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When Is It Celebrated

  • The Odwira Festival typically takes place in September or early October each year.

    The specific date is set according to the traditional Akan calendar, aligned with the yam harvest and spiritual cycles.

    Origins and Meaning

    "Odwira" in Akan means "purification" or "cleansing". Historically, it marked:

    • The end of the harvest season

    • A time to honor ancestors

    • A period of ritual purification—physically, spiritually, and socially

    • A renewal of leadership and community bonds

    In Tutu, these themes are expressed through a week-long celebration involving sacred rituals, storytelling, traditional music, and communal feasting.

    • Dive into Aburi Festivals

    • Highlights of the Tutu Odwira Festival

      1. Ancestral Libation and Cleansing Ceremonies
        Elders and priests pour libation at ancestral shrines and sacred groves, asking for protection, rain, and a prosperous new year.
        There is also a symbolic cleansing of stools, which represent the souls of deceased chiefs.

    First Slide
    • Traditional Processions
      The chief (Omanhene) and elders ride in palanquins, accompanied by drumming, dancing, and cheers from the crowd.
      Dressed in colorful kente cloth, gold ornaments, and carrying royal regalia, the display is a striking symbol of continuity and pride.
    Second Slide
    • Durbar of Chiefs
      A major public gathering where all sub-chiefs and dignitaries pay homage to the paramount chief.
      It includes speeches, awards, and cultural displays showcasing drumming, dancing, and martial arts like Asafo performances.
    Third Slide

    Festivals of and around Aburi


    Peduase Presidential Lodge

    1. Yam Festival
      The new yam is ceremonially presented, boiled, and eaten after spiritual blessings.
      This symbolizes fertility, renewal, and thanksgiving for a successful harvest.

    2. Youth and Cultural Nights
      Contemporary events like concerts, pageants, and debates take place.
      Young people play a vital role in performances that blend tradition with modern creativity.

    Sacred Sites Around Tutu

    • Tutu Sacred Grove: Used for libation and cleansing ceremonies.

    • Ancestral shrines: Where the lineage of the town’s royal family is honored.

    Food and Drink

    Visitors can enjoy traditional Akuapem dishes:

    • Fufu with light soup

    • Yam and kontomire stew

    • Palm wine and pito (local brews)

    Feasting is communal and open, with guests from other towns warmly welcomed.