The High Cost of Noise: What happens when your cock crows during Asafotufiami in Ada
Published:
3 months ago
Source:
GhanaWeb
Many festivals celebrated in Ghana have similar rules governing them, with the common one being a ban on noise making. While noise restrictions are common in most festivals, the Asafotufiami festival uniquely includes specific bans on roaming and noisemaking by animals, setting it apart from others. According to a Stool Prince of the Kabiawe Yumu clan in Ada, Ayiku Akuaku, before the festival, some traditional rites are performed during which the town is put on lockdown, and throughout this period, cocks are not allowed to crow, and goats not allowed to bleat. Speaking exclusively on GhanaWeb TV's People & Places, he explained that this is done to cleanse the town of any spiritual filth and to drive away any evil or bad spirit brought into the area during the festival celebration.
"In Ada, the specific taboo before the festival is that, the four chief priests and the paramount chief will join hands, making them five, to perform some traditional rites at dawn and it's a taboo to join them. After the festival, the main taboo is to lock the town, a process locally known as 'Ayakyimanya'. 2 to 3 weeks can be used to lock the town during that process, to consult the Gods.
"…If the paramount chief grants order for the town to be locked after being consulted by the chief priests, the main taboo begins.