Funeral procession of late Aku Uka in Taraba (Video)
Story from Ibraheem Hamza MUHAMMAD
In Jukun tradition, ‘Pankya’ is the transition of the Jukun King (Aku Uka), when he is dead. All descendants of the old Kwararafa kingdom pay their last respect to their supreme leader.
The Jukun are found in Taraba and Benue states respectively.
For over 50 years ago, the event was witnessed again on the 14th January 2022, in Wukari the headquarters of the Jukun Kingdom, where late Dr Shekarau Angyu Masa-Ibi Kuvyon II CON the supreme leader of the Jukun was escorted by his people to join his ancestors.
During the transition procession, young men ‘Akye’, hold sticks, drag it on the ground and hit all around, proclaiming to themselves that they are bonafide Jukuns.
A Jukun Adashu Abraham said, “The Chief was mounted on the horse supported by somebody on a horse moving to Nando to join his ancestors. At a point to Nando, only the person on the horse with corpse will advance and the person may not return alive.”
It is alleged that the sum of five million was offered to his family.
It could be recalled that on October 16, the Chief of Wukari otherwise known as Aku Uka, Dr Shekarau Angyu Masa Ibi, Kuvyo II was disclosed to have died.
READ ALSO: Taraba first-class monarch, Chief Aku Uka of Wukari dies at 84
The announcement on the death of Aku Uka was contained in a statement signed by Jolly Agbu Masa-Ibi Special Assistance on Media to the deceased.
According to him, the Aku Uka passed on at the age of 84 after ruling for 45 years.
Until his death, he was the Chairman Taraba State Council of traditional rulers.
He was also the Chancellor of Federal University, Lafia, Nasarawa State.
The deceased was a civil servant and later a businessman before he was elected to the throne in Wukari and leader of the Jukun ethnic group.
Watch the video below:
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