The Akwasidae Festival is celebrated by the Ashanti people and Ashanti chiefs in Ghana. The festival is celebrated on a Sunday, once in every six weeks.
The traditions of the Akwasidae Festival are connected with the Akan annual calendar. The calendar is divided into 9 parts. Each part lasts approximately six weeks (between 40–42 days in a period). The celebration of this period is called the Adae Festival.
The Adae Festival has two celebration days:
- the Akwasidae Festival which is celebrated on the final Sunday of the period, and
- the Awukudae Festival that is celebrated on a Wednesday within the period.
The Friday preceding 10 days to the Akwasidae is called the Fofie which means a ritual Friday.
The Akwasidae festival takes place in the royal palace and gathers hundreds of people, all dressed traditionally. The ceremony opens in the throne room, where only the initiates are allowed.
Own or work here?