Me2moro Magazine

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The Odwira Festival
Besides graceful ceremonies and
occasions on the yearlong calendar of
Ghana, festivals and durbars are yet
another occasion to meet distant relatives,
make new friends and re-live history.
The ‘Odwira’ festival is the main festival of the
Okuapeman Traditional Area, constituting of
about 18 towns on the ridge. It is celebrated
in ‘Akropong’ where the paramount seat of
Okuapeman is situated. ‘Odwira’ meaning
‘purification’ is a celebration of the cleansing
and purification of the people, town and its
chieftaincy stools. It lasts for a week (7days),
with activities lined up for each day.
The week-long celebration extends from Monday
to Sunday with friends, family, the people on the
ridge, royals, dignitaries, etc. all assembling to
grace the occasion.
Below are the days and their specific activities that
are usually outlined;
To begin the celebration, a forty day period
known as ‘adabutum’ is set aside for resting
and meditation. The people and ancestors
require these days off to spiritually prepare
themselves before the seven day ‘Odwira’
festival begins. During this period, a ban is
placed on drumming, singing, and dancing
on the ridge.
The‘Mawerehene’
of Akuapem graces
the celebration by
holding a grand yet
special durbar as part
of the Odwira
Festival.
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