“THE HOMOWO FESTIVAL”
Ghana is a country that celebrates festivals. There are several rites and rituals that are performed through the year in various parts of the country. For the majority of people, these celebrations provide all that is satisfying to their communities and families, although the Homowo Festival is the most important one for the Ghanaian people.
The word “Homowo” means “making fun of hunter”. The traditional oral history describes a time long ago when the rains stopped and the sea closed its gates. A deadly famine spread throughout the southern part of the country, the home of the Ga people. When the harvest finally arrived and food became plentiful, the people were so happy that they celebrated with a festival that ridiculed hunger.
The Homo Festival stars with the planting of crops before the May rainy season and continues through August. The actual time for the August celebration is determinate by the Chief Priest after they consult with the Lagoon Oracles. Al Ga people are required by traditional law to return to the homes of their fathers for this celebration. During the appointed week in the month of August thousands of people come from near and far.
The celebration begins on Thursday and ends on Sunday:
- Thursday: Thousands of people arrive from the outlying villages with their harvested crops of all kind.
- Friday: A Memorial Service is held to honour all those died during the previous year. Later on, in the morning there is a Birthday Celebration for all Twins and multiple births.
- Saturday: This is the Homowo Day itself. Food is prepared by steaming fermented corn meal. During the day each sub-chief in each city sprinkles some “kpekpele” (is called the dish) at prescribed locations. The people begin dancing through the streets and share the traditional meal with the visitors.
- Sunday: In the morning the celebration ends waiting for next year.
The Homowo Festival is waiting for you!!!
Pedro Melero.
Ghana is a country that celebrates festivals. There are several rites and rituals that are performed through the year in various parts of the country. For the majority of people, these celebrations provide all that is satisfying to their communities and families, although the Homowo Festival is the most important one for the Ghanaian people.
The word “Homowo” means “making fun of hunter”. The traditional oral history describes a time long ago when the rains stopped and the sea closed its gates. A deadly famine spread throughout the southern part of the country, the home of the Ga people. When the harvest finally arrived and food became plentiful, the people were so happy that they celebrated with a festival that ridiculed hunger.
The Homo Festival stars with the planting of crops before the May rainy season and continues through August. The actual time for the August celebration is determinate by the Chief Priest after they consult with the Lagoon Oracles. Al Ga people are required by traditional law to return to the homes of their fathers for this celebration. During the appointed week in the month of August thousands of people come from near and far.
The celebration begins on Thursday and ends on Sunday:
- Thursday: Thousands of people arrive from the outlying villages with their harvested crops of all kind.
- Friday: A Memorial Service is held to honour all those died during the previous year. Later on, in the morning there is a Birthday Celebration for all Twins and multiple births.
- Saturday: This is the Homowo Day itself. Food is prepared by steaming fermented corn meal. During the day each sub-chief in each city sprinkles some “kpekpele” (is called the dish) at prescribed locations. The people begin dancing through the streets and share the traditional meal with the visitors.
- Sunday: In the morning the celebration ends waiting for next year.
The Homowo Festival is waiting for you!!!
Pedro Melero.
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