Homowo: Youth urged to preserve cultural significance of Ga-Dangme beads

A Ga-Dangme cultural ambassador has called on the younger generation to preserve the cultural significance of traditional beads, describing them as enduring symbols of identity, spirituality and heritage among the Ga-Dangme people. 

The appeal comes as Ga-Dangme communities across the Greater Accra Region celebrate the annual Homowo and Asafotufiami festivals, during which traditional beads remain one of the most distinctive cultural adornments. 

Naa Juyoo Oshedu Wobolor Jueteer Tsofayelor, the Cultural Ambassador, told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that among the Ga-Dangme, beads were not merely fashion accessories but represented tradition, status, responsibility and belonging. 

Naa Tsofayelor explained that beads were worn around the neck, wrists, arms, waist, knees and ankles for different cultural, traditional and ceremonial purposes. 

According to her, beads feature prominently throughout the life cycle of the Ga-Dangme people, from birth and initiation into adulthood to the installation of chiefs and queen mothers, the ordination of traditional priests and priestesses, widowhood rites and funeral ceremonies, among others. 

Naa Tsofayelor said different types of beads, including Afili, Fufua, Lai Tswɛntswɛ, Adiagba, Kɔli, Atsɛŋ Tɛ, Shikpɔŋ, Ashinɔɔ and Aworɔke, were worn by different categories of people depending on their roles, status and the occasion. 

She noted that the colours of the beads also carried symbolic meanings rooted in Ga-Dangme beliefs and traditions. 

According to her, white symbolised purity, spirituality and victory; red represented loyalty, warfare and the remembrance of fallen heroes; blue signified truth, mercy and water bodies; yellow represented wealth, the sun and fire; green denoted peace and vegetation, while brown symbolised nature, the earth and life. 

She said the Ga-Dangme belief that God governs the world through the elements of wind, water, fire and earth was reflected in the colours traditionally worn by chiefs, queen mothers and other traditional office holders. 

Naa Tsofayelor added that traditional beads were crafted from a variety of materials, including ivory from sperm whale teeth, semi-precious stones, glass, shells, fibre, crystals and gemstones, demonstrating the richness of Ga-Dangme craftsmanship. 

She urged young people to appreciate and preserve the cultural values associated with traditional beads to ensure that future generations continue to understand their historical and cultural significance. 

“Our beads tell our story. They are our tradition, our custom, our culture and our identity,” she said. 

Source: GNA