Festivals · October · Western North

Eluo

The Sefwi yam festival

Eluo, also written Alluolue or Elluo, is the yam festival of the chiefs and people of the Sefwi Wiawso Traditional Area in the Western North Region. It runs for about a week and ends with a grand durbar of chiefs at Sefwi Wiawso, the regional capital. The Wiawso Traditional Council sets the dates each year; in 2023 it was held from October into mid-November.

When
Set each year by the traditional council; October to 16 November in 2023
Where
Sefwi Wiawso, Western North Region
Kept by
The chiefs and people of the Sefwi Wiawso Traditional Area, led by the Omanhene
Also called
Alluolue, Elluo
Region
Western North

What happens

Eluo is a yam festival, kept by the chiefs and people of Sefwi Wiawso and, by some accounts, Sefwi Bekwai.4 The traditional council describes it as a time for unity and for taking stock of the year.1

The 2023 festival ran for a week of events: a drumming and dancing competition, a candlelight procession, a quiz between districts, a football gala, a health walk with screening, Mr and Miss Eluo, and a cooking competition.1 It ended with a grand durbar in Sefwi Wiawso, hosted by the Omanhene of Sefwi Wiawso, with paramount chiefs from other traditional areas as guests.2

In 2023 the council banned funerals in the traditional area from 19 October, and lifted the ban when the festival ended on 16 November.3

Other Sefwi towns keep the festival too. At Sefwi Akontombra it is a thanksgiving to the ancestors for seeing the chiefs and people through the year without serious calamity.5

When is Eluo?

There is no fixed date. Older accounts put Eluo in July, others in November or December.4 In 2023 the council launched the festival in August for October, and it closed on 16 November.13 Look out for the council’s launch, usually a couple of months ahead.

Good to know if you go

  • Where: Sefwi Wiawso is the capital of the Western North Region. See the Western North page for places nearby.
  • Funerals: in 2023 they were banned during the festival. If you are in the area for one, check with the family first.
  • Check the dates: the traditional council announces them each year. Local radio and the national press carry the launch.
  • Respect the rites: some rituals are sacred and not for cameras. Ask before photographing chiefs, priests or anyone taking part, and follow what the ushers ask.

Questions people ask

What is the Eluo festival?

The yam festival of the chiefs and people of the Sefwi Wiawso Traditional Area in the Western North Region, ending with a grand durbar of chiefs.

When is Eluo?

The traditional council sets the dates each year. In 2023 it ran from October to 16 November.

Sources

  1. Alex Baah Boadi, “Wiawso Traditional Council launches 2023 Eluo Festival”, Ghana News Agency, 6 August 2023.
  2. Daniel Akwasi Nuako, “Akufo-Addo assures chiefs, residents of Western North of more development”, Ghana News Agency, 30 October 2023.
  3. Alex Baah Boadi, “Sefwi-Wiawso traditional council lifts ban on funerals”, Ghana News Agency, 17 November 2023.
  4. “Alluolue Festival”, Wikipedia.
  5. “Sefwi-Akontombra Chief appeals for the reappointment of Amoah Yawson as DCE”, Ghana News Agency, 9 April 2021.

Last checked 16 October 2026. Spotted something wrong or know this year’s dates? Tell us.

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