The Homowo festival is one of the most popular harvest festivals celebrated by the native Ga tribe in Ghana. ‘Ho-mo-wo’ means ‘hooting at hunger’ in Ga language. The festival is celebrated in remembrance of the migration of Gas and triumph over hunger with a bountiful harvest. It is marked by seeking blessings, making offerings, drumming, dancing and feasting. There are many reasons why the vibrant Homowo festival is an integral part of Ga’s cultural heritage.
Celebrates Abundant Harvest
Homowo signifies the awakening of a new corn crop. The festival celebrates prosperity as food has become plentiful with crops like millet, maize, fish and other produce becoming available at the time of its celebration.
People offer their gratitude for abundant yields and food security. It reinforces farming practices as the Ga people believe that generous offerings will secure more rainfall and future successful harvests. The highlight of lavish banquets during Homowo affirms the gathering of the crop.
Upholds Rich History & Heritage
The Homowo festival commemorates the migration story of the Ga ancestors from La Nimba in present-day Togo to Ayawaso, near present-day Accra during a time of famine. According to oral history and legends, their crops suffered destruction from extreme drought and hunger became widespread.
Under the leadership of Ayi Kushi and other priests, the people were guided to a luscious land. When they arrived, it rained heavily signaling the onset of the harvest season. In great joy, the famished people hooted ‘Ho mo wo’ meaning ‘hunger has perished, food is ready’. Homowo re-enacts this long tradition of perseverance and survival in the face of adversity with music, dance and merry-making.
It reinforces native Ga religious beliefs, folklore and shared identity. The norms, languages, art forms, attire and inheritance systems unique to Gas are transmitted to the next generation through this festival.
Promotes Social Cohesion & Unity
The Homowo festival promotes cultural values, relationships, affinity and unity among Ga people dispersed across Ghana such as La, Teshie, Nungua, Tema, Osu and GA Mashie.
During the festival, families come together, and bonds between community members strengthen over preparing traditional foods while youth are initiated into adulthood. It reinforces native hierarchy, customs and decision-making structures centred around chiefs and priests.
People dress in traditional outfits, and perform time-honoured music and dances like Kolomashie, Kpanlogo, and Adowa and social gathering etiquettes are transmitted to the young thereby upholding ancient Ga cultural institutions and identity.
Boosts Tourism & Local Economy
Homowo draws visitors from within Ghana and beyond to observe and immerse in Ga cultural heritage which boosts local tourism. The festival features value-addition activities which stimulate commercial growth for indigenous products. For example –
- Stalls sell handicrafts, pottery, leather goods, and shea butter products which provide income to artisans
- Locals earn income by providing homestays, operating food stalls, renting chairs etc.
- Cultural troupes earn money through performances.
The influx of tourists causes a direct trickle-down effect improving earnings for various local businesses, jobs and living standards for Gas. The tourism potential of the Homowo festival remains largely untapped and efforts are ongoing to enhance infrastructure to enable Ghana to host more tourists during Homowo in the future.
Key Milestones
Some key milestones related to the evolution and growing popularity of the Homowo festival are:
| Year | Highlights |
|---|---|
| 1450s | Ghana’s Minister for Tourism, Creative Arts & Culture attended the Homowo celebration, signalling government interest in using the festival to boost tourism |
| 1857 | Homowo celebrations occurred before Ghana’s independence proclamation after the lifting of 8-year ban |
| 1956 | Homowo celebrations occurred before Ghana’s independence proclamation after the lifting of an 8-year ban |
| 2009 | The earliest origin of the Homowo festival when Gas migrated from La Nimba to present-day Accra during the famine |
| 2022 | Ghana’s Minister for Tourism, Creative Arts & Culture attended the Homowo celebration, signalling government interest in using festival to boost tourism |
Conclusion
Homowo remains the most cherished festival for native Gas strongly intertwined with their worldview, identity and cultural tapestry. The underlying meanings behind observing the Homowo festival reinforce what makes the Ga community resilient – celebrating life and triumph over setbacks with music, dance and feasting. Alongside reviving time-honoured traditions, Homowo also stimulates tourism and commerce in Ghana. As Homowo continues to gain global recognition, its potential to display the rich prose and traditions of Gas to visitors while uplifting local livelihoods continues to expand.
