Zumbenti Festival: Honouring ancestral gods and reuniting families in the Upper West Region

Stories and facts

The Zumbenti Festival is an annual cultural event celebrated by the chiefs and people of Kaleo, located in the Nadowli district of Ghana's Upper West Region.

This vibrant festival typically takes place in April, although some accounts suggest it may also be celebrated in May.

The Zumbenti Festival is a time of great communal celebration, marked by traditional clothing, dancing, drumming, and a durbar of chiefs.

Visitors are warmly welcomed and invited to partake in shared food and drinks, creating an atmosphere of unity and festivity.

The festival holds deep cultural significance for the people of Kaleo. It serves as an opportunity to express gratitude to their ancestral gods, cleanse the land of evil spirits, and pacify the gods.

It also plays a crucial role in reuniting families and is considered an auspicious time for contracting marriages.

The Zumbenti Festival is a powerful expression of the rich cultural heritage and traditions of the Kaleo people, reflecting their deep connection to their history and spiritual beliefs.

Explore the various festivals celebrated in Ghana below.

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