What is the Homowo Festival?

Homowo is a traditional harvest festival celebrated by the Ga people of Ghana. The Ga people belong to the Ga-Dagbe of Kwa people who live in Ghana’s Greater Accra region. They celebrate Homowo to remember the famine due to the failure of seasonal rains, which lead to failed crop harvests. Ga people created the Homowo festival when the rains returned. The word Homowo (Homo- hunger, wo– hoot) can mean “to hoot (or jeer) at hunger” in the Ga language.

The festival starts in August. The festival begins with the planting of mainly maize and yam before the start of the rainy season.

The festivities include a parade down the streets with painted faces, singing, chanting, beating drums, and performing traditional dances. During the festival, they perform a dance called Kpanlogo. Other ethnic groups sometimes join in the celebrations and are always welcomed.

What are the main activities during the festival?

The Homowo Festival involves a grand procession where people wear traditional attire, dance, and sing through the streets. Traditional drumming and the sprinkling of “kpekple,” a special dish, are essential parts of the celebration.

What is the significance of the food offerings at the Homowo Festival?

The food offerings, like the traditional dish “kpekple,” represent abundance and plenty. It’s a way for the Ga people to express their thankfulness for the improved harvest and to remember the times when food was scarce.