Ga Community Homowo UK Saturday 18th September 2010

The pomp and pageantry that attended the recent Ga community Homowo festival spoke eloquently of the people's rich cultural heritage. The occasion which was held at Tottenham Green Leisure Centre Gold Room, London, was packaged as the Ga community Homowo which represents All Ga Speaking communities in London. The festival was organized this time by La association and there is hope that next year it will be under the umbrella of the Gadangbe foundation.

The latter is the umbrella body for all Gadangbe indigenes, from the river Volta down to Accra, resident in London. According to the chairman of La Association, it aims to strengthen the bond of relationship that existed between the Gadangbe people.

Welcoming the guests to the occasion, Dr Eric Boye, the chairman of the organizing committee, called on the Chiefs of Accra to settle their difference and to unite in protection of our land, language and our culture since in unity lies our strength.

In Ga land the occasion of Homowo is a cultural festival because of its significance. The individual communities, as agrarian people, have their days for this august occasion during which assortment of festivities mark the eating of kpokpoi. To the Gas therefore, the day is symbolic of enjoyment after the cultivation season. Nuumo Gbelenfo III (Gua Wolomo of Osu, a special guest at the occasion, captured its importance vividly when he described the festival, in our tradition, as the culmination of a work cycle and the beginning of another- Afioo Afi.

That perhaps explains why in a traditional Ga setting invitation to the festival is usually thrown open. What this means is that there is abundant food for not just the harvesters but friends and well-wishers alike.

There are several accounts as to its origin. One of the accounts dates it back to the 18th century when an extraordinary famine is said to have struck for practically a year. The situation was so dire that Fetish Priests and Priestesses were summoned to pray for rain and harvest. Sometime in August there was a tremendous down pour of rain which changed the tide of things. That date was set for merry making.

The rituals that attend the Kpokpoi eating are meant to express the community's appreciation to the gods for making the harvest of farm yields possible. The influence of Christianity notwithstanding, many traditionalists and title holders in some Ga communities never taste the Kpokpoi until the day traditionally set aside for it.

To grace the occasion the Ghana High Commission was represented by the Head of Chancery Mrs Siaw Boateng and Minister Counselor for political and economic Affairs Mr. Ramses Cleland. Also in attendance were Nii Oblimpong Ankrah, (Head of Mantse Ankrah Royal Family) and other Mantsemei and Mannyemei from London and Ghana.

Many are looking forward to next year when hopefully it will be under the umbrella of Gadangbe Foundation, to reflect the spirit of unity of the festival which was the theme of the occasion.

By Charles Ollennu