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The Awubia festival: A celebration of history and identity

The annual Awubia festival of the Awutu people of the Awutu/Senya District begins from the  August 29, 2013 and climaxes on September 3, 2013.

This year’s celebration is on the theme: “Peaceful co-existence for accelerated development.”

It will be a week of cultural expression and activity that will celebrate the successful achievement of a bumper harvest, which the people of Awutu refer to as “Bia”, and the ceremonial offering of thanks to the gods and ancestors .

The chiefs and people of Awutu will also use the occasion to mourn and remember loved ones who have passed away during the course of the year and subsequently make merry.

This was contained in a press release signed and issued by the Paramount Chief of the Awutu Traditional Area, Abokuade Wyettey Agyemang Otabil III.

The statement mentioned some of the activities scheduled for Thursday, August 29, 2013 as ‘NTSU TOR’ meaning the clearing of the traditional path, a clean-up exercise, cleansing of all family stools and the official beginning of  the Awutu Awubia to signify the beginning of this year’s celebrations.

A musical bash will follow later that evening from 9 p.m. till day break.

Other highlights of the celebrations would be an educational quiz, outdoor and indoor games, a football match and a gospel rock show.

The festival will serve as a useful platform for individuals of all age groups to come together, celebrate and benefit from activities such as a free eye-screening exercise, a non-denominational church service, among others.

The statement said President John Dramani Mahama was expected to be the special guest, to witness the vibrant culture of the Awutu people during the grand durbar of chiefs, cultural displays and street carnival.

On the sixth day of the celebrations, all those present will have the honour of witnessing the swearing-in of the newly installed chiefs.

 The festival will be a period for the people of Awutu to showcase who they are, what they believe in and what they cherish; the values of thanksgiving and celebrating the essence of ‘communality.’”

The statement went on to say, “from a practical, economic standpoint, the celebration of festivals adds value to our tourism sector and benefits the nation in its entirety.”

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