Display of rich Ghanaian culture, tradition at Ada Asafotufiami

Naana Kabukuor Domaaley Dagojo I,

Queen of Kabiawe Clan

The glamour and thrills of the rich, unique and elegant Ghanaian culture and traditions were in full display last weekend as thousands thronged to Ada to wit­ness the Asafotufiami festival

 The week-long festival which began on August 4 to 9 at Ada in the Dangme East District of the Greater Accra Region is one of the biggest events in the region.

The festival had over the years become pop­ular, attracting thou­sands of tourists who were usually enter­tained by the traditions and cultural activities on display.

This year’s festi­val, the 86th edition held under the theme, “Honouring our heroes, revamping natural resources and unlocking tourism potential,” was nothing short of the usual spectacle.

Among dignitaries attracted to the festi­val, were the President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Greater Accra Minister, Henry Quartey, the Member of Parliament (MP) for the area, Comfort Doyoe Cudjoe-Ghansah, the District Chief Executive (DCE), Sarah Dugbakie Pobie and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the McDan Group, Dr Daniel McKorley.

The festival also at­tracted foreigners who took part in several activities led by vibrant youth groups and asso­ciations within Ada and beyond. The festival started on Wednesday, August 2 with the usual “home­coming” activities prior to the weekend as natives both home and abroad trooped to the host town, Big Ada where all the activities were held.

The activities com­menced with a welcom­ing float on Thursday, August 3 which ushered in all individuals and groups who came to the town to celebrate the festival they held in high esteem. The float began from Big Ada through neigh­bouring towns including Kasserh, Sege, Ada Foah and ended at the starting point where the youth jammed until the break of dawn.

The clans include, Adibiawe, Lomobiawe, Terkperbiawe, Dangm­ebiawe, Kabiaweyumu, Kabiawetsu, Kabiakpo­no, Kudragbe, Ohu­ewem and Korgbor.

The clans took turns to pour libations and sought the permission of the ancestors head­ing into the week-long activities. After the last clan, usually Dangme­biawe had performed their rituals, they re­turned to a river in Big Ada where everyone in­cluding visitors washed their feet as a form of cleansing with the be­lief that the river would carry away their bur­dens and transgressions and give them renewed hope of prosperity into    

By Michael D. Abayateye