancient natives believes that, the soul leaving ones body through the mouth. He’s trying to catch the sunsum (shadow soul) of the cock.
In Asantes culture when a prominent person or a royal dies, this is commonly seen.
A cock is an important animal. It’s crow wakes us up in the morning every day.
Despite its important and majestic, its powerless in the jaw of death.
The cock signifies man, and the man signifies death.
Thus is to remind us that we are just mere mortals. No matter our importance, power and significance in society we cannot escape death.
This remind me of Akan saying “Nipa bɛgyee ne din kɛkɛ na w’ammɛ pre nyinkyerɛ” which means a man was born to seek the glory of his name not long life.
Source: The Kingdom Of Asante/ Kofi Kakari
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