Aboakyir Festival Ghana.- Winneba, Central region of Ghana.
Aboakyir festival is celebrated by the Effutus in Winneba in the Central region of Ghana. Winneba is just 35 miles west of Accra, the Capital of Ghana. It is one of the popular towns in the Central Region of Ghana. Winneba is a historic fishing town with population of about 30000. Winneba is traditionally christened ‘Simpa’. Residents are known as Simpafo (people of Simpa). While these people belong to the Guan ethnic group, the Winneba land is inundated with Akans (the largest ethnic group in Ghana). These groups don’t speak the same language, although the Simpafo language borrows from Akan. Because of their mixed heritage, the Akans mostly refer to the Simpafo as Effutufo, which means “mixed people”. Accordingly, the Effutu people became the first settlers of the Gold Coast in Simpa – the name Simpafo.
(See also the location map of Winneba, below)
History
Legend holds that the Effutu people came from the ancient Western Sudanese Empire – Timbuktu. After the demise of the old Ghana Empire and the 14th century rise of the Mali Empire, the Effutu people moved to the south through the savanna to the coast where they settled. Their movement to the current Simpa was believed to be facilitated by their war god Penkye Otu, who gave them protection from all dangers. In a bid to show appreciation to the gesture, the people of Simpa consulted the custodian of the god in order to give it a befitting sacrifice. Though their wish was granted, they wish they had not made such a request. |
The god requested for human sacrifice; this sacrifice was to be somebody from the royal family. But who are you to go contrary to the dictates of the gods. They followed this command for some time and asked the gods for an alternative. Lions were later used but the hunters became perfect prey for Lions to devour. The first attempt made to catch a lion alive with bare hands claimed the lives of eight people. This was stopped around the 16th century. Later a deer was approved to be used for the sacrifice. The reason why these animals were used as surrogates was because the god saw their blood to be similar to that of humans. The deer has since remained the animal used for the sacrifices to pacify the Penkye Otu.
The sacrifice of a deer to the gods was later turned into Aboakyir referring to “animal catch” festival, which encapsulated the whole community. This festival is celebrated on every first Saturday of the month of May and attracts people from all parts of Ghana and beyond. It is important to note that this is just one of Winneba’s many yearly festivals.
The sacrifice of a deer to the gods was later turned into Aboakyir referring to “animal catch” festival, which encapsulated the whole community. This festival is celebrated on every first Saturday of the month of May and attracts people from all parts of Ghana and beyond. It is important to note that this is just one of Winneba’s many yearly festivals.
CelebrationTwo weeks before the commencement of the festival, the chiefs and elders referred to as the Supi and the Osow (priest), meet at the Omanhene’s (paramount chief) palace to discuss the upcoming activities. After this meeting the Omanhene places a Winneba district ban on deer hunting, drumming, and the playing of any electronic music, even church organs. Offenders are sent to the chief’s palace and are charged with a huge fines; payment for which can range from cash to bottles of schnapps to food stuffs.
There are often clashes with Christians, who feel they do not belong to the old tradition and therefore need not go by the traditional prohibitions. It is thought that the elders of the town use this quiet period to perform rituals pertaining to the old culture. At the same time, smaller groups meet secretly to practice the music and dance that is to be performed on the festival day. Such meetings are held late in the night and are always accompanied with street parties. Aside the music ban, one is also slapped with a fine for making excessive noise. The ban on music and dance is however lifted two weeks before the festival; that of hunting stops on the day of festival, after the return of the two Asafo groups.
Asafo is a combination of two Fanti words, “sa” (war) and “fo” (people) – war people. These asofo groups or companies are spread throughout the coastal region of the country especially the Fanti settlements. The number of companies in one state may range from two to seven contingent on the size of the town and its inhabitants. Towns such as Cape Coast, Elmina, Anomabu and SaltPond have more companies than the smaller towns. The formations of these groups are connected to the colonial era of Ghana, especially the wars between the Fantis and Asantis. The companies are identified by different colours of uniform, flags and emblems. Winneba has two main asafo companies: “Tuafo” Number. 1 Company and “Dentsifo” Number. 2 Company, each with numerous subdivisions (divided according to tasks as outlined above).
Both companies on Friday before the festival prepare the paths that lead to the forest by performing rituals believed to combat likely magical objects that might be hidden by rivalry groups. Found magical charms are taken to the traditional shrine and burnt into ashes.
On the dawn of Saturday (at about 3am), all lads belonging to the various asafo convene at the shore to have a bathe in the sea, a final ritual in readiness for the deer hunting mission. The women on the other hand prepare the breakfast for the men before they start their journey. After meal, the men gather at their posts and with chant of war songs, march to the paramount chief’s palace where they will be welcomed by the chief, elders and members of the royal family.
They exchange traditional greetings, and get blessings and fortification from the Effutu gods, valuable gifts for the forthcoming hunt. At exactly 5 pm., Dentsifo takes the lead, since their forest is father than that of Tuafo. Both groups break into smaller units while singing and chanting war songs to edge them on. Every sub group is headed by the Supi who gives directives to the group members about the strategies they should adopt to be the first to bring a deer home.
The hunting then starts with the making of deafening noise in a bid to scare a deer out for the group to catch. In most cases, more than one deer may be caught but the first is used as a sacrifice for the Penkye Otu and other lesser gods. While the hunting goes on the Omanhene, sub-chiefs, elders tourists and the Efutu community wait on the grounds of the African Memorial Episcopal Zion School for the asafo groups to return from their hunting expedition. The first group to make a catch rushes back to the grounds to make their presentation to the chief.
Their effort is lauded and the animal is received and inspected to ensure it is in a good condition for the consumption of the Penky Otu. It is seen as a bad omen when a group returns home empty handed. If the chief is satisfied with the catch, he steps on the animal three times to demonstrate his acceptance and bring the competition to an end. The deer is then carried on shoulders by the winning group amidst drumming and dancing through the principal streets of Winneba to the Otuana where the chief priest waits to perform the first stage of the sacrifice for the gods. After this, the drumming and dancing continues till noon when the first session ends and most participants retire to their various homes to rest before the afternoon’s grand parade. Masquerader display in clourful dresses.
Akosuadontoba is a procession of the chiefs and other leaders within the asafo companies. Around 3 pm members dress in colourful costumes. The colours of Denstifo are red and yellow while Tuafo dresses in blue and white. They display in sequence down the major street that leads to the chief’s palace. The group that made the first catch is usually in front and the losers follow. Both companies exhibit their symbols of authority. The Tuafo Company displays a float carrying a wooden white horse, which is “ridden” by a Supi. The Denstifo group’s float carries a wooden ship sporting the Union Jack. This procession also ends at exactly 6pm but then a carnival atmosphere continues throughout ends some where the next morning. A sate dance is staged with the crowning of Miss Aboakyir.
On Sunday, the deer is offered to Penkye Otu and the other 77 gods of the Effutu land. A statue of Penkye Otu, bordered by the other deities, is positioned under a black umbrella some few meters away from the shrine. This is to signify the unity between the gods and the people of Winneba. The Osow then performs the libation and then ask the gods to accept the people’s offer. After the libation, the deer is slaughtered and the blood smeared all over the image of Penkye Otu. It is then boiled and scattered around the shrine for the gods. The deer’s skin is later used to wrap the image of Penkye Otu. After this ceremony has been successfully performed, the Osow leads the crowd in the concluding stage of the rituals known as Ebisatsi. After these rituals, the crowd goes into merriment with drumming and singing through the principal streets.
How to get there
Getting to Winneba is one easy task. From Accra (Capital), you can get a Trotro to Winneba. You may also join the STC or Metro Mass Transit going to Cape Coast and alight at Winneba. With STC, you have to pay the fares for Cape Coast. The best transport to use there will be a Trotro or a rented car of your choice. If you are in Cape Coast you can also get Trotro to Winneba and back.
There are often clashes with Christians, who feel they do not belong to the old tradition and therefore need not go by the traditional prohibitions. It is thought that the elders of the town use this quiet period to perform rituals pertaining to the old culture. At the same time, smaller groups meet secretly to practice the music and dance that is to be performed on the festival day. Such meetings are held late in the night and are always accompanied with street parties. Aside the music ban, one is also slapped with a fine for making excessive noise. The ban on music and dance is however lifted two weeks before the festival; that of hunting stops on the day of festival, after the return of the two Asafo groups.
Asafo is a combination of two Fanti words, “sa” (war) and “fo” (people) – war people. These asofo groups or companies are spread throughout the coastal region of the country especially the Fanti settlements. The number of companies in one state may range from two to seven contingent on the size of the town and its inhabitants. Towns such as Cape Coast, Elmina, Anomabu and SaltPond have more companies than the smaller towns. The formations of these groups are connected to the colonial era of Ghana, especially the wars between the Fantis and Asantis. The companies are identified by different colours of uniform, flags and emblems. Winneba has two main asafo companies: “Tuafo” Number. 1 Company and “Dentsifo” Number. 2 Company, each with numerous subdivisions (divided according to tasks as outlined above).
Both companies on Friday before the festival prepare the paths that lead to the forest by performing rituals believed to combat likely magical objects that might be hidden by rivalry groups. Found magical charms are taken to the traditional shrine and burnt into ashes.
On the dawn of Saturday (at about 3am), all lads belonging to the various asafo convene at the shore to have a bathe in the sea, a final ritual in readiness for the deer hunting mission. The women on the other hand prepare the breakfast for the men before they start their journey. After meal, the men gather at their posts and with chant of war songs, march to the paramount chief’s palace where they will be welcomed by the chief, elders and members of the royal family.
They exchange traditional greetings, and get blessings and fortification from the Effutu gods, valuable gifts for the forthcoming hunt. At exactly 5 pm., Dentsifo takes the lead, since their forest is father than that of Tuafo. Both groups break into smaller units while singing and chanting war songs to edge them on. Every sub group is headed by the Supi who gives directives to the group members about the strategies they should adopt to be the first to bring a deer home.
The hunting then starts with the making of deafening noise in a bid to scare a deer out for the group to catch. In most cases, more than one deer may be caught but the first is used as a sacrifice for the Penkye Otu and other lesser gods. While the hunting goes on the Omanhene, sub-chiefs, elders tourists and the Efutu community wait on the grounds of the African Memorial Episcopal Zion School for the asafo groups to return from their hunting expedition. The first group to make a catch rushes back to the grounds to make their presentation to the chief.
Their effort is lauded and the animal is received and inspected to ensure it is in a good condition for the consumption of the Penky Otu. It is seen as a bad omen when a group returns home empty handed. If the chief is satisfied with the catch, he steps on the animal three times to demonstrate his acceptance and bring the competition to an end. The deer is then carried on shoulders by the winning group amidst drumming and dancing through the principal streets of Winneba to the Otuana where the chief priest waits to perform the first stage of the sacrifice for the gods. After this, the drumming and dancing continues till noon when the first session ends and most participants retire to their various homes to rest before the afternoon’s grand parade. Masquerader display in clourful dresses.
Akosuadontoba is a procession of the chiefs and other leaders within the asafo companies. Around 3 pm members dress in colourful costumes. The colours of Denstifo are red and yellow while Tuafo dresses in blue and white. They display in sequence down the major street that leads to the chief’s palace. The group that made the first catch is usually in front and the losers follow. Both companies exhibit their symbols of authority. The Tuafo Company displays a float carrying a wooden white horse, which is “ridden” by a Supi. The Denstifo group’s float carries a wooden ship sporting the Union Jack. This procession also ends at exactly 6pm but then a carnival atmosphere continues throughout ends some where the next morning. A sate dance is staged with the crowning of Miss Aboakyir.
On Sunday, the deer is offered to Penkye Otu and the other 77 gods of the Effutu land. A statue of Penkye Otu, bordered by the other deities, is positioned under a black umbrella some few meters away from the shrine. This is to signify the unity between the gods and the people of Winneba. The Osow then performs the libation and then ask the gods to accept the people’s offer. After the libation, the deer is slaughtered and the blood smeared all over the image of Penkye Otu. It is then boiled and scattered around the shrine for the gods. The deer’s skin is later used to wrap the image of Penkye Otu. After this ceremony has been successfully performed, the Osow leads the crowd in the concluding stage of the rituals known as Ebisatsi. After these rituals, the crowd goes into merriment with drumming and singing through the principal streets.
How to get there
Getting to Winneba is one easy task. From Accra (Capital), you can get a Trotro to Winneba. You may also join the STC or Metro Mass Transit going to Cape Coast and alight at Winneba. With STC, you have to pay the fares for Cape Coast. The best transport to use there will be a Trotro or a rented car of your choice. If you are in Cape Coast you can also get Trotro to Winneba and back.
See below May 2016 video. (local language)
Published on May, 2016
ABOAKYIR FESTIVAL CELEBRATIONS 2016 |
All Ghana Tourism & Info Links by Region
|
Search 3 of our sites: ghana-net.com, ghananet.co.uk and ghanawebnews.online
Search ghana-net.com OR ghanaweb-news.com (ONLY)
Radio Live Pages |
Ghana Info Pages |
More Ghana Links
British Gold Coast (Many pictures shown!)
Fort Batenstein (full info website) Logbuch.Ghana-net.net (Deutsch) GhanaHotels.biz (400 + Hotels) All Towns of Ghana, by Region A - Z Preventive child health inequality 1283 private health institutions in Ghana |
Welcome to Ghana! Akwaaba!
Ghana-Net.com is one of Ghana`s oldest websites, with tourism information`s about Ghana, Live Radio, life and culture of of all Ghana Nation`s, and tribes - like Ga people, Fante, Ewe, Ashanti, Dagbani, Frafra, Krobo and many other tribes and kingdoms of Ghana.
Ghana-Net.com 1st time online late December 2000, and updated since 2001 !
Ghana-Net.com is one of Ghana`s oldest websites, with tourism information`s about Ghana, Live Radio, life and culture of of all Ghana Nation`s, and tribes - like Ga people, Fante, Ewe, Ashanti, Dagbani, Frafra, Krobo and many other tribes and kingdoms of Ghana.
Ghana-Net.com 1st time online late December 2000, and updated since 2001 !
Ghana-Net.com - connected with; GhanaRadio.online /
GhanaMirror.com / GhanaWeb-News.com / GhanaMirror.uk / GhanaHotels.biz / GhanaFlights.info /
GhanaMirror.com / GhanaWeb-News.com / GhanaMirror.uk / GhanaHotels.biz / GhanaFlights.info /
Privacy Policy, Terms & Conditions and Disclaimer / Services / Contact Us / (c) by ghana-net.com 2000- 2019