Where it's at
Aboakyer is celebrated in the southern coastal region between
Accra and Cape Coast, in the township of Winneba. You
can witness the town gathering together and join the celebrations
that erupt after the deer has been caught.
History of the festival
Aboakyer derives from an ancient rite where sacrifices are
traditionally offered to the god Otu in order to remove
evil and predict a good harvest. It is said that the people
from the ancient Western Sudan Empire migrated south, and
settled in Simpa (what is now Winneba). To celebrate
this, the priest instructed them on behalf or their god, to
offer a young member of the Royal Family every year as a sacrifice.
The people appealed this, and the substitution of a wild cat
was accepted as a sacrificial offering, provided it was caught
alive and beheaded before the god. However, so many lives
were lost in attempting to capture the wild cat, that they
appealed a second time to Penkyi Otu, named after the
place the people settled, and he accepted the offering of
a young bushbuck. This story was sang in war chants and protected
until it could be inscribed in English.
What happens at Aboakyer?
The festival occurs on the first Saturday in May and the celebrations
last all weekend. This festival is now more commonly known
as the deer-hunting festival, as the human sacrifices
have been replaced with the hunting and slaying of an antelope.
This is one of the few times the strict enforcement of the
hunting ban is overlooked, as this is a very important part
of the Simpa peoples' calendar.
The hunters must go out into the bush unarmed and bring back
a live antelope to the towns' chief. The element of competition
here is strong as teams compete to be the first to present
their prize to the elders and be declared champion.
Getting there
Following the main coast highway from Accra or Cape Coast,
turn off at the Swedru junction, and follow the road until
you reach Winneba.
Accommodation
It is possible stay on the beach in Winneba; enquire at the
Sir Charles Tourist Centre, which also offers good
value bungalows, for a few dollars. For spectacular sea-views
from your bedroom check out the Winneba Rest House,
the rooms are basic but comfortable.
Other things to see and do
The pottery at Winneba is beginning to attract its
own following as a local craft and is in fact very good. The
town itself rests on high ground between the Muni and
Oyibi lagoons. It's a fishing town with lots of character,
but little else to do if you miss the festival and come here
at any other time of year. Take time to visit the posuban
shrine, a painted cement structure symbolising the Asafo
warriors' achievements. The Asafo are the military-style companies
whom once protected the Fante people from invasion. These
elaborate structures are fascinating to see and often accompanied
by priests who can break down the role and history of the
particular company the shrine is dedicated to. |
