Homowo - Ghanaian

Hello! I am the Homowo festival. I am a special time for the Ga people, who live in a country called Ghana. My name means something very happy. It means “hooting at hunger.” This is because, a long, long time ago, the people were very hungry. There was not enough food to eat. Then, wonderful rains came and watered the earth. Soon, tall stalks of corn grew, and there was plenty of food for everyone. My name helps everyone remember that happy time.

When people celebrate me, they cook a special meal. The most important food is called kpokpoi. It is a soft, yummy food made from corn. It is served with a tasty red soup made from palm nuts. Before anyone eats, the Ga people do something to show they are thankful. They sprinkle a little bit of the kpokpoi on the ground. This is a way for them to remember their ancestors, who were the family members that lived long ago. It is their way of saying thank you for the good food.

I am a festival full of joy and celebration. It is a time for everyone to be happy together. People wear their most beautiful clothes in bright, wonderful colors. The streets are not quiet! They are filled with the sound of drumming and happy singing. You can hear the boom, boom, boom of the drums all day. People dance to the music. Families and friends visit each other’s homes to share the delicious kpokpoi and soup. Celebrating me is a happy way to remember the end of hunger.