The people of Teshie, a fishing community along the coast of Accra, have rounded off their annual Homowo festival with a street carnival and party jam. The event, which attracted a gargantuan crowd, made up of indigenes and foreigners displayed the rich cultural heritage of the Teshie to the rest of the world.
The street carnival which is referred to as Kpaa Shimo is celebrated with war like songs composed by the local people. The song is laced with satire and obscenities aimed at exposing some of the ills of the community and the country at large.
This year, the chieftaincy dispute and the power crises were the major themes of the songs. Various groups such as Mind You, Ananse, Jah Labour, Ghana, Tafo Y3 Fe3o and Port were the main bearers of the theme songs. They wielded huge flags and artifacts and relics relevant to the culture and traditions of the people.
The festival official marked the end of the Homowo festival in all the Ga land which comprises of Ga Mashie, Osu, La, Teshie, Nungua and Tema. The festival is celebrated to mark the end of famine that plagued the people upon their migration from Israel to their present settlement.
Onlookers clapped and cheered the celebrants who wore outrageous costumes and ‘official’ clothes that depicted professions and imaginable situations-soldiers, farmers, fishermen, newlywed, sportsmen etc.
A young man who seemed to be possessed and clad in white with green leaves hanging around his neck, carried the Sese – a liquid concoction that symbolizes cleansing, heading towards the beach for the final rituals, with some priests and opinion leaders trailing him.
The celebration continued in the night which saw the youth of the town partying to trending songs from large speakers mounted at vantage points, stretching from First Junction to Lascala, all areas of Teshie.
Rap shows, dance competition and other entertainment shows were organized.
Check out the photos below…
