By Edzorna Francis Mensah
The Member of Parliament for La Dadekotopon in the Greater Accra Region, Rita Odoley Sowah, has expressed joy over the successful celebration of this year’s Homowo Festival of the La people.
According to her, “we have a unique culture; I believe you have seen things for yourself: the way the Wulormor dances, Woryei, Asafortsemei, and the Manklalo and co. were there to dance and to showcase the rich culture of the La people—Shakamor represents unity among the La people.”
The MP noted that this year, the participation is huge, and “as a La citizen and MP for the area, I am happy and excited over the turnout and peaceful nature the celebrants have comported themselves”.
The festival under the theme ‘Building a progressive La by safeguarding our heritage’, has witnessed hundreds of La citizens home and abroad participate in the ground durbar on August 23, 2023, to see a show of cultural display and dance known as Kpalala and Kpashimor led by La Kpa Wulormor, Nuumo Yemo Obrini VII, at the forecourt of New Lakpana.
In attendance was a delegation from Minority MPs led by MP for Ada and the Minority Deputy Chief Whip, Comfort Doyoe Cudjoe; and NDC Greater Regional Chairman, Emmanuel Nii Ashie Moore; former MP for La Dadekopon, Nii Amasa Namoali; former NDC Presidential Aspirant, Sylvester Mensah; as well as the representative from the office of the Speaker Bagbin; and NPP Parliamentary Candidate for La Dadekotopon in the person of Dr. Joseph Gerald Tetteh Nyanyofio.
The Homowo Festival is the annual festival of the Ga people and has been celebrated over the years with pomp and pageantry.
Homowo, which means hooting at hunger, is celebrated to mark the bumper harvest after a prolonged famine due to drought suffered by their ancestors during their exodus from Israel to their present settlements.
It is celebrated by the people of Tema, Nungua, Teshie, La, Osu, and Ga Mashie between May and September every year.
Aside from cooking, sprinkling, and eating Kpokpoi, the festive food that is the focus of the celebrations, each town has a unique way of celebrating the Homows festival.
History has it that the La Homowo Festival arguably stands out as the most patronised compared to the rest due to its numerous, beautiful, and captivating traditional and customary rites and other side attractions, which make it distinct and outstanding from those of the other Ga towns.
The La Homowo festival is celebrated with a unique song and dance known as ‘Kpalala’ and ‘Kpashimor’ respectively.
The celebration spans a period of four (4) months; it starts in the third week of May and ends in the second week of September.
It is patronised by people from all walks of life, from different ethnic groups, and of all ages.
