One of the most attractive aspects of Ghanaian Cultural life is that of the colourful traditional festivals and durbars which are frequently held in all parts of the country. the festivals reveal some common features and beliefs. Through these festivals, the people remember their past leaders and ask for help and protection. Festivals are also held in order to purify the whole state so that the people can enter the New Year with confidence and hope.
Thousands of people including foreigners from all walks of life travel over the country to witness the festivals. All told, the festivals have effect of creating in the people a feeling of pride in their cultural heritage and spiritual affinity.
When you are at a festival try and visit a home. The famous hospitality of the Ghanaian, his warm friendliness and sincerity as well as the distinctive charm of the Ghanaian housewife are best experienced during festive occasions.
ADAE AND AKWASIDAE
The pomp and pageantry of the Ashanti Kingdom is most vividly brought to life during beautiful Adae festivals, which are held at the palace. These are occasions when the king, riding in a palanquin and adorned with gold ornaments comes out to receive homage from his sub-chiefs and people.
It is a spectacular sight to watch the colourful canopies and umbrellas, the skilful drummers, dancers, horn-blowers and praise singers at these regular festivals, held in honour of their ancestral spirits.
Date: January Celebrated once every six weeks, throughout the year.
Venue: Kumasi, Ashanti Region (272 km north of Accra).
EDINA BURONYA
This is the native version of Christmas, which is exclusively celebrated by the People of Elmina ( Edina). The Festival was influenced by the Portuguese settlers who celebrated a similar event every January.
For the people of Edina, it is a period of purification, sacrifices to the gods, remembrance of the dead and the welcoming of a New Year. Families pour libation and invite friends to participate in dining and merry-making throughout the town.
Date: 1st Thursday of the New Year
Venue: Elmina, Central Region 157 km West of Accra
NGMAYEM
This is the annual traditional harvest and thanksgiving festival of the Krobo people. It is celebrated by the people of Manya and Yilo Krobo in the towns of Odumase and Somanya.
Date: March/April
Venue: Krobo Odumase, Somanya, Eastern Region 80 km. east of Accra.
GOLOGO
This festival is celebrated in March by the Talensi of Tong-Zug just before the planting of grain. During the three-day festival, sacrifices are offered to the gods for plentiful rain and good harvest.
Date: March
Venue: Upper East Region
DIPO
A Puberty Festival by the Krobos (of Somanya, Odumase) when girls at adolescent age are initiated into womanhood with a parade. The attire of the girls is close to nudity.
Date: May (1st Saturday)
Venue: Krobo Odumase, Eastern Region. 80 km. east of Accra.
ABOAKYER (ANTELOPE HUNTING)
In exciting and famous hunting festival in Ghana. Two hunting groups set out to bring back home a live antelope and the first group to arrive with its catch and to present it to the Chief and elders is declared the winner. It is a lifetime experience for a tourist.
Date: May (1st Saturday)
Venue: Winneba, Central Region-66km. West of Accra in the Central Region.
BAKATUE (REGATTA)
It is celebrated by the people Elmina, traditional area, this colourful festival attracts tourists from far and near. There is a Royal procession of Chiefs and Queenmothers, most of them riding in well-decorated palanquins through the principal streets to a sacred shrine where the Chief's Linguist pours libation and sprinkles sacred food. There is Regatta on the Benya Lagoon.
Date: July (1st Thursday)
Venue: Elmina, 157 km West of Accra, in the Central Region.
ASAFOTUFIAM
Asafotufiam is an annual festival celebrated by the people of Ada to commemorates the victories of their warriors in battle and mourn those who lost their lives. The historic events are re-enacted. There are also purification ceremonies and a durbar of Chiefs.
Date: Last Thursday in July to the first weekend of August.
Venue: Ada. Greater Accra Region. -71km east of Accra.
ODAMBEA
Celebrated by the Chiefs and people of the Saltpond (Nkusukum) Traditional Area. This event commemorates the migration of the Nkusukum people to their present settlement. Odambea means 'fortified link'. A special feature is the re-enactment of the ancient life styles of the people.
Date: Last Saturday of August
Venue: Saltpond, Central Region -119km West of Accra.
DAMBA
Ushers in the new yam. Originally linked with Islam to mark the birth of Mohammed, the two-day festival has gradually taken on a traditional rather than Islamic tone, with pageantry and showmanship.
Date: August
Venue: Gonjaland, Mamprusi land and Nanumbaland, Upper West Region.
KUNDUM
Kundum is celebrated by the coastal people of Western region during the period August-November. The ethnic groups - the Ahantas and the Nzemas - celebrate at weekly intervals. Rituals include purification of stools and prayers to the ancestors for a good harvest.
Date: August/November
Venue: Kundum, Western Region about 229 km west of Accra.
HOMOWO (CARNIVAL)
One of the gayest festivals celebrated by the people of Ga ( Accra) Traditional Area. Ceremonies include the procession through the streets of Accra of all twins and the traditional sprinkling of the festive food (Kpoikpoi) to the gods and ancestors of the Ga State.
Date: August
Venue: Accra, Osu, Labadi etc Greater Accra Region
FETU AFAHYE (CARNIVAL)
A very colourful festival. Like all grand festivals, there is a procession of Chiefs drumming and dancing and firing of musketry but there is a uniqueness in the traditional attire of the various warrior groups and the slaughtering of a cow in public for the 77 gods of Oguaa ( Cape Coast).
Date: September (1st Saturday)
Venue: Cape Coast,144 km West of Accra in the Central Region
KOBINE
This post harvest festival gives thanks to the gods for a bountiful harvest. It is normally celebrated in the month of September by the Walas and the people of Lawra. The three-day festival culminates in feasting and dancing.
Date: September
Venue: Wa, Lawra in the Upper West Region.
ODWIRA (DURBAR OF CHIEFS)
A period of remembrance and thanksgiving to the gods for their mercies and renewal of family and social ties. It is celebrated amidst pomp and pageantry with chiefs and queens riding in palanquines.
Date: September/October
Venue: Akropong - Akuapim. Eastern Region
APOO
A festival for the purification of the people to rid them of social evil and bless them with a bumper harvest. It's a weeklong celebration filled with cultural activities and family reunions.
Date: March/April
Venue: Techiman, Wenchi
HOGBETSOTSO (WAR FESTIVAL)
Celebrated in commemoration of the migration of Anlos from a tyrannical ruler to their present homeland. An essential aspect of the festival is dancing and drumming and general merry making.
Date: November/December
Venue: Anloga, 140 km. East of Accra, in the Volta Region
KWAFIE
A purification ceremony, the highlight of which is a large bonfire in the courtyard. It is believed that the Dormaas brought fire to Ghana and this legend is symbolically represented in a bonfire. There is a durbar of chiefs and family reunions.
Date: November/December
Venue: Dormaa Ahenkro, Berekum, Nsuatre, Brong Ahafo Region
FIOK
The annual Fiok festival is celebrated by the Builsas of Sandema. This is a War festival, which re-enacts the ancient heroic exploits of the Builsas. Amid drumming and dancing, the gods are invoked for protection and a bountiful harvest.
Date: December
Venue: Sandema; 838km north of Accra in the Upper East Region
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