The King of the Ga State, Ga Mantse, King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II on Saturday the 21st August, 2021, visited the King Tackie Tawiah Mausoleum, the Royal Ancestral mausoleums of the Ga State and other sacred places in some parts of Accra to climax the annual Homowo festivities.
Clad in red, and accompanied by his elders, queen mothers, Asofoiatsemei from various parts of Accra including Nungua, Osu, Kwabenya and a large crowd all clad in red, a sign of seriousness, grief at the loss of loved ones and the use of palm oil to prevent soiling of clothes, and in a show of massive support, the Ga Mantse sprinkled kpokpoi and poured libation on the sacred graves amidst drumming, singing of Asafo songs and the firing of muskets.
It is customary and a tradition to visit the Royal mausoleums every year to sprinkle kpokpoi, to complete the Homowo festival in Ga Mashie.
This evidently tells us that the festival is not only for the living, but the dead are also partakers, they are respected and remembered.
This unique occasion of the annual Homowo festival, celebrated by the people of GA state within the country, is always accompanied by the sprinkling of “Kpokpoi”, a traditional festive food made from maize and palm nut soup as a sign of shaming and hooting at hunger.
The King of the Ga State, King Dr. Tackie Teiko Tsuru II and his very large entourage, visited the King Tackie Tawiah Mausoleum at the Accra Brewery premises, the Royal Mausoleum at Tesano, the King Tackie Tawiah Statue at Makola and some other parts of Accra.
The Ga Mantse at each Mausoleum, poured libation on behalf of all bereaved families, and sprinkled Kpokpoi on the various tombs of the departed loved ones and said prayers for their souls.
All family members who had their relatives buried there brought their traditional drinks for the pouring of libation.
At the Accra Brewery Mausoleum, where it is believed King Tackie I was buried, the Ga Mantse toured the entire facility sprinkling kpokpoi and said prayers for both the living and the dead.
The Ga Mantse and his entourage thereafter, took to the streets and marched peacefully from Accra Brewery through CMB, UTC, Makola, Rawlings Park, and Post Office in Accra to the Ga Paramount Stool House, amidst the firing of muskets and singing of Asafo songs.
The march by the Ga Mantse and his entourage, was greeted by a huge crowd mostly market women and other pedestrians who hailed him, singing his praises and wished him well as he leads the Ga State.
The event also saw various 'Asafo' groups such as Teiko Tsuru We Asafo, Ga Asafo ,Osu Asafo, Krowor (Nungua) Asafo, Kwabenya Asafo, Ga Mantse Royal Guards,other Asafoiatsemei, Asafoianyemei and various other Asafo groups with pomp and pageantry, a real sight to behold.
The High Priestess at the Ga paramount Stool house, Ga Mantse Afieye asserted that this year’s Homowo celebration has been a more successful and glorious one, quite different from the previous years, a sign of stability, peace and unity within the Ga State.
Below are some pictures:
Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith
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