The Odwira festival a colorful custom and traditional celebration celebrated by the chiefs and people of Akuapem in the Eastern Region of Ghana is 200 years old this year 2026.
Okuapeman embodies the indigenous ethnic groups of the Akuapem state whose sons and daughters of the soil come together from their various destinations home and abroad, the diaspora all troupe in to their motherland during the Akuapem festival to celebrate odwira which is their heritage.
Akuapems of Okuapeman (the state of Akuapem) celebrates Odwira due to their victory over the Ashanti’s during the famous Katamanso War, also known as the Dodowa War in 1826.
The Katamanso War was an alliance between various tribes such as the Akuapems, Akyems, Akwamu’s, Ada’s, Fantes etc which was led by the British Army against the Ashantis.
The Ashanti kingdom led by Asantehene Osei Yaw Akoto suffered a great defeat loosing most of their treasuries which includes Odosu (the powerful war deity), ntakrakyaw, Oboman, gold dust and the great and powerful Golden stool which was later retrieved by the Ashanti’s.
History recalls that, the great warriors of Akuapem captured the Great War deity (Odosu) and other artifacts belonging to the Ashantis.
The Akwamu’s now Otublohum’s of Accra also captured gold dust from the Ashantis and have a celebration adorning themselves in gold attire to showcase their victory.
In past years, victories during battles were considered by treasuries once war leaders or generals were captured by their opponents.
It is important to note that, Odwira’s significance by the people of Akuapem includes thanksgiving, spiritual fortification and cleansing, Honoring our ancestors and their victory over the Ashanti’s in the Katamanso war of 1826.
Akuapem Odwira was instituted and first celebrated in October 1826 by Okuapehene Nana Addo Dankwa I in commemoration of Akuapem’s victory over Ashanti’s Army in the Katamanso War.
Odwira celebration in the Akuapem Kingdom or State is two (2) centuries; 200 years the year 2026 and the celebration this year(2026) would be insignificant and meaningless unless it is entrenched and celebrated in unity, peace, love, justice, the true history, culture, custom and traditions of Akuapem, the need for a sustainable development plan and most importantly the recognition of our heroes/heroines, every town, village and the people of Akuapem.
Odwira celebration in the Akuapem Kingdom or State is two (2) centuries; 200 years the year 2026 and the celebration this year(2026) would be insignificant and meaningless unless it is entrenched and celebrated in unity, peace, love, justice, the true history, culture, custom and traditions of Akuapem, the need for a sustainable development plan and most importantly the recognition of our heroes/heroines, every town, village and the people of Akuapem.
Source:Mybrytfmonline.com/NANA BEKOE DANKWA-Tufuhene of Adweso – Akuapem,
Founder of Okuapeman Global and CEO of NBD Consulting Group LTD.
