ODWIRA FESTIVAL

PRESENTED BY: BOATENG KAREN ABENA

(04/2021/9819D)
 TABLE OF CONTENT

• What is Odwira festival

• Why is Odwira festival celebrated
• What does Odwira mean in Akan
• When is Odwira festival celebrated
• How did Odwira come about
• What is the brief history about the Odwira festival
• What are the activities done during Odwira festival
• What religion is Odwira festival celebrated?
 WHAT IS ODWIRA FESTIVAL

• The Odwira Festival is celebrated by the people of Akropong-Akuapim, Aburi,

Larteh and Mamfi in the Eastern Region. This festival is celebrated in most
Akwapim towns during the months of September and October.
 WHY IS ODWIRA FESTIVAL CELEBRATED

• It's significance is to celebrate their victory over the invincible Ashanti

army during the historic battle of Katamansu near Dodowa in 1826 and
also to cleanse themselves and ask for protection from their gods.
 WHAT DOES ODWIRA MEAN IN AKAN

• “Odwira” is an Akan word which means purification. It is therefore

assumed that the same “Odwira was adopted principally because it is
during this festival that the Okuapehene and all occupiers of stools in the
area “purify” their tools.
 WHEN IS ODWIRA FESTIVAL CELEBRATED

• The Odwira Festival is celebrated by the people of Akropong-Akuapim,

Aburi, Larteh and Mamfi in the Eastern Region. This festival is celebrated
in most Akwapim towns during the months of September and October.
 HOW DID ODWIRA COME ABOUT

• The Festival was initiated by the 19th Okuapimhene of Akropong, Nana

Addo Dankwa 1 who ruled from 1811 to 1835. First celebrated in October
1826, its significance is linked to the victory of thepeople of Okuapemman
over the then-powerful Ashanti army during the historic battle of
Katamansu near Dodowa in 1826.
 WHAT IS The BRIEF HISTORY ABOUT THE
ODWIRA FESTIVAL

• It was first celebrated in October 1826. This was during the reign of the
19th Okuapimhene of Akropong, Nana Addo Dankwa (I) from 1811 to
1835. It is a time of spiritual purification where the people are renewed and
receive protection. It is also celebrated by the people of Jamestown in
Accra.
 WHAT ARE THE ACTIVITIES DONE DURING
ODWIRA FESTIVAL

• A crowning festival grand durbar of chiefs, usually in the afternoon, in a

procession through the principal streets to the durbar grounds,
accompanied by drumming, dancing, firing of musketry and a lot of merry-
making.
WHAT RELIGION IS ODWIRA FESTIVAL CELEBRATED?

• What religion is Odwira festival celebrated?

• It follows this by arguing that Odwira is a covenant renewing festival that
places all Akuapemfo (Akuapem people) under a covenant with the Odosu
(a regalia).