Story by Nathaniel Nii Kotei Ashie (Adoa TV US Correspondent)
The 29th celebration of Homowo, a vibrant and culturally significant event, was recently held in Pennsylvania, bringing together the Ga and Ga-Dangme people of Ghana to honor their rich heritage. Homowo, which translates to “hooting at hunger,” is a festival deeply rooted in the history of the Ga people from the Greater Accra Region of Ghana.
The event, which took place on August 17, 2024, at 4100 Chamounix Dr. in Philadelphia, was a testament to the resilience and cultural pride of the Ga-Dangme community in the diaspora. The festivities began at 3 p.m. with a liberation ceremony led by George Nunoo, who prayed to the gods for another successful year in the celebration of festival. Following this, the Chairman of the Ga-Dangme community in Pennsylvania, Daniel Quartey, performed the necessary rites, including the sprinkling of Kpokpoi, a traditional dish made from steamed cornmeal, as part of the ritual. He was supported by the queen mother in the person of Manye Naa Korkor Botor I
Hundreds of people gathered to participate in the festivities. Dressed in traditional attire, the community engaged in various rituals, dances, and the sharing of traditional dishes like Kpokpoi with palm nut soup. These activities were not just a celebration of the past but also a reaffirmation of their cultural identity in a foreign land.
The event saw the attendance of notable figures such as Bart Biney, Chairman of GaDangme Kpee of New York accompanied by Dj Jeff Annan, and Raphael Quaye-Mensah Laryea, and other representatives from Delaware and New Jersey.
They shared their thoughts on the importance of the festival in preserving Ga-Dangme culture. The celebration concluded with an evening of food, dance, and music, with DJ Johnny providing entertainment.