The Hogbetsotso festival is celebrated by the chiefs and peoples of Anloga in the Volta region of Ghana.[1] The festival is celebrated on the first Saturday in the month of November every year.[1] The name of the festival is derived from the Ewe language and translates as, the festival of exodus.[2]
Contents |
The Anlo's are a tribe in the eastern coast of Ghana. Prior to their settling in their present location, they lived in Notsie a town in present day Togo.[3] It is believed that they had migrated from southern Sudan to settle in Notsie.[3] Oral traditions has it that they lived under a wicked king, Togbe Agorkoli. In order to escape his tyrannical rule, the people had to create a hole in the mud wall the surrounded the town. They did so by instructing the women to their water on particular place in the wall anytime they had to dispose off any water.[2] That spot over time became soft thereby allowing the town folks to break the wall and escape. Traditions have it that, for the escaping group to avoid detection, they walked backwards with their faces towards the town they were running from.[2]
Various ceremonies are held during the festival. They include a peace-making period in which all disputes are ended with the finding of amicable solution.[4] It is believe that the reason for this period of peace making is to encourage the continuance of a tradition. This is because the people believe their ancestors lived in harmony with themselves all through their escape from Notsie and that it was this character that made their sojourn a success.[2] There is also a purification ceremony of the traditional stools, this is followed by general cleaning in all the villages. are swept and rubbish burnt. This cleaning ceremony starts at the Volta Estuary and ends after several days. The climax of the festival involves a durbar of the chiefs and peoples of Anlo. The chiefs dress in colorful regalia and receive homage from their subjects at the durbar grounds.[5] Various forms of dancing, singing and merry-making characterize the entire festival.[2]
The Borborbor is the traditional dance of the people of Anlo. During the grand durbar of the chiefs, the dance is vigorously performed.[2] It is an intense dance that involves rapid tapping of the dancer's side accompanied by intricate foot work.