The Nungua Traditional Council recently carried out the “Jenten Nishwamo” ritual, a customary practice preceding this year’s Homowo celebrations.
Jenten Nishwamo involves offering the gods a traditional unleavened corn dish known as “kpokpoi,” prepared by the area’s traditional priests and priestesses. This act is performed by the traditional authorities to appease the deities of the region, ensuring they abstain from partaking in the kpokpoi prepared for the actual Homowo festival.
The ritual commenced in the morning with the preparation of the meal in a sacred space at Kpowulu No, representing the Gborbu Groove. Only a select few were permitted by Nuumo Borketey Laweh Tsuru XXXIII, Gborbu Wulomo-Shitse, to witness the preparation, with silence maintained by those involved, communicating solely through sign language.
The Gborbu Wulomo serves as the intermediary between the people and the ‘living god’ and their 99 deities, also holding the title of Overlord of the GaDangbe State in Nungua customs and traditions.
Following the preparation, the Oofu Wulomo, second in command to the Gborbu Wulomo, carried the dish while the Gorbu Wulomo-Shitse sprinkled it at the temples of the 99 gods of the GaDangbe State.
Nii Bortey Frankwa, Mankralo of Nungua Traditional Area, emphasized the event’s traditional and historical significance, stating it helps maintain balance since Nungua is considered the center of the world. He mentioned the ritual’s historical roots tracing back to their time in Israel, spanning over 820 years.
Nii Frankwa highlighted the significance of Naa Yoomo Ayemode, the newest priestess of the Gborbu shrine, whose recent unveiling added to the ceremony’s exceptional nature.
He mentioned that the ceremony also cleared the way for them to enjoy the new corn after honoring the gods.
Nii Frankwa announced that they would conduct seven additional traditional rituals before the commencement of the official Homowo festivities in July.
Homowo, or Kplejoo, is a traditional festival observed by the GaDangbes in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. The festival begins at the end of April and extends into May, coinciding with the planting of crops before the onset of the rainy season.
The GaDangbe people commemorate Homowo in memory of the famine experienced during precolonial Ghana.
