Drumming banned in Gomoa in preparation of Ahobaa festival

The people of Gomoa, one of the Borbor Mfantse ethnic groups which migrated from Techiman, have banned drumming, wailing and loud noise making from April 20 to May 6.

The ban also covers performing of funerals, church conventions and public gatherings and is part of the preparations towards the celebration of Ahobaa Ketsewa festival on May 11 to commemorate the sacrifice of the life of Ahor, a citizen of Gomoa Maim, to save the people of Borbor Mfantse from a plague that devastated the population.

Obrifo Ahunako Ahor Ankobea II, Omanhen of Gomoa Akyempim who announced the ban at a meeting with the Standing Committee of the Council, narrated how the Borbor Mfantses made up of the people of Gomoa, Ajumako, Ekumfi, Abura, Enyan, Nkusukum, Etsii and Abeadze were attacked by a plague on their migration from Techiman in the Brong-Ahafo Region.

He said, after consulting the oracle, a fetish priest said the plague could only be averted when someone could offer himself to be sacrificed and his blood used to perform a ritual.

The Omanhen said three meetings were held but nobody was prepared to offer himself to be sacrificed until Ahor, a young man of about 27 years, offered himself to be used for the ritual.

He said the plague stopped immediately the blood of Ahor was used to perform the ritual.

Obrifo Ahunako Ahor Ankobea said, in appreciation of what Ahor had done to save the people of Borbor Mfantses, they decided to institute two festivals, Ahobaa Ketsewa in May to commemorate his death and Ahobaa Kese in August, to mark his burial and funeral.

He appealed to the citizens of Gomoa East and Gomoa West to observe strictly the ban, saying anyone who violated the ban would be sanctioned severely.**