‘Let No Black Cat Cross Our Path’: An Introduction to Ga Rituals of Affliction

Abstract

Although much has been said about Ga rituals by earlier scholars such as Ammah, Kilson, and Field, no direct and comprehensive literature exists that deals specifically with Ga rituals of affliction. Rituals of affliction are measures by which cultures attempt to deal with the problem of ‘affliction’. All cultures have a different way in which affliction is explained and dealt with. This article explores Ga rituals of affliction based on an analysis of one text line in Ga libation prayers, ‘Let no black cat cross our path’ (alͻnte diŋ ko akafo wͻteŋ).