ABOMEY is an ancient town located in the Central part of the West African nation of Benin. The town is well-known for its legendary history. The protagonist of this history is the 19th century King of Abomey; Gbehanzin. While on a linguistic tour of Benin, our team (which comprised a selection of students and facilitators from Alliance Française, Accra) paid a visit to the palace of this legendary King. The palace is recognised and maintained by UNESCO as one of its heritage sites.
Gbehanzin was a dreaded king whose authority was ceded in his military strength as well as spiritual prowess. He was reputed to have married over 3000 women and had countless biological offspring. According to our tour guide, Gbehanzin’s army comprised well-trained, heavily-built ladies known as Amazon. These women fought battles on behalf of the kingdom and were not allowed to marry.
We learnt (again from our tour guide) that the huge palace edifice was constructed using clay mixed with blood drawn from slaves. These slaves were made to knead the clay (mixed with broken bottles) with their bare feet and hands. The blood which oozed from the soles of their feet was used to mix the clay for the construction of the palace. Slaves did this until they ran out of blood.
We were taken round the entire palace to see some of the military and mystical relics of this kingdom. Gbehanzin ruled his kingdom with iron hands. Gbehanzin is the epitome of leaders who are only interested in tightening their grip on power and feeding their whims and caprices. Leaving the palace, I slipped into a pensive mood and asked myself a question, “What was the legacy of Gbehanzin?” I felt that Gbehanzin had not left a legacy that directly benefits the present generation of Abomey indigenes. He did not see his influential position as an opportunity to enrich the lives of the people he led. He was power as a tool for self-aggrandisement.
I left Abomey with a determination to use my advantages and privileges in life to make a positive impact in the lives of people I interact with. Leaders must use their influence to make society a better place.
How can one use power effectively to leave a lasting legacy?
1. Recognize that power comes from above, not from self. Every person with any form of authority over a group of people must realize that power is given by God. When we have power, we should not behave as mini gods. We don’t create power. We receive power. People who find themselves in leadership should aspire to use power as trustees and not as architects. If we don’t use our power well, we will lose it.
2. Realize that power is exercised on behalf of people, not over them. Power does not make us masters. It makes us servants. When you have power, you do not lord it over people. You use it to meet the needs and aspirations of people. Leaders must understand that the positions they occupy are positions of trust and privilege.
HAVE you ever come across this statement by 19th century journalist Margaret Fuller that “If you have knowledge, let others light their candles by it?” I would adjust the statement and say to you, “If you have opportunity, help others to create their own opportunities.” If you find yourself at the top, pull people to join you up there. If God blesses you with wealth, help others to be wealthy.
The Gbehanzins of this world perceive that the only way to shine is to keep everybody in darkness. They consider that their relevance in life comes from making others depend on them all the time. But I see that by helping others find their feet in life, we enhance our own capacity to construct an enduring legacy.
The non-Gbehanzins agree with Albert Einstein that “The value of people should be seen in what they give to the world, not in what they are able to receive.” Former President John Kennedy of the United States put Einstein’s view in another way, “Ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country.” I say to you, “Don’t worry so much about what you will get in life. Be concerned about what you can give to life.” Instead of being a Gbehanzin, be a Kennedy or an Einstein. Better still, be you!
© 2011 Terry Mante
Accra, Ghana
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