Document #1266915
IRB – Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (Author)
Information on the Naabour fetish could not
be found among the sources consulted by the DIRB. However, the
following information on fetish shrines in Ghana was provided by a
history professor at James Madison University in Harrisonburg,
Virginia on 15 April 1996.
Fetish shrines are found throughout Ghana
and are overseen by a chief priest or priestess. The shrines are
used by believers to obtain good fortune, to treat illness, and to
ward off ill omens and misfortune; they also can perform
divinations.
A chief priest or priestess may be chosen
from within the family, if a family is responsible for maintaining
the shrine, or as a result of a divine calling which might manifest
itself as a sickness or chronic illness that cannot be healed, yet
does not kill or spirit possession. The latter may be interpreted
if someone remains ill or is unable to succeed at various tasks,
notwithstanding serious effort on their part. As well, a series of
misfortunes befalling an individual may indicate spirit possession.
Whoever, is responsible for maintaining the shrine will be
responsible for selecting the chief priest or priestess; for
example, where shrines are associated with a chieftaincy, the
chieftain can designate the next priest or priestess. If an
individual so chosen refuses the position, it would be a disgrace
to the family. As well, a refusal may be interpreted as a rebuffing
of the prestige and authority of the chieftain and custom. An
individual who refuses to become chief priest or priestess may
suffer intimidation or be threatened or the family may lose land
previously granted to them by the chieftain. Also possible is the
threat that the spirit of the shrine will exact its own punishment
against the unwilling candidate, which might result in the person
being poisoned or other misfortune occurring.
Generally, a chief priest or priestess
connotes a position of some local influence and prestige,
especially if the shrine is associated with a local chieftaincy or
has a respectable reputation. Usually the government pays no
attention to fetish shrines unless illegal activity is associated
with the shrine.
Additional and/or corroborating information
could not be found among the sources consulted by the DIRB.
This Response was prepared after
researching publicly accessible information currently available to
the DIRB within time constraints. This Response is not, and does
not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular
claim to refugee status or asylum.
Reference
Professor of history, James Madison
University, Harrisonburg, Virginia. 15 April 1995. Telephone
interview with Ghana specialist.
e1996/04/00