Stories and facts

The Akomase Festival is a traditional celebration observed by the people of the Gomoa Ajumako Traditional Area in the Central Region of Ghana.

Celebrated annually, the festival holds deep cultural significance, serving as a time for the community to honor their ancestors, promote unity, and celebrate their rich heritage.

Rooted in the history and traditions of the Gomoa people, the Akomase Festival is named after the word "Akomase," which signifies rest or cessation of activities. Historically, this period allowed the community to pause their daily routines to reflect, give thanks, and pay homage to their ancestors.

The festival also featured communal activities such as cleaning ancestral shrines, performing rituals to invoke the blessings of the gods, and renewing family ties.

A key feature of the Akomase Festival is the "Akomase dura," a sacred ceremony where libations are poured, and traditional priests perform rituals to seek protection and prosperity for the community. The celebration also includes drumming, dancing, and the display of colorful traditional attire, showcasing the cultural richness of the Gomoa people.

In recent times, the Akomase Festival has evolved to incorporate modern elements like durbars of chiefs, parades, and other social activities.

These additions attract participants from various parts of Ghana and beyond, making the festival not only a means of preserving the Gomoa people’s cultural heritage but also an opportunity for the community to come together, reflect on their past, and plan for the future.

Explore the various festivals celebrated in Ghana below.