Leklebi(VR), Oct. 17, GNA - The Chiefs and people of Leklebi and their kinsmen from Lavie in the Republic of Togo have re-invented their ancestral common bond by institutionalising the bi-annual Agbonuto (festival) for accelerated development.

Addressing a press conference at Leklebi, Mr Morris A. Fie, Chairman of Joint Festival Planning Committee said the essence of their gesture was development-oriented, to re-strengthen and re-integrate their past ties for mutual benefits.

Mr Fie recounting a historical antecedent said the people of Leklebi and Lavie (formerly known as Tsamenyiawo) formed part of the Ewes who migrated from Abyssinia (Ethiopia) through Ele-Ife (Oyo) to ancient Ketu and other places before settling at Notsie (Glime) in the 15th Century.

He said both kinsmen moved together from Notsie resulting from the cruelty of the then King Agorkoli and finally settled at Lakledzi, where Lavie is currently situated.

Mr Fie re-affirmed that the Leklebi's decided to move westward but the Lavie's declined and opted to stay awhile, hence the "Miawo Mia Lala Vie" becoming the adopted name, which literally meant "We shall wait". He said the separation of the two sides for over 500 years and the visit of the Chiefs and people of Leklebi to pay homage to their kinsmen at Lavie in 1929, by a strong delegation of 305, was the driving force for the reciprocity in instituting the Agbonuto festival. Mr Fie said the dawn of renewal and re-integration of affiliation of people from a common descent was being harnessed for socio-cultural and economic development as was experienced by the Gbis and Pekis. Gas renewed their ancestral ties with Notsie, Abutia and Fodome as well as Gbledi and Battor in Ghana and Kpele in Togo. "It is imperative that Leklebis and Lavies tap into their ancestral common bond and heritage by institutionalising the Agbonuto festival slated for November 6, this year, with a grand durbar of Chiefs and people from both sides to climax the celebration," he said. Togbega Agboka VI, Paramount Chief of Leklebi Traditional Area said both sides were separated for 500 years by an imaginary boundary line but their spirit and soul bound together by ancestry. He was optimistic that their rebirth would re-ignite the ancestral cultural and religious ties, to be harnessed for development. Togbega Agboka said as part of the integration process, the teaching and learning of Ewe, English and French would be institutionalised between them.

Togbega Agbeli Gbaga VIII, Paramount Chief of Lavie expressed concern about the Ewe language, being spoken in Ghana, Togo, Benin and parts of Nigeria, but not being encouraged as a subject even though it was a subject in some German Universities.