Top 10 Ghanaian Festivals and Dates of Their Celebration
Ghana is one of the most beautiful countries on the African continent with a robust plethora of vibrant and colorful festivals. Such festivals form an intrinsic and important part of Ghanaian culture and are celebrated every year in various parts of the country as part of the heritage of the people of Ghana. Here are the top 10 Ghanaian festivals and dates of their celebration.
Historically, festivals used to be an important facet of African culture. Communities would hold various ceremonies and festivals to commemorate events and to celebrate their heritage. Ghana is a nation that has many festivals. These festivals are celebrated in various parts of the nation and commemorate the rich heritage of the Ghanaian peoples among other things. Here is a list of the top 10 Ghanaian festivals and dates of their celebration.
Ghanaian Traditional Festivals
- Dipo (A rite conducted during puberty) - February
- Aboakyer (Deer hunting festival) - 1st Saturday of May
- Dodoleglime - November
- Akwasidae - Every six weeks
- Kente (Commemorates the origin of the Kente cloth over 3 centuries ago) - July/August
- Asafotu-fiam (celebrates warriors’ victories in past battles) - Last Thursday in July to 1st weekend in August
- Damba (linked with Mohammed’s birth) - July or August
- Asafotufiam - July or August
- Gologo - March
- Gmayem - October
- Yaa Asantewa (Festival paying homage to the war heroine and the people that were exiled to Seychelles with her) - August
- Fao - January
- Kwafie (Festival celebrating the Dormaas for bringing fire) - November or December
- Fiok (War festival) - December
- Mmoaninko - November
- Panafest (A festival celebrating African slaves and arts) - July/August
- Hogbetsotso (Commemoration of migration from tyranny) - 1st Saturday of November
- Fofie Yam Festival - October
- Nkyidwo (Celebrates a native folktale that told of the region’s people coming from a hole in the ground) - June
- Odambea (Commemorating the 500 km migration of Nkusukum peoples to their present settlement) - Last Saturday in August
- Apoo (Festival for purification of the people) - October
- Odwira (Harvest festival) - September
- Kundum - August/September
- Ohum (A festival celebrating the worship of ancestral gods) - June/July
- Homowo (Harvest and thanksgiving) - August/September
- Kobine - September
- KLOYOSIKPLEM - November
- Fetu Afahye (Harvest in commemoration of their first contact with the whites) - 1st Saturday of September
- Akwambo (Festival commemorating the migration of ancestors into that region) - August
- Bakatue - 1st Tuesday of July
- Akwantutenten (Commemorating the long journey by the people from Ashanti to Volta) - September/October
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Ghana Harvest Festival
- Kobine - September
- Bakatue (An annual fish harvesting festival) - 1st Tuesday of July
- Kakube - 1st Saturday of May
- Homowo (Harvesting and thanksgiving) - August or September
- Odwira (Harvesting and thatknsgiving) - September
- Fetu Afahye (Harvest in commemoration of their first contact with the whites) - August/September
- Rice Festival - January
- Ohumkyire (Harvest thanksgiving) - September or October
- Wilaa (Offer thanks to God for good harvest and good directions during the farming season) - March/April
Ghana Dance Festival
- Mmoa Nni Nko (Durbar of chiefs wear colorful clothing. The festival is characterized by dance and drumming, firing musketry, funfair and merry making - October .
- Apenorto (Durbar of chiefs and the people in general put on their best traditional regalia) - August.
READ ALSO: Districts in Brong Ahafo Region and Their Capitals
Source: YEN.com.gh
