Bring back Odambea festival to August - Saltpond concerned youth to chiefs

The youth of the Nkusukum Traditional Area in the Mfantseman Municipality have called on their chiefs to restore the annual Odambea festival to its traditional late August celebration period.

This call to action arose after the chiefs recently decided to shift the festival from its long-established date in August to a new date in October.

The decision stirred concern among the youth, who felt that this change threatened to disrupt the cultural and historical continuity that Odambea had long represented.

The decision to shift the Odambea festival to October has not only raised concerns about cultural continuity but has also sparked fears about the potential impact on the community's cohesion. 

Reason for change

During a media briefing held last Saturday, a prominent youth leader and concerned citizen of Nkusukum, Professor Ransford Gyampo, shed light on the rationale behind the chiefs' decision.

He explained that the primary reason for moving the Odambea festival to October was to avoid an overlap with the festival of the Abeadze Dominase Traditional Area, which was also celebrated around the same time in August.

However, Professor Gyampo emphasised that while the intention behind the date change might have been well-meaning, the impact on the Nkusukum community could be profound.

He stressed that the Odambea festival held deep cultural significance for the people of Nkusukum and that its timing was not merely a matter of convenience but a crucial element of its identity.

He observed that the festival, which was traditionally held at the end of August, had always been a time when the community came together to celebrate their heritage, honour their ancestors and strengthen the bonds that united them.

Professor Gyampo argued that both the Odambea festival and the Abeadze Dominase festival could be honoured and celebrated with equal fervour if careful planning and open dialogue were undertaken.

He suggested that with proper coordination, it would be possible to schedule the festivals in a way that respected both traditions, ensuring that neither was disregarded nor overshadowed.

He, therefore, called on the chiefs of the Nkusukum Traditional Area to reconsider their decision and restore the Odambea festival to its original date in August.

Effect of Change

Another prominent youth leader and indigene of Nkusukum, Ernest De-Graft Eggir,  pointed out that for generations, the Odambea festival had been celebrated in August, a time that aligned with the traditional agricultural cycle and the broader rhythms of life in Nkusukum.

Moving the festival to October, he argued, would, therefore, not only disrupt this alignment but also diminish the festival's cultural heritage, weakening the ties that bound the community together.

“Many members of the diaspora planned their annual trips home to coincide with the festival, seeing it as an opportunity to reconnect with their roots and participate in the cultural rituals that defined their identity,” he said.

He pointed out that by shifting the festival to October, the chiefs risked alienating indigenes of Nkusukum who might have found it difficult to adjust their schedules, leading to lower attendance and a less vibrant celebration.

Mr Egyir also expressed concern that the change of date could lead to divisions within the Nkusukum Traditional Area.

"The festival has always been a unifying force, bringing together people from all walks of life to celebrate their shared heritage. Any disruption to this tradition could create rifts within the community, undermining the very purpose of the festival, which is to strengthen communal bonds and promote unity.

"We, the youth, believe that our unity is our strength, and every step taken today reclaims our traditions. We are not just advocating for a change of date but for the preservation of our cultural identity and the future of our community.

“As it is said, people without knowledge of their history and culture are like a tree without roots. Our roots run deep, nourished by our ancestors' wisdom. Therefore, by bringing Odambea back to August, we honour our past and ensure our traditions continue to thrive for future generations," he said.

Youth involvement

The appeal to revert the Odambea festival to its traditional date is also part of a broader call for greater involvement of the youth in the decision-making processes within the Nkusukum Traditional Area.

Speaking on behalf of the youth, Mr Egyir stressed that they were not only the future custodians of their traditions but also active participants in the present.

He argued that the exclusion of the youth from critical decisions, such as the timing of the Odambea festival, posed a significant risk to the continuity of their cultural heritage.

Mr Egyir warned that a failure to involve the youth could lead to a generational rift, with younger members of the community feeling disconnected from the traditions that defined their identity for centuries.

"This disconnect could weaken the community's cohesion and make it more difficult to preserve the cultural practices that have been passed down through the ages," he cautioned.