Cape Coast’s Fetu Afahye in pictures

However, it is believed that the inhabitants of Cape Coast and its environs were able to eliminate this plague with the help of their gods, hence, the name “Fetu” originally known as “Efin Tu” – doing away with dirt. It is also observed to commemorate a pumper harvest from the sea as well as performing rituals to thank the seventy seven (77) gods of Oguaa Traditional Area.

Preparation for the festival occurs in the last week of August. During this period, the Oguaa Traditional area receives a lot of visitors from all works of life as well as people from different parts of the country or outside the country who are natives of Oguaa state. The actual celebration follows in September.

Prior to the actual celebration of the festival, the Omanhen is confined for a week. During this period of confinement, he meditates and asked for wisdom from the creator (Aboadzi) and ancestors as well as seeking medical attention where necessary from his physician to enable him come out both physically and mentally fit for the impending activities such as delivering of his tasks for the success of the festival. At the end of Omahen’s confinement, he appears in public in a pomp dignity and goes to the stool house to pour libation seeking blessing from the seventy-seven gods of Oguaa state. They believe that these seventy-seven gods of Oguaa state steers the affair of Oguaa traditional area.

It is also noted that before the festival, all sort of drumming festivities and drumming sounds are banned as tradition demands as well as fishing in the “Fosu” lagoon, lying between The Government Central Hospital and stretching to a place called Aquarium to ensure a quiet and peaceful environment. It is believe that this done to allow the spirits of Oguaa state take over and lead the planners of the festival. This is usually observed before the first of September.

The custodians of the “Fosu” Lagoon (Amissafo) of Oguaa Traditional Area also pour libation at the estuary of the Lagoon to invoke spirit of their ancestors to eradicate any bad omen that may befall visitors involved in the festival. The aim of pouring libation is also to call for pumper harvest of fish and crops. In all, they call for prosperity.

Another important event worth observing is the “Amuntumadeze” literally meaning health day. This is a day when both the old and the young make effort in cleaning the environment such as guttering of waste, cleaning of choked gutters and painting of all building in the area with the aim of beautifying the environment before the actual grand durbar of “Bakatue”.

By: Faustine Akwa|