THE TRADITION AND CULTURAL HERITAGE OF OTI REGION – DAMBAI
INTRODUCTION
The Oti Region is one of the six regions created in December, 2018. The region was carved out of the northern part of the Volta Region and was inaugurated on the 14th May, 2019 at Dambai as its Regional Capital
The Region is often described as a microcosm region, which means that if someone wishes to visit Ghana but constrained by limited resources or does not have enough time, visiting just the Oti Region will satisfy the curiosity of the traveler. This is because Oti Region has almost everything that other regions have and moreover, there are things that are unique only to the Oti Region, one can sustain itself with little resources.
The Oti Region shares boundaries with Bono, Savannah and Volta Regions as well as republic of Togo. It is also dominated by the River Oti on its western flank.
The River supports a thriving fishing production and is a popular recreational area. The regions has a total area of 13,233 Square Kilometers and its area of extra-ordinary scenic beauty such as the rolling hills and valleys, rocky outcrops overlooking the lake Volta and lagoon, rivers and waterfalls make for one of nature’s attractive gifts to Ghana.
There are several ethnic groups in Oti Region. Evidence of this is visible in how its capital city, Dambai is made up. The tribes that can be found in Dambai include the Nchumuru, Zabarama, Hausa, Kotokoli, Ewe, Konkonba, Basari, Ada and the Fulani. As a result of this, the languages spoken in Oti Region vary widely. This depends on which area is densely populated by which tribe.
The Region is made up of eight political administration districts assemblies.
KADJEBI: It was initially part of the Jasikan District until it was created in 1989 with its capital Kadjebi which took over the initial name of Akan District to present Kadjebi District. The district comprises eight (8) traditional areas, that are Kadjebi, Asato, Ahamansu, Dodo, Ampeyo, Pampawie, Dappa and Papase respectively and they speak twi as their local language.
FESTIVALS
AKWASIDAE KESIE:
This festival is celebrated by the Akans every year in the District. The festival is been counted and celebrated on Sunday, the last forty-two (42) days before the end of the year. On the eve of this festival the chiefs and people of every traditional areas meet at the chief’s palace to commence the celebration, where libation is poured by the chief linguist and those to special occasion are Frontonfrom, Kete, Adowa, Osite dance are performed till midnight to end the first part. This is in the remembrance of the ancestors who lost their lives in wars and the attire is mourning clothes only.
DAWURO KESE FESTIVAL:
This festival is for the people of Kedjebi as traditional festival which has a story of cultural heritage and environment. The people of Kadjebi were pushed by wars across the Volta River our 300 years ago and finally settled at mountain Karikera (pronounce as “Kera” east of present Kadjebi) and angry at the preservation of her glory through neglect and pollution (allegedly by adversaries) only stream running through the town caused an epidemic. The populace dwindled and the enemies took advantage of reducing the population to harass its people.
Then, Nana Akompi, the chief in consultation with an oracle at that time caused a big gong-gong “dawurokese” to be made.
The gong-gong was said to have mesmerising and demoralizing effect on the enemies. It was instructed that spiritual and physical cleaning should be carried out each year, the women of Kadjebi swept the town with a special leaf shouting in the process “Yere pan yade” meaning to away sickness as a form of Passover. The relevance and success of Dawurokese today is due to its capture of the past traditional values and modern requirement, environmental issues are threatening today, therefore, the forest and rivers must be preserved. The theme for Dawurokese festival appropriately selected is based on judicious use of the forest and streams. This festival is celebrated in very three (3) years by the people of Kadjebi in remembrance of the ancestors of the area.
MARRIAGE CEREMONY
In the Kadjebi District, all the eight (8) traditional areas, that is Kadjebi, Asato, Ahamansu, Dodo, Ampeyoo, Pampawie, Dapaa and Papase, they all practiced the Akan type of marriage ceremony. For example, when the two couple met and agreed for marriage, the man would inform the parents about the acceptance of the woman for marriage. A woman would be sent to the woman’ parents for the release of their daughter for marriage to their son. And this would continue for three (3) consecutive times. The woman’s parents would also call their daughter and deliver the message to her and when accepted, a day would be fixed for the ceremony. The chiefs and elders and relatives and other people would assemble at the head of the woman’s family house for the ceremony. Seven pots of palm wine, one native mat, red band and an amount in envelop would be provided for the rites.
One pot of palm wine would be given to the man’s friend to be shared among the youths who help the man in the marriage activities. The remaining six post would be poured in one big pot. The elder of the family would pour libation and an elderly woman would also pour hers. They would ask the ancestors and God’s guidance for a successful marriage. The rest of the drink would be shared among the gathering. The chiefs and elders would advice the couples on how to live peacefully in their marriage home. Both families would thank the chiefs and people present for their response to the success of the ceremony.
OUTDOORING OF NEW BORN BABIES
Outdooring of babies is held on the 8th day after the baby was born. The parents of the baby would invite the chief, elders and people concerned of the town to grace the occasion. The naming ceremony is done at the head of the family’s house at 5:30am, when libation would be poured for god’s protection and a name would be given to the new born baby. As custom demands a little drop of drink, water and salt would be dropped in the mouth of the baby. This signifies that the baby when grown would drink water, eat salt and drink any kind of drink of choice. Then donations would be made to the child either in cash or kind.