Ghana Month: Vibrant festivals showcasing our rich heritage

GHANA Month is swinging into full gear tomorrow and the spotlight is on everything authentically Ghanaian from locally made foods, clothing, indigenous artworks to our cultural celebrations.

This annual initiative, spearheaded by the government, encourages Ghanaians to embrace homegrown products and traditions.  

One of the most compelling aspects of Ghanaian culture is its festivals, which reflect the deep-rooted heritage, history and identity of its people.

 In this week’s edition of Graphic Showbiz, we highlight some interesting festivals that capture the spirit of Ghana

Hogbetsotso (Anloga, Volta Region)

Celebrated every first Saturday in November, Hogbetsotso which means ‘coming from Hogbe’ or ‘festival of exodus’ commemorates the migration of the Anlo people from the tyranny of King  Agorkoli of Notsie to their present home.

 The festival is marked with grand durbars, colourful processions, and cultural performances.  

 Aboakyer (Winneba, Central Region)

Aboakyer is celebrated by the people of  Simpa or Winneba (Effutus) to mark their safe migration from Timbuktu to their present home.

The highlight of Aboakyer is  where Winneba’s two oldest  Asafo companies vie to capture a live deer with bare hands which is sacrificed to the oracles of the Penkye Otu Fetish.  

 Ohum (Akyem Abuakwa, Eastern Region)  

Celebrated in the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Area, Ohum comes off twice in a year–Ohumkan and Ohumkyire in June/July and September/October respectively.

It marks the first yam harvest and offers prayers for blessings in the coming year. It also celebrates the rich history and legacy of Akyem Abuakwa with traditional music, dance and colourful ceremonies.  

 Asafotufiam (Ada, Greater Accra Region)

Held in the first week of August, Asafotufiam  festival of the people of Ada honours the bravery of their ancestors and warriors who fought in historic wars to establish Ada.

The festival  which draws a big crowd to Ada features mock battles, drumming, singing of war songs, dancing, firing of musketry among many others.  

 Fetu Afahye (Cape Coast, Central Region)

Celebrated annually on the first Saturday in September, Fetu Afahye was instituted to commemorate the end of a devastating epidemic.

Fetu Afahye serves as a reminder to maintain cleanliness. The colourful festival is marked with activities such as vibrant processions, cultural dances, purification rituals among others and climaxed with a grand durbar.

Odwira (Akropong-Akwapim, Eastern Region)

Held in the months of  September/ October, Odwira is the re-staging of Akwapim sacred traditions, myths and olden day legends.

It celebrates a historic victory over the Ashantis and symbolises purification and renewal.

Odwira, also celebrated by Aburi, Larteh, Amonokrom, Ahwerease etc.draws people from across the country to participate in spiritual rites, durbars, and communal feasts.

 Kundum (Nzema, Western Region)

Kundum marks the harvest season and serves as a time to remember the dead, cleanse the community and give thanks to God for food abundance.

The festival features drumming, dancing, and masquerades, bringing the community together in gratitude and celebration.  

One unique feature of the Kundum festival is, it moves from town to town so if you miss it in a particular week, you are sure to catch it in another place.

 Akwasidae  (Asantehene’s Palace, Kumasi)

Akwasidae is held every six weeks in accordance to the Akan calendar and is deeply rooted in Ashanti traditions.

The festival honours ancestors and the Asantehene, with rituals conducted at the palace. It also marks significant agricultural events and promotes unity among the Ashanti people.  

The last Akwasidae is set aside for the celebration of Adae Kese, a very important ocassion which comes off in the first week of January.

 Homowo (Greater Accra Region)

Celebration of Homowo which means ‘to hoot’ or jeer at hunger’ by the Ga people starts at the end of April and it is in remembrance of a historic faminie they faced.

The festival features several cultural elements including rituals, sprinkling of the traditional kpokpoi, drumming and dancing, as communities come together to celebrate resilience and abundance.

Damba (Northern Region)

Damba Festival is celebrated under the lunar month of Damba by  Dagbon, Mamprugu, Gonja among others to commemorate the birth and naming of Prophet Muhammad.

However, it is primarily observed as a celebration of chieftaincy, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of the people of the Northern and Upper West Regions. It is marked with prayers, fasting, drumming and dancing.

 Apoo ( Bono, Bono East Regions)

The Apoo Festival is celebrated by Techiman and Wenchi. It is a traditional purification ceremony held annually in September to cleanse the community of social evils.

 It serves as a time for reflection, unity and the promotion of moral values as well as gain favour from royal ancestors to ensure bumper harvest at the end of the year.