TEAM BISHOP OWUSU

EWELAND

Good evening distinguished ladies and gentlemen, we present to you a brief overview of the history and culture of the people of Eweland.

LOCATION

The Ewe people occupy the southeastern part of Ghana and the southern part of neighboring Togo and Benin. On the west, the Volta separates the Ewes from GaDangbe, Ga and Akan people and they can be found in the Volta Region of Ghana.

HISTORY AND ORIGIN

The Ewe people according to their tradition is said to have migrated westward from the east, more precisely Ketu a Yoruba town in Modern day Benin settling at TADO in present day Togo from where they later dispersed to other location such as HOHOE, PEKI, KPANDO, AWUDOME, AVE, HO etc. all in present day Volta Region of Ghana. In May1956, the Ewe people voted to partition Eweland between Gold Coast (now Ghana) and Togo.

CULTURE
Unlike the Akan tradition where matrilineal rule prevails, the Ewes are essentially patrilineal. The founder of the community is the established chief and is succeeded by a paternal relative.

The pouring of libation is an important ritual within the Ewe society. Libation are predominantly poured by chiefs but can sometimes be done by the linguist. Libations are poured three times in honor of ancestors, life, and the libation's officer himself.

The Ewe have names with significant meaning which either portray the spirituality of the parents or the circumstances in which the child was born. Examples include: Dzigbodi=Patience Edem=He saved me Hogbetsotso is an annual festival held by the Anlos. It is held in the first week November every year in Anloga. The festival is to celebrate their escape from a wicked ruler.

THE PEOPLE

Because the region was the 9TH region to created in Ghana, the people from the Volta Region (including Ewes) are popularly refred to as NUMBER 9. However, the Ewes have subdivisions which includes, Anglo (Anlo), Bey (Be), and the Peki, Ho, Kpando, Tori and Ave.

The staple of the Ewes includes Maize and Cassava with Akple being one of their major meals. Akpeteshie is one of the most popular gins in Ghana and its is brewed by the Ewes.

LANGUAGE

The Ewe people speak mostly Ewe language with some few variations and are related to the speakers of other languages such as FON, Gen, Phla etc.

RELIGION

Many Ewes are Christian with the EP Church, Global Evangelical Church and The Apostles Revelation Society all emanating from the Eweland. The Ewes also practiced traditional religion which they worship a supreme being called Mawu or Lisa, through lesser Gods.

ECONOMY

Most Ewes are farmers who keep livestock, some of the indigenes are also fishermen and craftsmen who make beads, Kente, calving, trading etc.

DRUMMING AND DANCING

The Ewes have a complex collection of dances, which vary between geographical regions and other factors. Examples include; Adevu, Agadza, Aghu etc. We now present to you a rendition of the Boborbo dance which is said to have been created by Mr. Francis K. Nuadro and has its roots in the highlife popular music. The dance is generally performed at funerals and other social occasions .

THANK YOU!