The Homowo festival of the people of Accra in Ghana

The role of festivals in Ghana: The case of Homowo
The celebration of festivals has been one of the most attractive aspects of the Ghanaian culture. Colourful traditional festivals and durbars are held yearly in all parts of the country. These festivals reveal some common features and beliefs of the Ghanaian society.
Through the festivals, the people remember their ancestors and ask for their protection. Festivals are also held in order to purify the whole state so that people can enter the New Year with confidence and hope.
These days festivals have provided the vistas for development since natives return home to contribute to the development of their areas. As such a bond of unity is exhibited which contributes to harmony and peace.
Examples of some major festivals are Aboakyer (Deer hunting), which is celebrated by the people of Winneba, Bakatue (Fish Harvesting), and Fetu Afahye (Harvest commemorating first contact with whites) celebrated by the people of Cape Coast.
The people of Tamale and Yendi also celebrate the Damba festival, which was originally linked with the birth of Mohammed, the Prophet of Allah while Hogbetsotso, which is celebrated by the Anlos, symbolises their migration from the tyrannical ruler of Notsie in older day Togoland to their present homeland in
Ghana.
Similarly, the Ashantis also celebrate the Adae (festival of purifying of the Ashantis' ancestral stools). It is celebrated every 40th day and is especially magnificent when it falls on a Sunday, Adae Kese (Big Adae) and Odwira (Harvest/Thanksgiving) of the people of the Akropong Traditional Area.
This festival dramatises the traditional myths and legends of the people, and commemorates a period of remembrance and thanksgiving to the gods for their mercies in the past year, and renewal of family and societies.
However, this essay will look at the Homowo festival (Harvest/Thanksgiving) of the Gas in Greater Accra.
The festival starts in the month of may with the planting of crops before the rainy season starts.
Etymology
The word Homowo (Homo - hunger, wo - sleep) can mean to hoot or jeer at hunger. The tradition of Homowo started with a period of hunger leading to famine due to failure of the seasonal rains needed by crops. When the rains returned to normal, the Ga people celebrated by creating the Homowo festival hence it name and meaning.
Therefore, "Homowo" actually means 'making fun of hunger.'
The Homowo festival starts with the planting of crops before the May rainy season and continues through August. The actual time for the August celebration is determined by the Chief Priests after they consult with the Lagoon Oracles.
Sometime in June, there is a total ban on noise making throughout the Ga State, and fishing is limited to certain days.
In early August, the celebrations begin with a special Yam festival in honour of the spirits, the eternal protectors of the Ga people.
All Ga people are required by traditional law to return to the homes of their father's for the celebration of the Homowo festival. The main celebration starts with the arrival of all the Ga people who live outside the state and during the appointed week in the month of August, thousands of people come from near and far to all the Ga cities.
On the Thursday before the main celebration, thousands of people arrive from the outlying villages with their harvested crops of all kind. They are referred to as "Thursday People" or (Soobii). The Soobii, the local townspeople, and parades of musicians meander through the streets all day and into the night.
It is a time for romance. Young people meet each other, get acquainted, and start new relationships.
At dawn on Friday, a memorial service is held to honour all those who died during the previous year. Crying is heard from homes and streets all over the Ga State. Later on in the morning, there is a birthday celebration for all twins. Twins and all multiple births are revered by the Ga people and are regarded as a special blessing from God.
The celebrations continue on Saturday, the Homowo Day itself, the day on which food for the festival, called "kpekpele," is cooked in large quantities. This special dish is prepared by steaming fermented corn meal. This is eaten with traditional palm soup prepared with lots and lots of smoked fish.
During the day, each sub-chief within the city sprinkles some kpekpele at prescribed locations. This is done to please the gods and the ancestors. The head of each family also sprinkles kpekpele in special places.
After these rituals are performed, people begin dancing and drumming through the streets. Visitors and strangers are encouraged to visit any home where they are welcome and invited to share in the traditional meal.
The celebrations continue all Saturday night, and until Sunday morning - which begins the Ga New Year. On Sunday morning the preparations start all over for the coming year.