Edina Bronya Festival

Last updated

The Edina Bronya Festival is an annual harvest festival celebrated by the chiefs and peoples of Elmina in the Central Region of Ghana. The festival is a novel Christmas during the Dutch era of the colonial period. It is usually celebrated in the first Thursday of January every year. [1] [2] [3] [4]

Contents

History

After the Portuguese suffered defeat in the hands of the Dutch in 1627, they introduce a form of 'Christmas' locally known as Bronya to the local people. It coincides with the Dutch Festival and signifies the relationship between the people of Elmina and the Dutch. [5]

Celebrations

Families and friends get together to celebrate with merry-making and eating. On the eve of the festival, shots are fired at midnight by the Paramount Chief to usher into the New Year. The Paramount Chief rides in a palanquin on the following day. [6] Sheep are slaughtered in front of the Elmina castle. [7]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fante people</span> Ethnic group in Ghana

The Mfantsefo or Fante are an Akan people. The Fante people are mainly located in the Central and Western regions of Ghana, occupying the forest and coastal areas. Their land stretches from the Pra estuary in the west to the Accra borders in the east. The Fante can be broadly categorized into two groups - the Borbor Fante and the non-Borbor Fante. Over the last half century, due to fishing expeditions, Fante communities have been established as far as Gambia, Liberia and even Angola. Major Fante cities in modern Ghana include Kasoa, Winneba, Agona Swedru, Tarkwa, Oguaa, Edina (Elmina), Mankessim, Sekondi, and Takoradi.

The Fante Confederacy refers either to the alliance of the Fante states in existence at least since the sixteenth century, or it can also refer to the modern Confederation formed in 1868. The Confederation is seen as one of the first and most prominent self-rule movements in Ghana and the entirety of Africa. Its mission was to shake off colonialism and establish a modern free democratic state.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Elmina Castle</span> Fort and former trading post in Elmina, Ghana

Elmina Castle was erected by the Portuguese in 1482 as Castelo de São Jorge da Mina, also known as Castelo da Mina or simply Mina, in present-day Elmina, Ghana, formerly the Gold Coast. It was the first trading post built on the Gulf of Guinea, and the oldest European building in existence south of the Sahara.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Elmina</span> Town in Central Region, Ghana

Elmina, also known as Edina by the local Fante, is a town and the capital of the Komenda/Edina/Eguafo/Abirem District on the south coast of Ghana in the Central Region, situated on a bay on the Atlantic Ocean, 12 kilometres west of Cape Coast. Elmina was the first European settlement in West Africa and it has a population of 33,576 people.

Robert Patrick Baffour,, was a Ghanaian engineer, politician and university administrator who served as the first Vice Chancellor of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST). He was also a pioneer in engineering education in Ghana.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bakatue Festival</span> Festival in Ghana by the people of Elmina

The Bakatue Festival is celebrated by the chiefs and peoples of Elmina in the Central Region of Ghana. The festival, established at least as far back as 1847, is celebrated on the first Tuesday in the month of July every year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Damba festival</span>

The Damba festival is the largest festival in Ghana, celebrated by the peoples of the Northern, Savanna, North East, Upper East and Upper West Regions of Ghana. In recent times, Damba has become a multinational festival, attracting visitors from all over the world. The festival is annually celebrated in Germany, USA, and UK.

The Mmoaninko festival is celebrated by the chiefs and peoples of Offinso in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. The festival is celebrated every 4 years.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Asafo</span> Warrior groups in Akan culture

Asafo are traditional warrior groups in Akan culture, based on lineal descent. The word derives from sa, meaning war, and fo, meaning people. The traditional role of the Asafo companies was defence of the state. As the result of contact with European colonial powers on the Gold Coast, the Fante, who inhabit the coastal region, developed an especially complex version of the concept in terms of its social and political organization based on martial principles, and with elaborate traditions of visual art, including flag banners with figurative scenes, and designs alluding to historical events or proverbs.

The Kpledjoo Festival is an annual harvest festival celebrated by the chiefs and peoples of Tema in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. It is usually celebrated in late March or first week in April.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kente Festival</span> Festival in Ghana by the Bonwire people

The Kente Festival is an annual harvest festival celebrated by the chiefs and peoples of Bonwire in the Ejisu-Juaben district in the Ashanti region of Ghana. It is usually celebrated in the month of January. Others also claim it is celebrated in July or August.

Yaa Asantewaa Festival is an annual festival celebrated by the chiefs and peoples of the Ejisu Traditional Area in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. It is usually celebrated in the month of August.

The Keta-Sometutuza or Keta-Sometutu Festival is an annual festival celebrated by the chiefs and peoples of Agbozume in Ketu South District in the Volta Region of Ghana. It is usually celebrated two weeks after the Hogbetsotso festival. It is celebrated by the Somey people of Agbozume, Denu and surrounding communities to commemorate their migration from Keta in 1792-94 after the Keta -Anloga War. It is usually celebrated on the 3rd Saturday in November.

Dzawuwu Festival is an annual traditional and thanksgiving festival celebrated by the chiefs and people of Agave Traditional Area in Dabala in the Volta Region of Ghana. It is usually celebrated in the month of February.

Wli Falls Festival is an annual festival celebrated by the chiefs and people of Wli Traditional Area in the Volta Region of Ghana. It comprises Todzi, Agoviefe and Afegame communities. It is usually celebrated in the month of September. Wli Falls is about 20 km from Hohoe.

Jintigi (Fire) Festival is an annual festival celebrated by the chiefs and people of Gonja Traditional Area in the Savannah Region, formally the Northern region of Ghana. Damongo which is the capital of Gonjaland serves as the epicenter of the festival. It is usually celebrated in the month of April.

Kpini Kyiu Festival is an annual festival celebrated by the chiefs and people of Wa in the Upper West region of Ghana. It is usually celebrated in the month of January.

Eddie Festival is an annual festival celebrated by the chiefs and people of Wassa in the Western Region of Ghana. It is usually celebrated in the month of January.

Kwafie Festival is an annual festival celebrated by the chiefs and people of Wenchi in the Bono region and Techiman and in the Bono East Region, which were all formally Brong Ahafo region of Ghana. It is usually celebrated in the month of July. The people of Dormaa, Berekum and Nsoatre also celebrate it in November/ December.

Daa Festival is an annual festival celebrated by the chiefs and people of Talensi Traditional Area especially the Baare and Tong Nayiri communities near Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region of Ghana. It is usually celebrated in the month of October.

References

  1. "Festival | The Embassy of the Republic of Ghana, Berlin, Germany" . Retrieved 2020-08-16.
  2. "Edina Bronya Festival in Elimina takes place on the 1st Thursday of January". viewGhana. 2018-02-15. Archived from the original on 2021-08-03. Retrieved 2020-08-16.
  3. Wilson, Steven A. "Check out this 9 day Masquerading and Edina Bronya tour in Ghana!". Easy Track Ghana. Retrieved 2020-08-16.
  4. "How 'Edina Bronya' came to be". Graphic Online. Retrieved 2020-08-16.
  5. "Edina Bronya Festival". viewGhana. Retrieved 2020-08-16.
  6. "Edina Bronya in Elmina" . Retrieved 2020-08-16.
  7. "Festivals Ghana - Easy Track Ghana". www.easytrackghana.com. Retrieved 2020-08-16.