199th Odwira comes off Monday with Yagbonwura as special guest
This year’s Odwira Festival of the chiefs and people of Akuapem is expected to take off next Monday, October 20 and end on November 2.
The event, which will be held at the forecourt of the traditional headquarters of the Akropong Omanhene, Oseadeeyo Kwasi Akuffo III, is expected to be graced for the first time by the Overlord of the Gonja Kingdom, Yagbonwura Bii-Kunuto Jewu Soale I.
This was announced by the Krontihene of Akuapem, Osahene Boafo Ansah III, in an interaction with journalists at Akropong-Akuapem in the Eastern Region earlier this month.
He said the Okuapehene, Oseadeeyo Kwasi Akuffo III, would sit in state to receive homages from his subjects, as well as other high-powered dignitaries and foreigners.
Apart from that, Osahene Boafo Ansah indicated that the Yagbonwura, who has been invited, would be the Special Guest of Honour at the annual festival.
Closely related
That, he explained, was because the Gonjas and the Guans, who form part of the Akuapem Kingdom (The indigenes of 15 out of the 17 towns that form Okuapeman have Guan lineage), are closely related to the Akuapems and, therefore, have many things in common.
“We have common traditional values, a common goal and a common cultural heritage to preserve for posterity,” he said.
Osahene Boafo Ansah, who is also the Senior Divisional Chief of Akuapem, stated that the invitation extended to the Gonja Overlord was delivered by a high-powered delegation he led on September 25.
Other members of the delegation were Nana Amoako Ampong I, Ahweresea Ampomoahene; Nana Odei Asiedu, Kronti Ankobeahene of Larteh Ahenease; Gyasekyeame Ayesu Pentemprem of Larteh; Presiako Abetia Kwapong, Abotekyi Gyasehene and the Okuapehene Ntotoyehene, among others.
The Krontihene of Akuapem said he was highly elated about the warm reception accorded to the delegation and highlighted the deep cultural and historical ties between the two kingdoms.
"We have a common tradition, culture, goal and a common heritage to protect.
"The Akuapehene cannot do without you, the Gonja Overlord, and cannot do without the people of Gonja land," Osahene Boafo Ansah stated.
Peaceful festival
"Since the Okuapehene was enstooled, we have been celebrating the Odwira Festival in a peaceful atmosphere without any problem, and this year’s will also be organised in the same way to enable dignitaries from all walks of life to attend.”
A scene at the 2024 Odwira Grand Durbar
"Visitors from the diaspora, as well as the Akuapem indigenes living in Ghana and abroad, will be in attendance to celebrate the annual event," Osahene Boafo Ansah stated.
Osahene Boafo Ansah said this year's Odwira Festival would be unique and a peaceful one and, therefore, called on all Akuapems, both at home and in the diaspora, to be in attendance.
Odwira
The Akuapem Odwira Festival, which was originally instituted in 1826 by Nana Addo Dankwa I, will mark its 199th anniversary this year on the theme: “Preserving our Culture, Securing our Future”, and next year, 2026, will mark the 200th anniversary, which is a historic milestone that will also be celebrated in a grand style.
The Odwira Festival was instituted to celebrate the victory of the Akuapem people over the Ashanti army in the Battle of Katamansu in 1826.
The word Odwira, therefore, means cleansing or purification, and the festival involves rituals to cleanse the community, its people and their ancestral stools, symbolising a fresh start for a new year.
Celebration of the festival is also a time to honour and pay respect to ancestors through rituals like libations and "feeding the ancestors", particularly during the harvest season.
The Odwira period is also a time to celebrate a bountiful harvest, and is used to express gratitude to the gods for agricultural bounty, traditionally linked to the new yam harvest.
Odwira further brings communities together, encouraging unity and reflection among families and clans.
It's a time for people to return to their hometowns to celebrate with family.
The occasion always turns out as a vibrant display of Ghanaian culture, featuring traditional drumming and dancing and the wearing of elaborate Kente cloth and royal regalia.
The festival has grown to become a two-week-long celebration that blends traditional practices with modern cultural activities, becoming a major tourist attraction and a way to promote Ghanaian heritage to the diaspora.
Activities
Activities lined up for this year’s festivities include a path clearing on October 20, out-dooring of the new yam to usher in the Odwira Festival on October 21, remembering the departed - Awukudae, and a visit to the stool house on October 22.
There will also be an affirmation of allegiance to the Okuapehene by the divisional chiefs and a traditional curfew on Thursday, October 23.
On Friday, October 24, a grand durbar will be held for the Okuapehene to sit in state to receive tributes from high-powered delegations and important dignitaries from all walks of life, as well as a palanquin procession.
There will be a fufu party on Saturday, October 25, a thanksgiving service on Sunday, October 26 and a Fida Fofie event (the last rituals performed at the end of every Odwira celebration) at the Okuapehene's palace on Friday, October 31.
