Ghana's Hogbetsotso Festival combines traditional Anlo dance and music

Описание: Ghana's annual Hogbetsotso Festival took place in Anloga on Saturday, with traditional music and spectacular dances drawing thousands of visitors.

The theme of this year's festival was ‘Building Bridges: From a Common History to a Common Destiny’.

Footage shows a procession of performers in bright and colourful costumes paying homage to the community’s legendary escape from the tyrannical rule of King Agorkoli of Notsie in present-day Togo through dance. They symbolically walked backwards, reenacting how their ancestors outwitted pursuers.

“Our forefathers walked backwards so that their footprints showed a forward movement into the palace before the people of Notsie, led by King Agorkoli at the time, could realise that the people of Dogbo, or Anlo today, were moving away, it was already too late,” the festival's Deputy General Coordinator, Godsway K. Hanyabui, explained.

The ruler of the Ewe State of Anlo, Awoamefia of Anlo Togbi Sri III, observed the radiant celebration at Hogbe Park. Dufia of Tegbi and spokesperson of Torgbui Sri III, Torgbui Haxormene IV, read a speech on his behalf.

“The Hogbetsotso Festival is not merely a commemoration of our exodus from Notsie. It is a celebration of endurance, vision, unity, the very spirit that burns us as Anlos,” he stated.

Among others, several Ghana’s high officials attended the vibrant festival, including Paramount Chief (Akwamuhene) and the President of the Akwamu Traditional Council, Odeneho Kwafo Akoto III, and Chief of Staff Julius Debrah, who represented the president of Ghana.

“It is so impressive, unadulterated and very authentic, from the dancing to all the performances that we've seen today,” Debrah commented.

Visitors shared their joy at the grand display of Ewe culture and history, noting the importance of preserving rich African heritage.

“When I saw them performing, I was like in heaven, you understand, because this is who we are. This is our culture,” said attendee Albertine Sena Kwakumey.

The festival is celebrated by the people of Anlo in the Volta Region annually on the first Saturday in November.