Effutu to celebrate peaceful Aboakyer

Winneba (C/R) April 27, GNA-The necessary arrangements have been put in place for a peaceful Aboakyer in Winneba this year, Neenyi Ghartey VII Omanhen of Effutu Traditional Area said after releasing a programme for the festival to the media on Saturday.

According to the programme the festival would start on Monday, April 28 2008 with a clean-up exercise in the town. There would be a regatta and tug-of-war on Tuesday April 29 and a football gala and street jams on Wednesday April 30.

On May 1, 2008, there would be football finals and jams. There would be parading of Asafo deities on May 2 in the afternoon.

According to tradition this is done to clear the way for a successful and peaceful hunting for the animal the following day. On May 3, which is Aboakyer day and the climax of the festival, the two Asafo companies, Dentsifo No.2 and Tuafo No 1 would go to the bush to catch a live deer early in the morning.

The first animal to be brought to the durbar ground is stepped on three times by the Omanhene to signify its acceptance for tradition and customs.

According to the programme, there would be procession of chiefs and Asafo companies through the principal streets of the town in the afternoon.

A state dance would be held in the night of the day to crown Miss Aboakyer, while on Sunday, May 4 the animal is slaughtered for traditional and customary rites.