Festivals In Ghana
Festivals form a major component in the social structure of Ghana. A variety of festivals are celebrated once a year, with many occurring between May and December. During these festivals, there is family feasting, ancestors and deities are revered, there is a renewal of allegiance to the chiefs by the people, families are reunited, and plans for developing the towns and villages are undertaken. Kindly contact us for your customized itinerary.
Edina Bakatue and Edina Bronya
Elmina boasts of two colourfull festivals; Edina Bakatue and Edina Bronya. Bakatue commemorates the covenant given to Nana KwaaAmankwa by the god Nana Kyenboa upon his discovery of Elmina. The festival is more centered on the paramount chief and the priests, though the citizenry plays a role in making it a success.
Edina Bronya, on the other hand, isa native version of Christmas celebrated by the people of Elmina. It centers on individual families as it celebrates the immortality of our Ancestors.Families invoke the spirit of their ancestors for blessing in the coming year.
While Bakatue is celebrated; between the first Tuesday and Saturday of July in every year, Edina Bronya is celebrated; on the first Thursday of January every year.
Akwasidae
The ADAE is based on the Akan belief in a tripartite world consisting of the spirits of the dead, the community of the living, and the generation yet unborn, and it is meant for veneration. The Akan calculate their year in 9 cycles of 40 days each, with each cycle closing with the Akwasidae. Akwasidae is a special (holy) day; religious rituals and ceremonies are performed.
Here are the calendars for 2023 and 2024:
Akwasidae calendar for 2023
September 3
October 15
Novenber 26
Akwasidae calendar for 2024
January 7
February 18
March 31
May 12
June 23
August 4
September 15
October27y
December 8
*You can plan your trip with us to coincide with a festival.
Oguaa Fetu Afahye
Fetu Afahye is the annual festival of the people of Oguaa (Cape Coast) celebrated on the first Saturday in September every year. “Fetu” is derived from “Fi tu”, which literally translates “Cleaning dirt” or “uprooting dirt”. This calls for general cleaning to rid the communities of dirt. This cleansing is not limited to the physical environment but spiritual as well, and sacrifices are offered to “Papratam” a major deity.
This Cape Coast festival in sum, revers the 77 deities and pays allegiance to the Omanhene (Chief).