Day Two of the Akuapem Odwira Festival brought together faith, tradition, and community as the Akuapem Krubi royal family performed the sacred New Yam rites that mark renewal and connection with the ancestors.
At dawn, men from the royal lineage made their way to the sacred cemetery to seek blessings from their forebears, a solemn ritual believed to ensure peace, unity, and prosperity for the people throughout the festival.
Their return to Akropong was both powerful and emotional. Led by the Abrafo, or Executioners, the procession moved through the town to the rhythm of chants and the crack of gunfire. Residents lined the streets, singing and clapping as the messengers announced that the ancestors had granted their blessings.
With that declaration, the ban on certain activities leading up to the festival was lifted. Yams, which had been forbidden, could now be freely eaten again. Known as the Splitting of the New Yam, this ceremony signals abundance and togetherness, opening the way for days of feasting and celebration.
After the procession, the Akuapem Krubi family delivered their message to the chief, confirming that one of the most sacred phases of Odwira had been completed. Speaking to Metro TV and Original TV, representatives of the family explained that the New Yam Outdooring is not only a celebration of harvest but also a way to preserve identity, unity, and heritage for future generations.
The day ended in jubilation, with the community renewed in spirit and ready to embrace the rest of the Odwira festivities.
Ernest Kepomey | Metro Digital
