Ghana's annual Hogbetsotso Festival took place in Anloga on Saturday, with traditional music and spectacular dances drawing thousands of visitors.
The theme of this year's festival was ‘Building Bridges: From a Common History to a Common Destiny’.
Footage shows a procession of performers in bright and colourful costumes paying homage to the community’s legendary escape from the tyrannical rule of King Agorkoli of Notsie in present-day Togo through their ‘Glimetoto’ dance. They symbolically walked backwards, reenacting how their ancestors outwitted pursuers.
“Our forefathers walked backwards so that their footprints showed a forward movement into the palace before the people of Notsie, led by King Agorkoli at the time, could realise that the people of Dogbo, or Anlo today, were moving away, it was already too late,” the festival's Deputy General Coordinator, Godsway K. Hanyabui, explained.
The ruler of the Ewe State of Anlo, Awoamefia of Anlo Togbi Sri III, observed the radiant celebration at Hogbe Park. Dufia of Tegbi and spokesperson of Torgbui Sri III, Torgbui Haxormene IV, read a speech on his behalf.
“The Hogbetsotso Festival is not merely a commemoration of our exodus from Notsie. It is a celebration of endurance, vision, unity, the very spirit that burns us as Anlos,” he stated.
Among others, several Ghana’s high officials attended the vibrant festival, including Paramount Chief (Akwamuhene) and the President of the Akwamu Traditional Council, Odeneho Kwafo Akoto III, and Chief of Staff Julius Debrah, who represented the president of Ghana.
“It is so impressive, unadulterated and very authentic, from the dancing to all the performances that we've seen today,” Debrah commented.
Visitors shared their joy at the grand display of Ewe culture and history, noting the importance of preserving rich African heritage.
“When I saw them performing, I was like in heaven, you understand, because this is who we are. This is our culture,” said attendee Albertine Sena Kwakumey.
The festival is celebrated by the people of Anlo in the Volta Region annually on the first Saturday in November.
Follow us on: WhatsApp cutt.ly/WhatsAppCFM https://twitter.com/capitalfmkenya/ https://www.facebook.com/capitalfmkenya https://www.instagram.com/capitalfmkenya
Subscribe to Capital FM News for More: https://goo.gl/um4AGk
98.4 Capital FM 93.0 Western Kenya 98.5 Nakuru and Nyeri 104.5 Malindi 102.7 Garissa 103.9 Meru 106.5 Kitui 104.9 Voi
03:38There is a bound that links Akwemu, Anglon and Asante, a bound older than the modern states, grounded in the respect, mutual aid and the understanding that though we are distinct in tongue and custom, we are united in spirit and in purpose.
04:08As we stand here today celebrating your heritage, we celebrate also the enduring strength of our Ghanaian tradition, that sacred cord that ties all our kingdoms and peoples together.
04:38In escaping from the walls of Ngoche, our forefathers walked backwards so that their footprints showed a forward movement into the palace.
04:53Before the people of Ngoche, led by King Agwokoli at the time, who realized that the people of Dobo Nyibo or Anglon today were moving away, it was already too late.
05:10When I saw them performing, I was like in heaven, you understand?
05:34Because this is who we are. This is our culture. It's not a sin. We are actually celebrating what our ancestors did and honoring them.
05:44And so we have Uh VII. And so the girls, as we died here, come down.
Be the first to comment