Maame Odo, a traditional singer from Ghana known for her rendition of “Nnwonkoro,” has discussed the risks associated with her line of work.
The singer, who makes a living by paying people to cry at funerals, has said that she also writes original songs that are performed at funerals to mock a rival team—a move that nearly led to her being lynched a few years ago.
The Nnwonkoro singer claims that she was flogged by thugs on the orders of a widow whom she had sung a song at her husband’s burial in retaliation for.
Maame Ode revealed that while performing, one of the deceased’s wives had hired her for her services and jabbed the other woman.
“That is my responsibility; if your opponent hires me at your late husband’s funeral before you do, then you should prepare to die. If you don’t take care, you might flee the burial grounds as I sing to tease you.
“I shall work as hard as I can once the first or second wife hires me to spite a widow. I received payment. I’ll floor you at the burial if you employ someone who isn’t on my level.
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“I have songs for spouses of all ranks, and I once came dangerously close to being killed at a funeral in Abuakwa. I was put in a cage and had no idea that the other widow had military and goons on board. Despite being flogged, someone fortunately hurried me into a car and took me directly to the Abuakwa Police Station. I would have been put to death if not for God’s mercy “In an interview with the Delay Show that aired on August 7, 2022, Maame Ode spoke candidly in Twi.
In addition, the Ghanaian woman who has worked in the field for more than ten years remarked that she is moved by the corpse when discussing the cause of the tears at funerals.
The Ghanaian woman, who has worked in the field for more than ten years, added that she is moved by the corpse placed in state when speaking about the cause of people’s emotions at funerals.
“All it takes for me to start crying is to look at the corpse’s face, “She remarked. “The amount we charge depends on how many days we have to cry. We occasionally cry for three days before taking paracetamol for our headaches, she continued in the interview.
