HOMOWO-AFI 2019
African Cultural Educational Festival
Historical Monteocha Community
A 14 th Century Timbuktu Scholar wrote:
“Whoever does not inform his children of his grandparents has destroyed his/her child.
Marred his descendants, and injured his offspring the day she/he dies.
Whoever does not make use of his ancestry, has muddled his reason,
Whoever is unconcerned with his/her lineage, has lost his mind.
Whoever neglects his origin, his stupidity has become critical,
Whoever is unaware of his ancestry, his incompetence has become immense,
Whoever is ignorant of his roots, his intellect has vanished,
Whoever does not know his place of origin, his honor has collapsed.”
Those of us who know even a little about the African American story here in the United States, know that the
Euro-Americans who enslaved us and brought us to the “New World,” did everything in their power to sever
us from our history, our culture, our language and our religions. The enslavers went to great lengths to sever
us from our roots. People who spoke the same languages were separated. Children were ripped from their
parents’ arms and sold off alone. Often Africans who spoke their native language was punished for doing so.
But some of us never forgot our roots and longed to reclaim our history, our culture, our music, our
languages and our religions. After Emancipation, Africans reclaimed their heritage along with building a new
identity forged her in our new home. After nearly a century, we reclaimed our heritage by calling ourselves
African Americans, signifying the union of our past and our present.
Celebrating HOMOWO is a part of that Remembering and Celebrating of our history, our culture, our roots,
our traditions and some of our religious/spiritual practices.
The word HOMOWO is a GaDangme word meaning “to jeer or hoot at hunger.” The tradition, which comes
from the Ga People in the greater Accra Region of Ghana, is the result of a drought and a famine. When the
rains returned to normal and the crops returned, the Ga People celebrated by creating the Homowo Festival.
The word literally means a disapproval of eating poor and innutritious food/junk food. But, rather to grow
what we eat and to eat what we grow. Homowo is a family re-union and doors are open to friends. It is the
re-affirmation of the relationship with the First Grand Ancestor (Almighty God), Devine Beings
(Angels/Deities) and our Ancestors. Most importantly, HOMOWO reminds all people of our reliance on the
earth, plants and animals for our sustenance and encourages all to cherish the earth and not to pollute her. It
also marks the end of the old and the beginning of the new. All are urged to forgive and forget past quarrels
and divisions. Misunderstandings are settled with a hand-shake after a special prayer for longevity called,
“Ngoowa.”
The Festival is celebrated in all the towns of the Ga State in Ghana. Traditional foods are served, and
celebrations include marching, drumming, chanting, face painting, and the singing of traditional songs and
dancing of traditional dances are performed. While the festival originated with the Ga People, it has spread to
all of the ethnic communities in Ghana.
An important part of Homowo Festival is to engage in the Purification Bath called “HEDZUU”. Each
participant is encouraged to take the yearly Purification Bath by self - immersion. This immersion is to be
coupled with a strong Libatory Prayer for longevity and to ward off all kinds of draw backs or hindrances in
any endeavor during the upcoming year. When we perform HEDZUU, we are praying for a new beginning
with a renewed assurance for success. Each participant will be given specific directions on how to perform
HEDZUU (the Purification Bath.)
Here in Gainesville, African descended people have celebrated Homowo in Monteocha Community for 13
years and before that, one year at Lincoln Middle School and one year at MLK Center. Initially, it started as
a fellowship with family and friends and African dishes on the front porch of the family. Then,
fellowshipped with more Africans and more African dishes (prepared by those from Ghana) at UF’s
Commons Room.