KPELE IS HOLISTIC but closed end system of vital forces which are controlled by laws and principles. These forces are placed in hierarchical order to form a chain.
At the apex of this chain is the Supreme Being (Ataa Naa Nyɔŋmɔ) who created all things for himself and by himself (Wɔbɔlɔ Maawu). Ataa means father, provider and protected and Naa connotes feminine compassionate life giving persona. He is the Taolɔ Naanɔ Nyonmor. This supreme being is a personified creative life force which every other life forces in the chain depends on.
Below him is the Divine Beings (Dzemawɔjii). These are spirits of nature and are not fetish but spirit beings. They are considered as Angels who administer to the needs of man.
Below this vital force is the Ancestral Shades. According to the concept of man, man (Gbɔmɔ Adesa) is made up of two main components: the physical entity (Gbɔmɔtso) and the spiritual entity (Soul and Spirit called Susuma kɛ Mumɔ). At death and upon performance of the final rites,the spiritual entity attains its ultimate social status as Ancestral Shade (Sisai) and is ushered into the underworld (Gbohiiadzeng) to be gathered with other kinsmen in the underworld. They intercede for their living kindred.
Below this force is Human being. Man is related to God in three different way:
1. Through creation
2. Through the breadth of God that dwells in man
3. Through man’s destiny which is tied to God. Kpele system believes in Essence before Existence. Which means every Gbɔmɔ Adesa has a predetermined destiny by the Supreme Being.
Below this is nature (every other created thing or every other matter).
These concepts are well expounded in the Kpele songs.
The problem of man is therefore how to establish harmonious relationship between his Spiritual entity and these vital forces in this closed end chain. This is established thru worship and Service with adherence to the principles and laws governing the System.
Nungua is the head of the CULT.
Contributor: Nii Amasah Osakonor Agblie-Borquaye.
Source: Nationaltymes.com
