Stories and facts

The Danyiba Festival, more accurately known as Danyibaka, is a traditional celebration of the Akpini people of the Ewe ethnic group in Kpando, Ghana.

The festival commemorates the safe crossing of the Danyi River during the people’s historic migration from Notsie, a journey that took place about 450 years ago.

It is observed once every three years and holds deep cultural and spiritual meaning for the community.

According to tradition, the Akpini people were once blocked by the flooded Danyi River during their migration. In desperation, they made sacrifices to the river gods, who allowed them to cross safely.

After settling in their new home, however, they failed to return to the river to fulfill their promise of continued sacrifices.

As a result, they experienced a troubling period of three years in which there were no births or deaths in their community. This unnatural state of life and death was interpreted as punishment from the river gods.

Realizing their neglect, the people sought reconciliation by instituting the Danyibaka festival. Through sacrifices and rituals, they renewed their bond with the river gods, and prosperity, fertility, and normalcy returned to the land.

Today, the people of Kpando in the Volta Region continue to celebrate Danyibaka as both a spiritual and cultural event.

The festival is closely tied to the agricultural season, particularly the harvest of yam and maize. It features drumming, dancing, and thanksgiving prayers, all of which express gratitude to the gods and ancestors for their blessings.

The Danyibaka festival not only preserves the memory of the Akpini people’s migration and their covenant with the river gods but also reinforces their cultural identity and sense of unity.

It serves as a reminder of the importance of honouring traditions, keeping promises, and maintaining harmony with the spiritual world to ensure the continued well-being of the community.

Browse through the list of festivals observed in Ghana below.