Festival is an event, usually staged by a local community, which centers on some unique aspect of that community. Among many religions, a feast or festival is a set of celebrations in honor of God or gods. A feast and a festival are historically interchangeable. However, the term "feast" has also entered common secular parlance as a synonym for any large or elaborate meal. When used as in the meaning of a festival, most often refers to a religious festival rather than a film or art festival.
In the Christian liturgical calendar there are two principal feasts, properly known as the Feast of the Nativity of our Lord Christmas and the Feast of the Resurrection Easter. In the Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Anglican liturgical calendars there are a great number of lesser feasts throughout the year commemorate saints, sacred events, doctrines, etc.
In Ghana, there so many festivals across the length and breadth of the country. These festivals are celebrated to thank the supreme being or gods for bumper harvest; safe migration; first harvest and victory in battle. Names given to Ghanaian festivals depend on the ethnic group, language and the reason for the celebration. Akwasidae, Kundum, Damba, Hogbetsotso, Akwantukese, Akwantutenten, Bayeredi, Homowo, Frikoso and Gbi-dukoza are a few of the festivals in Ghana.
In recent times, OFORI-ASIEDU FOUNDATION, TAKE COOL TWO drinking water and Stelo jewelery have become a positive trio, making things happen for festivals with vision. Within the Biakoye constituency, no organization is as vibrant in event promotion, management and sponsorship as the trio. They make events happen. In October 2011, they made Ntsumuru yam festival extraordinary and Worawora Akwantutenten super; mega and are hoping to join wurupong in November.
Ghanaian culture is elegant in all aspect and similar in a lot of ways. Major differences in festivals are mostly names, patronage and themes. The more the patronage, the more colourful it looks. catchy themes attract patrons but must go with marketing; this is where OFORI-ASIEDU FOUNDATION, TAKE COOL 2 and STELO come in as great partners.
Ask me and my view is that all festivals in Ghana are same. Features are on pouring of libation, re-enacting the events of the past and sourcing for funds for development. Merry making is a key characteristic of festivals. From traditional dances to foreign music and dance. It is time for families to re-unite and settle dispute.Businesses also do well during this period especially food and alcoholic beverage dealers.
Sadly, some persons especially the youth use this period to engage in immoral acts. In 2003, it was reported that there was condoms shortage in a town during a festival. It was also reported at one festival review that, organizers have canceled a blood donation event because a similar exercise the previous year showed over 45% tested positive for HIV. It was rumoured that less than 10% tested HIV positive two years earlier. The suspicion further was that a lot of them engage in unprotected sex during these festivals.
Thing is whether the festival is for bumper harvest, battle victory or whatever, the benefits and problems are similar. The differences are even more similar.
Long Live Ghana, Long Live OFORI-ASIEDU FOUNDATION, Long Live Take Cool 2 Drinking Water.
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