Top 10 Festivals In Ghana

Ghana is a West African country known for its vibrant culture, music, and festivals. The country is home to several diverse ethnic groups that celebrate different festivals throughout the year. These festivals are an important part of Ghanaian culture and are celebrated with great pomp and pageantry. In this article, we will explore the top 10 festivals in Ghana that you should not miss.

1. 🎉 Homowo Festival

Introduction

The Homowo Festival is celebrated by the Ga people of Accra in August. The festival is celebrated to mark the end of the hunger season and the beginning of the harvest season. The festival is characterized by a lot of noise-making and merry-making. It is a time for reunion with family and friends.

History

The Homowo festival has its roots in the legend of a great famine that hit the Ga people many years ago. The famine was so severe that people could not find food to eat. They resorted to planting crops in secret and eating them before they ripened. When the crops finally ripened, they celebrated with a lot of noise-making and merry-making. This celebration became known as Homowo, which means hooting at hunger.

Celebration

The Homowo festival begins with a purification ceremony where the chief and his elders pour libation to the gods. The festival is then marked by a lot of noise-making, drumming, singing, and dancing. Street processions are also common during the festival. The climax of the festival is the kpokpoi (mashed yam) festival. This is a special dish made with mashed yam, palm nut soup, and fish. The dish is shared among family and friends.

What to Expect

Expect to see a lot of colorful costumes, drumming, singing, and dancing during the Homowo festival. You will also get to taste some of the local dishes and drinks. It is a time to reunite with family and friends and to experience the rich culture of the Ga people.

2. 🎉 Aboakyir Festival

Introduction

The Aboakyir festival is celebrated by the people of Winneba in May. The festival is characterized by a lot of hunting and competition between two groups. The festival is a time for the people of Winneba to celebrate their bravery and hunting skills.

History

The Aboakyir festival has its roots in the legend of two hunters who went hunting in the forest and came across a live antelope. They chased the antelope until it was caught. When they returned to the village with the antelope, they were welcomed with a lot of noise-making and merry-making. This celebration became known as Aboakyir, which means hunting for game.

Celebration

The Aboakyir festival begins with a purification ceremony where the chief and his elders pour libation to the gods. The festival is then marked by a lot of hunting and competition between two groups. The first group to catch a live antelope wins the competition. The climax of the festival is the procession of the live antelope through the streets of Winneba. The antelope is later sacrificed to the gods.

What to Expect

Expect to see a lot of hunting and competition during the Aboakyir festival. You will also get to taste some of the local dishes and drinks. It is a time to witness the bravery and hunting skills of the people of Winneba.

3. 🎉 Fetu Afahye Festival

Introduction

The Fetu Afahye festival is celebrated by the people of Cape Coast in August. The festival is celebrated to mark the end of the fishing season and the beginning of the new fishing season. The festival is a time for the people of Cape Coast to give thanks to the gods for a bountiful harvest.

History

The Fetu Afahye festival has its roots in the legend of a great drought that hit Cape Coast many years ago. The drought was so severe that people could not find fish to eat. They resorted to praying to the gods for a bountiful harvest. When the fishing season finally came, they celebrated with a lot of noise-making and merry-making. This celebration became known as Fetu Afahye, which means festival of the gods.

Celebration

The Fetu Afahye festival begins with a purification ceremony where the chief and his elders pour libation to the gods. The festival is then marked by a lot of noise-making, drumming, singing, and dancing. There is also a grand durbar of chiefs. The climax of the festival is the procession of the gods through the streets of Cape Coast.

What to Expect

Expect to see a lot of colorful costumes, drumming, singing, and dancing during the Fetu Afahye festival. You will also get to taste some of the local dishes and drinks. It is a time to witness the rich culture and traditions of the people of Cape Coast.

4. 🎉 Bakatue Festival

Introduction

The Bakatue festival is celebrated by the people of Elmina in July. The festival is celebrated to mark the beginning of the fishing season. The festival is a time for the people of Elmina to give thanks to the gods for a bountiful harvest.

History

The Bakatue festival has its roots in the legend of a great drought that hit Elmina many years ago. The drought was so severe that people could not find fish to eat. They resorted to praying to the gods for a bountiful harvest. When the fishing season finally came, they celebrated with a lot of noise-making and merry-making. This celebration became known as Bakatue, which means opening of the lagoon.

Celebration

The Bakatue festival begins with a purification ceremony where the chief and his elders pour libation to the gods. The festival is then marked by a procession to the lagoon where the chief and his elders pour libation to the gods of the sea. The climax of the festival is the fishing ceremony where the people of Elmina go fishing in the lagoon.

What to Expect

Expect to see a lot of noise-making, drumming, singing, and dancing during the Bakatue festival. You will also get to taste some of the local dishes and drinks. It is a time to witness the rich culture and traditions of the people of Elmina.

5. 🎉 Kundum Festival

Introduction

The Kundum festival is celebrated by the people of the Ahanta tribe in August. The festival is celebrated to give thanks to the gods for a bountiful harvest and to seek their blessings for the new planting season. The festival is a time for the people of Ahanta to reunite with family and friends.

History

The Kundum festival has its roots in the legend of a great drought that hit the Ahanta people many years ago. The drought was so severe that people could not find food to eat. They resorted to praying to the gods for a bountiful harvest. When the harvest finally came, they celebrated with a lot of noise-making and merry-making. This celebration became known as Kundum, which means the period of thanksgiving.

Celebration

The Kundum festival begins with a purification ceremony where the chief and his elders pour libation to the gods. The festival is then marked by a lot of noise-making, drumming, singing, and dancing. The climax of the festival is the spraying of the kundum powder. This is a special powder made from the bark of the kundum tree. The powder is believed to have spiritual powers.

What to Expect

Expect to see a lot of noise-making, drumming, singing, and dancing during the Kundum festival. You will also get to taste some of the local dishes and drinks. It is a time to witness the rich culture and traditions of the Ahanta people.

6. 🎉 Damba Festival

Introduction

The Damba festival is celebrated by the people of the Northern Region in November. The festival is celebrated to commemorate the birth and naming of the Prophet Mohammed. The festival is a time for the people of the Northern Region to pray for peace and prosperity.

History

The Damba festival has its roots in the legend of the birth of the Prophet Mohammed. It is believed that the Prophet was born on a Monday. When the people of the Northern Region heard about the birth of the Prophet, they celebrated with a lot of noise-making and merry-making. This celebration became known as Damba.

Celebration