Otumfuo Sparkles 2022 Hogbetsotso Festival
At the heart of the Anloga township, a very important traditional festival gets underway.
In this year’s event, the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has journeyed several miles from the Asante Kingdom to celebrate and grace the 2022 Hogbetsotso Festival with the Awoamefia of Anlo State, Torgbui Sri III, as the Distinguished Guest of Honour.
The 2022 Hogbetsotso Za dubbed: “60 Years of Anlo Hogbetsotso Za, Uniting for Development, Sustaining our Unique Cultural Commonwealth” also saw in attendance the President of the Republic, H.E Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo-Addo, who was represented by the Vice President, H.E Dr Mahamud Bawumiah, Daasebre Akuamoah Agyapong II, Kwahuhene, and Ga-Mantse, Nii Tackie Teiko Tsuru II.
And even before the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II and Awoamafia of Anlo State, Torgbui Sri II and other guests could sit in state, the frantic and energetic drummers were already performing at a fever pitch. They just won’t take a break.
They are part of a longstanding tradition whose epicentre is the powerful institution of chieftaincy. Under heirs of long-line royals, they are all accorded a place of honour, especially, at this durbar.
Pomp and pageantry, heightened by a showcase of traditional regalia from the exquisite Ghanaian kente, to the traditional ahenema sandals, coupled with beads and the sparkling gold ornaments. All these are the mark of true royalty here.
But, believe me, you won’t get the full picture of this elaborate traditional arrangement until you witness the grand ushering in of the Asante Monarch, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene, a colourful royal procession interspersed with intermittent gun salute.
This is when you come face to face with talking feet, expressing an obvious status symbol. The procession goes along with everyone wanting to have a piece of His Royal Majesty on his camera.
And on occasions like this, sons and daughters of Anlo-Ewe work overtime to put up the best show for their royals. And wait, even foreigners are at risk of deculturation.
And when the Asantehene finally sits in state, the salutation given to him by Paramount chiefs and their Queen mothers, chiefs and sub-chiefs and people from all walks of life across the length and breadth of the country is one of a kind. Indeed, a distinguished guest of honour for Hogbetsotso Za is sparkling the serenity of Anloga with true royalty.
The Hogbetsotso Festival is celebrated by the chiefs and people of Anlo in the Volta Region of Ghana. Some major Anlo towns include Anloga (capital), Keta, Kedzi, Vodza, Whuti, Srogboe, Tegbi, Dzita, Abor, Afiadenyigba, Anyako, Konu, Alakple, Atsito , Atiavi, Deʋegodo, Atorkor, Tsiame and many other villages. The festival is celebrated annually on the first Saturday in November at Anloga which is the customary and ritual capital of the Anlo state.
The name of the festival is derived from the Ewe language and translates as, the festival of exodus. or “coming from Hogbe (Notsie)”. The celebration of the festival was instituted about four decades ago. It is celebrated to portray the escapement of the Anlo people from their wicked king, King Agorkoli in Notsie.
In the face of a fast-changing society, the tenacity of the chieftaincy institution here in the Volta Region is simply amazing. If what we have seen here today is anything to go by then indeed culture and tradition are here to stay.
Source: Opemsuo.com/ Emmanuel Owusu Anti.
