People of Ada begin Asafotufiami Festival on Friday

The Asafotufiami Festival of the people of Ada begins officially on Friday and its is expected to be characterized by its usual pomp and pageantry.

The festival over the years has been recognized as one of the biggest traditional events in the country, as it adds to one of the many tourism potentials in the country and Ada.

This year marks the 80th Anniversary of the festival and the chiefs and people of Ada are waiting with bated breath to welcome the entire world to a rich cultural display.

Rooms have been booked months ahead of the event and several activities have been lined up by organizers to entertain and educate patrons.The uniqueness of the festival cannot be overemphasized except to provide a brief on the history(or origin) of the festival and usual activities. 

Ada forms part of the Ga-Adangme ethnic group in the Greater Accra region precisely the Dangme East and largely Dangme West Districts.

The Adangme people have the largest population among the two related Ga-Adangme people occupying over 70 percent of the Greater Accra Regional lands.The people of Ada celebrate the Asafotufiami festival, an  annual warrior’s festival, observed from the first weekend of August to Tuesday.

It is used to commemorate the victories of the warriors in battle and to also remember those who fell on the battlefield.Within the period, other rites like the puberty rite (DIPO) are also held for young girls who experience their menstrual cycle for the first time.

Within the period the girls are trained by very old and experienced women as part of efforts to prepare them for marriage and paraded during the festival.

The festival official begins on Friday, but that would not be without the usual welcoming parties and excitement ahead of the day. Events for the entire celebration period include:

DAY ONE (FRIDAY)

Usually, Thursday is used to welcome the people from all walks of life to the town for the festival: Mostly young and old people from Ada who travel outside for greener pastures and other purposes. They are usually hailed “sobi sobi,” literally ‘Thursday people’ upon arrival. All is then set for the festival to begin on Friday.

On the day, chiefs of the various clans dress in war outfits and match towards a place they call “Aplenaye,” located at Luhuese in Ada, where according to history, their final battle was won. There are seven clans including, Adibiawe, Lomobiawe, Tekperbiawe, Kudzragbe, Korgbor, Kabubiawe and Dangmebiawe.

One after the other, they perform rituals to remember their fallen heroes and also introduce young ones to the war atmosphere. The occasion is witnessed amidst firing of musketries with traditional music and dance.

Just as they came, they match back after the last clan had performed their rituals. The  Dangmebiawe clan is said to hold the key to close the traditional door.

They now head towards a river at Big Ada where chiefs and people wash their feet as a sign of washing away all their sins, and bad lucks in the past year into the river to carry away so they start a new year with best wishes.

The main activity for the day ends with the washing of feet and chiefs head back to their palace to continue the following day, Saturday.

 

DAY TWO (SATURDAY)

The day is set aside for a big durbar with all the Chiefs, Queens, state officials and other distinguished people in the area and beyond gather at a park in the heart of the town for the ceremony.

On the day, youth associations and bands match to the venue colorfully dressed with loud brass band music. They also perform one after the other at the venue.

Dignitaries and people in government also use the opportunity to speak with the people and also serve as a platform for friends and family to reunite and share ideas.

President Nana Akufo-Addo(Special Guest of Honour)former Presidents John Dramani Mahama and John Jerry Rawlings, Member of Parliament for the area, Comfort Doyoe Cudjoe-Ghansah, Dr. Daniel McKorley(Chairman for the occasion) and other dignitaries are expected to grace this year's event.

Chiefs usually carried in palanquins also use the occasion to renew their vows before the people and swear oaths of allegiance.

It is also believed that, chiefs also use the opportunity to challenge each other while in the palanquins hoping to show their superiority by attempting to get a fellow chief on the ground.

Mainly, it also allows the youth to meet new friends and old family members and strengthen family ties while others get lifetime partners.

It is usually a long day full of interesting cultural display with all kinds of music and dance on display to entertain visitors.

Town elders also discuss important developmental issues with the people and look forward to a good year for everyone.It is also used to settle family disputes because people must not go into a new year having grudges among themselves.

The chiefs and youth organizations then match after the durbar to their destination and families meet afterwards. There is a jam right into the night. The occasion is also an opportunity for elders to wear rich beads on the day.

It is believed that beads are the main ornaments for the people and wearing it signifies the rich culture of the tribe. Among the chiefs, it is usually a battle as to who wears the heaviest and most expensive beads. 

DAY THREE (SUNDAY)

The day is used to thank God for his mercy over the year and just like the durbar, everyone gathers at the same venue for a church service.

Usually dressed in white, the people match to the venue for the service but this time, the chiefs walk majestically to the grounds and there is less firing of musketry.

Christian and traditional prayers are said on the day. The day is also used to raise funds for community development.The occasion is also used to bid farewell to visitors who would be leaving.

Chiefs also meet with each other, plan and share ideas on how to develop the town and sometimes exchange gifts.Just like the previous days, the rich culture display-music and dance continues into the night with the ultimate aim of making friends and uniting families.

 

DAY FOUR (MONDAY)

The last day is basically for individual activities where friends and families meet on their own to wine and dine.People usually head to the beach while the elderly meet at home with friends to also enjoy the day.

There is also a regatta at the river side which engages the Youth Organizations in several activities including tug of peace, volley, canoe race and other exciting events for a prize.

Several dignitaries attend the event with prizes presented to winners of the various groups. It is usually an action-packed day.There is a football gala among teams from the area on Tuesday which would precede the last event, another beach party the following Sunday to end activities for the festival.

A great deal of importance is attached to the festival as it is aimed to achieve the following results.

1. It marks the beginning of a traditional year for the people
2. It is used to offer thanks to the Supreme God for His care and protection and offer thanks to ancestors and the spirits for their protection during the year.
3. Used to remember and mourn those who had died during the year.
4. It is used to perform the customary purification of the land and people by the chiefs and traditional priests.
5. It is an occasion to renew the people’s loyalties to their chiefs by paying homage to them.
6. It helps people to settle family disputes, quarrels or misunderstandings.
7. Allows for continuation of the traditions.
8. Used to review past year’s activities and to correct past mistakes and plan for the future.
9. Also to unite and give the youth the opportunity to know one another and sometimes choose life partners.
10. It helps to teach the youth about their traditions.

Nene Abram Akuaku III, Paramount Chief of Ada welcomes all the the Asafotufiami Festival.

www.primenewsghana/ GhanaNews