The Okuapehene Ankobeahene, Nana Yaw Sakyi has debunked speculations that the 2022 Odwira festival has been canceled.
Aburihene Otoobuor Gyan Kwasi II last Friday told the media after a traditional council meeting that, the Odwira Festival has been canceled, and that, there will neither be durbar however various stools and royal families can perform rituals in their private homes to observe the festival.
The Aburihene cited a case filed by the Okuapehemaa against the Okuapehene Oseadeeyo Kwasi Akuffo III challenging his legitimacy at the National House of Chiefs.
However, the Okuapehene Ankobeahene Nana Yaw Sakyi told Bryt FM that, the celebration of the Odwira festival is inevitable therefore it cannot be canceled or banned however can be adjusted during the pandemic, and litigation among others.
He, therefore, emphasized that the 2022 Odwira festival is coming off as planned contrary to misinformation in the media
“I have not heard this strange statement before that Odwira has been canceled. Odwira cannot be canceled because it is part of our tradition and custom. It can be adjusted to suit situations like a pandemic when a chief is dead or there is litigation on that note somethings like durbar or carrying chiefs may not be done. Odwira is not only for the chiefs every stool that celebrates Odwira observes it. Odwira is a significant festival” the Okyenhene Ankobeahene said.
Okuapeman bans noise-making ahead of Odwira festival
Meanwhile, Okuapeman traditional Council has banned noise-making in preparation for Odwira Festival.
The traditional rite (Adaebutuw) was performed by the Okuapehene Oseadeeyo Kwasi Akuffo III with his sub-chiefs at the palace on Wednesday evening of August 3, 2022.
“Adaebutuw” is observance is a period of retreat from the stool house and the stools. All forms of noise-making activities are banned the drums are not beaten, dirges are not sung, burials and funerals are not held and mourning is also banned. Fun-making activities of all sorts are also banned. In short, it is a period of showing reverence to the gods and sacred stools by keeping noise levels to the barest minimum.
The period of Adaebutuw is observed from the eighth Awukudae counted six weeks (adaduanan) before celebrating Odwira.
Persons who flout the ban on noise-making are summoned and fined to slaughter sheep to pacify the gods.
During this period, the people also prepare for the celebration of Odwira during the period.
The Odwira festival will be celebrated from 12th September to 18th September 2022 right after the ban on noise making is lifted.
Source: Mybrytnewsroom.com/Obed Ansah/N. Kwaku Solomon
