Ohum Festival is a traditional festival celebrated by Akuapems and Akyems in the Eastern Region of Ghana. [1] [2] [3] [4]
The festival is celebrated on a Tuesday/Wednesdays in September or October depending on the month Ohumkan festival was celebrated by the Akyems and on a Sunday in December or January for the people of Akuapem. Prior to it celebration, a two week ban on noise-making is imposed. [5] The Akyems thank their creator for blessing their land with the Birim river. They use products from their lands and the river as symbols to remember their ancestors who struggled and persevered in keeping their society intact. The people give pledges to continue the tradition and to keep their kingdom strong and free with prosperity and peace during the festival. They give pledge of allegiance to their king and his sub-chiefs and elders for their leadership and guidance. [6]
Ohumkyire is celebrated to give thanks to God for the New Yam Harvest and sake His favour in the coming year. [7] Also to celebrate the Akyem Nation. [5]
Akim Oda is a town in the Eastern Region of south Ghana and is the capital of the Birim Central Municipal District and the traditional capital of Akyem Kotoku. In 2013, Akim Oda had a settlement population of 60,604 people.
Kwahu refers to an area and group of people that live in Ghana and are part of the Twi-speaking Akan group. The area has been dubbed Asaase Aban, or the Natural Fortress, in view of its position as the highest habitable elevation in the country. Kwahu lies in the Eastern Region of Ghana, on the west shore of Lake Volta. The Kwahus share the Eastern Region with their fellow Akans: the Akyem and Akuapem, as well as the Adangbe-Krobos. A significant migrant population from the Northern and Volta Regions and some indigenous Guans from the bordering Oti and Brong East Regions live in the Afram Plains area. They work as traders, farm-hands, fisherfolk, and caretakers in the fertile waterfront 'melting pot'.
The Akyem are an Akan people. The term Akyem is used to describe a group of four states: Asante Akyem, Akyem Abuakwa, Akyem Kotoku and Akyem Bosome. These nations are located primarily in the eastern region in south Ghana. The term is also used to describe the general area where the Akyem ethnic group clusters. The Akyem ethnic group make up between 3-4 percent of Ghana's population depending on how one defines the group and are very prominent in all aspects of Ghanaian life. The Akyem are a matrilineal people. The history of this ethnic group is that of brave warriors who managed to create a thriving often influential and relatively independent state within modern-day Ghana. When one talks of Ghanaian history, there is often mention of The Big Six. These were six individuals who played a big role in the independence of Ghana. Of the big six, people of Akyem descent made up the majority.
Akropong is a town in South Ghana and is the capital of the Akuapim North District, a district in the Eastern Region of South Ghana. This town is known for producing snails and palm oil. Akropong has a 2013 settlement population of 13,785 people.
The Atewa Range Forest Reserve is in the Akyem Abuakwa region of southeastern Ghana, near the town of Kibi, and south-west of the Kwahu Plateau which forms the south-west boundary of Lake Volta. The range runs roughly north–south, consisting of steep-sided hills with fairly flat summits. It is the last remains of the Cenozoic peneplain that once covered southern Ghana, and contains ancient bauxitic soils. The range is the site of an important forest reserve, and the source of three major rivers.
Okyenhene is the title of the Tribal King of Akyem Abuakwa, an old powerful traditional kingdom in the Eastern Region of Ghana. The Okyenhene is also referred to as the Kwaebibiremhene as his traditional territory is an area of a dense forest. Again, the Okyenhene is considered the head of the Asona clan. Asona is the largest of the clans of the Akans which includes the Oyoko, Aduana, Agona, Asakyire, Bretuo, Ekuona among others.
Adukrom is a town in the Okere District Assembly in the Eastern Region of Ghana. It shares borders with Awukugua Akuapem where Okomfo anokye was born The town is known for the Nifahene Stool of Akuapem and the capital of Okere District and situated on the beautiful Togo Atakora hills on the main Ho-Koforidua main trunk road in the northern part of Akuapem
Akuapim-Mampong is a town in the Akuapim North district of the Eastern Region of Ghana. It shares boundaries with Mamfe .It is famous for being the first place cocoa was planted in Ghana by Tetteh Quarshie
Of the populated places in the eastern region of Ghana, Larteh Akuapem is the capital of the Benkum Division of the Akuapem Traditional Council. It lies on the east of the ridge on the Akonnobepow.
Yaw is a masculine given name originating from the Akan people and their day naming system, meaning born on a Thursday in Akan language, following their day naming system. People born on particular days are supposed to exhibit the characteristics or attributes and philosophy, associated with the days. Yaw has the appellation "Preko" or "Opereba" meaning brave.
Berekuso is a town in the Eastern Region of Ghana, approximately an hour from Accra. It is located in the foothills of the Aburi Ridge, on a road linking the Accra suburb of Kwabenya with the hills around Aburi. The town is known for being the location of Ashesi University, the first liberal arts college in sub-Saharan Africa.
Amanokrom is a town in the Akuapim North District of the Eastern Region of Ghana. It shares border with Mamfe and Abotakyi
Abiriw is a town in the Okere District Assembly in the Eastern Region of Ghana.It shares border with Akropong and Dawu.
Dawu is a town in the Okere District Eastern Region of Ghana. It shares border with Abiriw and Awukugua
Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin is the 35th Chief of Akyem Abuakwa, also called Okyeman in the Eastern Region of Ghana. He was enstooled on October 4, 1999, to succeed his brother, Osagyefo Kuntukunuku.
Nana Dokua was the queen mother of Akyem Abuakwa. She was the one who welcomed the King of the Dwabens called Nana Kwaku Boateng and his army. A civil war broke out between the Ashantis and the Dwabens in 1832, six years after the battle of Akatamansu. In 1824, during her regime, she also provided refuge for the Kotokus who had also assisted Abuakwa in some wars against the Ashantis. During her reign, part of the Juabens revolted against the Ashantis. Nana Kwaku Boateng was the leader of the rebels who was their chief. They were forced to leave Juaben in Ashanti for the south.
Awukugua is a town in the Okere District Assembly in the Eastern Region of Ghana. It shares border with Abiriw and Dawu.'
Mamfe is a town in the Akuapim North Municipal District of the Eastern Region of south Ghana. It shares borders with Amanokrom and Akropong
Kitase is a town in the Akuapim South Municipal District of the Eastern Region of south Ghana. It shares borders with Peduase which is one of the entry points from Accra to Akuapem.