The Effutu of Winneba tell it this way: their god Penkye Otu once required a human sacrifice from the royal family every year, and after generations of it the elders went and pleaded for a substitute. Permission was given to hunt a wild cat instead. Too many hunters died. They pleaded again and were given the bushbuck.
First weekend of May
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Listening to Aboakyer: the deer hunt at Winneba
Aboakyer: the deer hunt at Winneba
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Aboakyer: the deer hunt at Winneba
The Effutu of Winneba tell it this way: their god Penkye Otu once required a human sacrifice from the royal family every year, and after generations of it the elders went and pleaded for a substitute. Permission was given to hunt a wild cat instead. Too many hunters died. They pleaded again and were given the bushbuck.
So every May, two asafo companies — the traditional warrior groups, in their own colours, with their own drums and their own centuries of rivalry — go out into the bush and hunt a live bushbuck with their bare hands. No weapons. The first company to bring one back alive to the chief wins the year.
The animal is presented, the chief steps over it, and it is offered at the shrine.
The story began with a demand for sacrifice. Today the hunt ends with a community gathering that honours the promise that replaced it.
If you visit Ghana. At Winneba, the Effutu Aboakyer festival takes place on the first weekend of May.
The Effutu of Winneba tell it this way: their god Penkye Otu once required a human sacrifice from the royal family every year, and after generations of it the elders went and pleaded for a substitute. Permission was given to hunt a wild cat instead. Too many hunters died. They pleaded again and were given the bushbuck.
So every May, two asafo companies — the traditional warrior groups, in their own colours, with their own drums and their own centuries of rivalry — go out into the bush and hunt a live bushbuck with their bare hands. No weapons. The first company to bring one back alive to the chief wins the year.
The animal is presented, the chief steps over it, and it is offered at the shrine.
The story began with a demand for sacrifice. Today the hunt ends with a community gathering that honours the promise that replaced it.