Homowo

In remembrance of the famine and hunger that plagued them at the time of their migration to Ghana, the Ga people of the Greater Accra Region celebrate the harvest festival known as Homowo, Hooting at Hunger. To symbolize the historical migration, individuals wear red on Homowo Day. Following the recitation of incantations and the pouring of libations accompanied by drumming and dance, there is a march through the street while kpokpoi, a steamed fermented cornmeal mixed with palm oil, is sprinkled in houses and on streets. But did you know that every town has a unique way of celebrating it? Teshie which is believed to be a part of the last towns that climax the celebration of the Homowo festival has a distinctive feature of ‘Kpashimɔ’ (Literally means pounding of feets). The ‘Kpashimɔ’ is a street carnival which involves youngest to oldest person singing, dancing, running and jogging on the streets in the township. To begin the ‘Kpashimɔ’, there is bathing of the holy traditional water ‘Tsese' through the town by Teshie Natives which is believed to give for long life, prosperity and to wash away all impurities. Various groups which are usually the clans in Teshie, exhibit their flags and emblem during their parade and dance and sing 'Kpan lala' (Songs which depict all manner of things which are also used to expose wrongdoings and ridicule the society and persons). Culture is a way of life. -Ghana, August 2022-