The Aboakyer festival is a unique celebration that takes place annually in Winneba, a town located in the Central Region of Ghana. The name Aboakyer means “hunting for game or animal” in the Fante dialect, which is spoken by the people of the region. The festival is steeped in tradition and is held to commemorate the migration of the Simpafo people, who are the indigenous people of Winneba.

According to legend, the Simpafo people migrated from the North-Eastern African town of Timbuktu in the ancient Western Sudan Empire to their present land on the central coast of Ghana. During their migration, they believed that a god named Otu had protected them from all dangers. To show their appreciation, they consulted with the custodian of the god, who was a traditional priest that acted as an intermediary between the people and the god. They asked the god for its preferred sacrifice, and to their surprise, the god requested a human sacrifice from the royal family. This practice continued for some years but was later stopped as the people were no longer interested in human sacrifices.

The people then requested that the god change the type of sacrifice required, as they believed that continuing to sacrifice royalty could eventually wipe out the royal family. In response, the god asked for a type of wild cat to be caught alive and presented to it at its shrine. After the presentation, the animal was to be beheaded as a sacrifice. This was to be done annually in a festival.

Before the festival began, the people resettled the god at a town called Penkye. The god became known as Penkyi Otu, signifying its final home. To mark the festival, the people sought out the wild cat, which led to many deaths as the animal was to be captured alive and transported to Penkye. The people made a second appeal to Penkyi Otu to provide an alternative to the wild cat, which resulted in the decision to accept a mature bushbuck.

Since then, two hunting groups known as the Tuafo and Dentsifo have borne the task of capturing the live bushbuck and presenting it to the people at the durbar, which is the traditional gathering place for chiefs and their subjects. The festival takes place in May and is a major event in Ghana, drawing visitors from all over the world. During the festival, the warriors catch a bushbuck or deer with a weapon but with bare hands, which is a unique and thrilling experience to witness. The Aboakyer festival is a testament to the rich cultural heritage of the people of Winneba and a celebration of their ancestral roots.

The Festival

The Aboakyer festival is a popular cultural event celebrated annually on the first Saturday in May in Winneba, a town in the Central Region of Ghana. This festival is a significant part of the local culture, and it is steeped in history and tradition.

On the first day of the festival, the two Asafo companies, also known as warrior groups, participate in a hunting expedition. This expedition takes place in a game reserve that is specially designated for this purpose. The goal of the hunting expedition is to catch a live bushbuck.

The first troop to catch a live bushbuck from the game reserve and present it to the chiefs and people at a colorful durbar is declared the winner. This victory is highly regarded as it signifies bravery and strength. After the winner is announced, the bushbuck is sacrificed, which officially marks the beginning of the Aboakyer festival.

Apart from the hunting expedition, the festival is also used to give thanks for a productive harvest and seek spiritual guidance from the gods for the coming year. This celebration is a time for the people of Winneba to come together and celebrate their culture, heritage, and traditions.

READ NEXT ON: Hogbetsotso Festival