President Nana Akufo-Addo is the special guest of honour for the 2019 Breman Odwira festival.
Omanhene of Breman Traditional area, Nana Amoakwa Boadu Vlll announced this during the has launched at Breman in the Asikuma Odoben Brakwa district of the Central region over the weekend.
The festival which promises to be very entertaining is slated for October 29 to November 17, 2019.
BACKGROUND OF THE ODWIRA FESTIVAL
The Breman Odwira festival celebrated by the people of Breman state is unique and an integration of smaller but culturally rich festivals such as Okyir, Bayerdi, Akwanbo, Abangye, Essa and Ahwie.
The festival celebration is very enlightening and entertaining, and brings home natives of the traditional area as well as friends and well-wishers across the globe. It also provides avenue for the display of our rich tradition and culture, reminding us of our root and how far we have come as a state.
ABANGYE
The Abangye commemorates the original annual ceremonial re-fencing of the Tomb of the first Omanhene of Breman Asikuma, Nana Amoakwa Buadu I, with palm fronds during which aspiring Mothers perform faith rituals and prayers at the Tomb to be blessed with children.
Mothers, whose prayers for previous years have been duly answered with children, usually present their children to be given special marks. The occasion is also used to access able-bodied men who could be used in case of war and is based on the number of men who presented palm fronds.
BAYERDI
Bayerdi ushers in the Odwira Afahye and takes place during the Awukudae preceding the Akwasidaekese of the festival. This occasion marks harvesting of Yam during which prepared yam meals are sent to various ‘Stool Houses’.
This is followed by a Nine (9) day’s ban on drumming and noise making. A ban on funerals is also enforced and only lifted on the next Awukudae after Akwasidaekese..
AKWANBO
The ban on drumming is lifted by the Twafo Division on the evening of the Ninth (9) day which falls on Thursday amidst drumming and chanting of war songs through the principal streets of Breman Askiuma.
This is repeated on the following day. The Akwanbo commemorates the annual ceremonial clearing of all weeds along the original routes taken by our ancestors to the present site of Breman. Akwanbo is organized by the Adonten/ Banmu Asafo Companies on the first Tuesday after the lifting of ban on drumming.
During this period, the Adonten/ Asafo Companies lead the Omanhene to ‘PINPINSO’ (The Y junction facing Breman Benin). They are then joined by the Banmu Asafo Company where special rites are performed.
This colourful occasion is characterised by drumming and chanting of war songs by the Asafo Companies. After the rites at ‘PINPINSO’, the Asafo Company is led by the Omanhene who is also followed closely by the ABENA Group back to the Palace.
This epitomizes the peaceful and triumphant entry to Breman Asikuma by our ancestors from Ashanti.
EGYATO
PRESENTATION OF FIREWOOD (ESSA)
This commemorates the original presentation of firewood popularly known in Akan as ‘Essa’ to the Omanhene’s Palace for the purpose of preparing mashed yam and also to be used by the Omanhene’s wife throughout the ensuing year.
This occasion is characterized by drumming and chanting of war songs by the Adonten Asafo Company. Here, Chiefs, the Aged and Youth, both Male and Female joyfully carry pieces of firewood on their shoulders to the Omanhene’s Palace.
The Twafo/ Banmu Division are the first to present their firewood followed by Adonteng Asafo Company, Abena Group and lastly the kronti Divisions in that order. The Omanhene sits in state at the Palace with Kyidom, Gyaase and Ankobea Divisions to receive the firewood amidst drumming of fontonfrom.
The Odwira Festival purification of Omahene’s stool and regalia takes place on the Saturday preceding the Akwasidaekese. The Omanhene sits in state at his place to receive homage from Chiefs, People, and well-wishers during the Akwasidaekese
Source: Ghana|Asempa FM|Kobby Stonne