Ngmayem festival launched - Grand durbar Saturday
The 2025 Ngmayem festival has been launched at Manya Jorpanya in the Shai Osodoku Traditional Area of the Greater Accra Region, with a call on investors and tourists to visit the area to experience unique cultural ppractices and indigenous customs at the festival.
The Senior Asafoatse of the Shai State and Chief of Manya Jorpanya, Nene Dr Teidjahene Korabo IV, made the call during officials protocols to launch the festival scheduled to be held on: “Upholding Our Cultural Values in the Digital Era”.
Ngmayem festival
The Ngmayem festival is celebrated by the chiefs and people of Manya Jorpanya as a commemoration to the end to a famine period experienced by their forebears and also to pray for bumper harvest in subsequent years.
During the festival, millet is sprinkled on the people to indicate the actual end to the year-long famine which plagued them and left the people in difficulties.
Addressing the media during the launch, Nene Korabo said this year’s Ngmayem festival would witness a diversity of culture, exchange of ideas from religious groups, native customs and traditions, coupled with interesting rendition of historical accounts.
The display of traditional dance by the young ladies of Manya Jorpanya under the watch of the traditional priestesses and older women would be feature prominently as part of the cultural exhibition to the public.
Activities
He said the week-long celebration, which began yesterday, was scheduled to start with the arrival of indigenes of Manya from both the diaspora and other areas of the country.
The township will experience a massive clean-up exercise to be led by the traditional authorities this morning and a film show later in the day to create an ambience for unity among the people.
There will be a day of remembrance of the dead on Wednesday, September 24, 2025 for families who lost their loved ones to be remembered for their good works towards the development of the area.
On Thursday, the entire town folks will visit the Shai Hills, the ancestral home of their forebears, where indigenes would learn about some sacrifices made by their forebears and the roles they played in ensuring that they had their freedom form their enemies and the peace of mind they currently enjoy to conduct their trade without fear and panic.
Nene Korabo said on Friday, staff of Narh Bita Hospital in Tema would conduct free health screening in the town for various medical conditions and prescribe drugs for treatment.
The chiefs and people of Manya Jorpanya will have their grand durbar on Saturday as the annual festival reaches its climax, reminding the people of their common destiny and shared aspirations to see to the development of their communities.
On Sunday, Manya Jorpanya will have a non-denominational thanksgiving service to thank God for his blessings and protection.
Nene Korabo said the week-long activities would be climaxed on Monday, September 29, 2025 with a well-planned picnic where there would be a display of dishes, a football competition and other worthwhile activities to reward winners.
