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| Odwira festival of the people of Fanteakwa District. |
The leaders and people of Ghana's Eastern Region, namely the
people of Fanteakwa District and Akuapem, celebrate the Odwira festival. The
residents of Akropong-Akuapim, Aburi, Larteh, and Mamfe celebrate the Odwira
Festival. Every year, in the months of September and October, this is observed.
The Odwira festival commemorates a significant victory over the Ashantis in
1826. And at Dodowa, this was the Katamansu conflict. The year 1826, in October witnessed the first
celebration of it.
This occurred between 1811 and 1835, during the rule of Nana Addo
Dankwa (I), the 19th Okuapimhene of Akropong. People are regenerated and given
protection during this period of spiritual cleansing. Additionally, the
residents of Jamestown, Accra, commemorate it. This is because of the
relationships that were created when the Ga and Akuapem people intermarried.
Traditionally, the Odwira festival is timed to coincide with
the harvest season, when food is abundant and people express their appreciation
to their ancestors. Thanksgiving for the bumper crop is mostly expressed via
"giving food to the ancestors" since it is a yam feast.
History
of the Odwira festival
The Odwira festival has been observed yearly by the Akropong,
Amanokrom, and Aburi communities for about 200 years. It was first celebrated
by Nana Addo Dankwa 1 (1811–1835), the 19th Okuapehene of Akuapem. The Odwira
festival is also observed in other places within the 17 states of Akuapem. The
occasion commemorates the Okuapeman people's triumph against the formidable
Asante army in the historic battle of Katamansu, which took place in the
vicinity of Dodowa in 1826.
The Odwira festival follows a long-standing routine of a tradition
carefully planned from generation of old and occurs as follows:
Adaebutu
This is a time for introspection and silence. All burials and loud
noises are prohibited in Akuapem for forty days before to the Odwira festival.
Breaking the sequence results in penalties for offenders.
Odwira da
Monday
The Akan people have the notion that a chief never passes away. A
chief instead visits the community. The road leading to this settlement is made
visible on Odwira Monday. The ceremonial route from the royal mausoleum, also
known as Amanprobi, to the middle of Akropong, the capital of Okuapeman, is
cleared during this holy private occasion. The Adumhene, the leader of the
Abrafo (State Executors), is in charge of carrying out the age-old tradition.
The route clearing represents the arrival of our ancestors, the Nananom, to the
Okuapehene's Palace to participate in the Odwira festival.
Odwira da Tuesday
Odwira is said to be a supernatural gift from the royal ruling
clan's ancestors. The Banmuhene, who is the Chief of the Royal Mausoleum and
the Keeper of the Ancestors, is called upon on this day by the Gyaasehene, one
of the five Divisional Chiefs of the Akuapem Traditional Area and Administrator
of all royal courtiers.
When the Okuapehene, or Omanhene, is prepared to celebrate Odwira,
the Gyaasehene formally notifies the Banmuhene. The Gyaasehene have given the
Banmuhene the mission to go back to the Royal Mausoleum's location in the holy
forest, meet with Nananom's ancestors, and transport Nananom's Odwira to the
Okuapehene.
Additionally, on Odwira da Tuesday, members of the Akropong 7
Stool households were outside harvesting the fresh yam crop. This is carried
out inside Kubri's home. It is illegal in all the states of Akuapem to consume
the fresh yam before this day and hour. Additionally, it is prohibited
throughout the town. Waiting for the Baamuhene and his people to offer the
blessings of Odwira, the Okuapehene sits in state. Odwira can only be honoured
when the Baamuhene and his people return with the ancestors' blessings.
It is said that only the Baamuhene and the Okuapehene see what the ancestors have delivered when the Baamuhene returns and approaches the Okuapehene. A ceremonial garment is then draped over their heads. After this, the ban on noise making is lifted.
Odwira da Wednesday
Everybody in Akropong is in a state of collective grief on this
day. Families come to grieve the passing of loved ones, therefore the dress
code is symbolic and includes crimson and black. In order to express sympathy,
the Okuapehene pays visits to each of the seven stool houses in Akropong:
Aboasa, Asona, Twafo, Benkum, Kyeame, and Akrahene.
All of the Ancestors (Nananom) and all of the residents of every
Akropong home who have passed away throughout the previous year are remembered
starting at daybreak. It is believed that the ancestors (Nananom), for whom the
route has been ceremoniously cleared, have joined the Odwira spiritually.
Odwira da Thursday
Okuapeman essentially acknowledge the existence of a supreme God
and express their gratitude to him, but they also declare their allegiance to
the Omanhene, who sits on the Ofori Kuma seat. On this day, Okuapehene dresses
in vibrant, exquisite robes, sits in state, and greets everyone who comes to
pay their respects.
During this time, a young woman who is one of the omanhene's
customary wives parades in public along the town's main thoroughfares on her
way to give her husband a special meal of "Eto." Later on in the day,
"Eto" is taken by a group of his people, led by the caretaker of the
royal mausoleum, Banmuhene, to Nsurem, the first hallowed resting site of
Okuapeman's first omanhene, in order to feed the ancestors. Chiefs from the
other stool houses do the same.
Starting around 7 p.m., the Okuapehene and his five divisional
chiefs, Gyaasehene, Benkumhene, Nifahene, Adontenhene, and Kurontihene,
personally reaffirm and vow their devotion to the Ofori Kuma Stool at the
residence of holy stools. This crucial event demonstrates the Akuapem Kingdom's
unity.
A curfew is implemented at 10 p.m., concealed by symbolic
darkness. Akropong quiets down as state executioners, known as Abrafo, carry
Okuapeman's stool and regalia through the abandoned streets of Akropong to
Ademi mu, a historic river, for the ceremonies of holy cleaning. When they
return, they give the Okuapehene their regalia, the cleaned Stools, and
themselves. It's thought that seeing them at this ceremony is prohibited for
any citizen who isn't in the entourage. In this private ritual, the Okuapehene
shoots three musket bullets to mark the end of the day and ceremonial. He also
symbolically strips nude and is wrapped in a holy piece of cloth. It also means
that Omanhene has been given the task of organising the great durbar that will
take place the following day.
Odwira da Friday
The celebration's customs and rituals basically come to a head on
this day. At Mpeniase, the first tree planted on the day Akropong became the
capital of Okuapeman, the chiefs, elders, and people of Okuapeman gather. In
order to publicly honour the Mpeniase, they continue to serve as a living
emblem of the spirit of the Akuapem Traditional Area. The Okuapehene gives a
review of the year and discusses initiatives and development efforts for the
next year, to the attendance of the clergy, government officials, and others.
The government and his people send greetings of goodwill to the Okuapehene from
both abroad and at home.
To Okuapeman, the Omanhene delivers a speech that effectively
serves as the kingdom's condition of affairs. It has been observed from past
festivities that this is the day with the highest number of guests. The evening
is jam-packed with events, including pageantry and performances. Businesses
take use of this chance to promote their goods by supporting and organising
certain side events.
Rich traditions, art, fashion, music, design, and cuisine all come
together in Odwira. The cultural journey creates new opportunities and moulds
expressions. We cherish our customs, guard them fiercely, and give them meaning
that we understand on many levels. This is your opportunity to come see us if
you have always been in awe of the Akuapem people and our distinctive language.
We are delighted to greet you and share our customs with you and the rest of
the globe.
Thanks for reading this article about the Odwira festival. I
believe it has been educative. You can leave your comments, in the comment
section below. XOXO.
Related link: Festivals in Ghana.
Related link: The Hogbetsotso festival of the people of Anlo.
Also Read: Profile of Saint Louis Senior High School.
Source: HR Forum News
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