Ghana is one of the African countries known for its rich culture. To showcase its rich culture, series of festivals are held annually.
Recently added to the festivals celebrated in Ghana is the Afrochella which is a fusion of African culture and music.
Let’s take a quick look at some of the most popular festivals hosted by Ghanaians every year.
Bugum Festival
Although the Bugum Festival was also linked with Islam, it has become a major event on the traditional calendar too.
It commemorates the flight of Naiyul-Lah Mohammed from Mecca into exile in Medina in AD658. The festival is celebrated in Dagbon, Gonja, Mamprusi, and Nanumba.
The events begin with processions from neighbouring villages. By nightfall, all the villagers converge at the Chief’s palace with lighted torches.
Following special invocations by the Chief, the ceremony illuminates the streets. Festive drumming and dancing continue until the early hours of the morning.
Edina Buronya Festival
This is the native version of Christmas which is exclusively celebrated by the people of Elmina (Edina) on the first Thursday of the New Year.
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 libations and invite friends to participate in dining, and merry-making, throughout the town.
Ngmayem Festival
This is the annual traditional harvest and thanksgiving festival of the Krobo people. It is celebrated in March-April by the people of Manya and Yilo Krobo in the towns of Krobo Odumase and Somanya, in the Eastern Region.
Gologo Festival
This festival is celebrated in March by the Talensis 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.
Dipo
A puberty festival by the people of Krobo (Somanya & Odumase), in the Eastern Region when girls at adolescent age are initiated into womanhood with a parade. The attire of the girls is close to nudity.
Aboakyir (Deer Hunt) Festival
“Aboakyir” literally, means “game hunting”. This popular festival is celebrated on the first Saturday of May by the chiefs and people of Winneba.
The festival begins with a competitive hunt between two traditional warrior groups in a nearby game reserve, where each tries to catch an antelope live.
It is an adventurous event to test the strength, bravery, determination and intuition of the two rival groups.
The winner presents the catch to the Paramount Chief who sits in state with the sub-chiefs and subjects. The antelope is sacrificed as an invocation for a good harvest and a bountiful fishing season.
Adae and Akwasidae Festivals
The pomp and pageantry of the Ashanti kingdom is most vividly brought to life during beautiful Adae festivals which are held at the palace once every 6 weeks.
These are occasions when the King, riding in a palanquin and adorned with all his gold ornaments, comes out to receive the homage of his sub-chiefs and people.
It is a spectacular sight to watch the colouful canopies and umbrellas, the skillful drummers, dancers, horn-blowers, and praise-singers at these regular festivals, held in honour of their ancestral spirits.
If you are visiting Ghana any time, you should make sure it coincides with one of these festivals so you can experience it firsthand.
