Festivals · February · Oti

Fussikur

Bowiri remembers its journey

Fussikur is the festival of the Bowiri people of the Biakoye District in the Oti Region. It remembers their migration from their ancestral home at Moree, in today’s Central Region, to Bowiri Amanforo. It runs for a week between February and March, and ends with a grand durbar of chiefs and people.

When
Between February and March; lasts a week
Where
Bowiri Amanforo, Biakoye District, Oti Region
Kept by
The chiefs and people of Bowiri
Also spelled
Fusikor
Region
Oti

The week

  1. First Friday

    Confinement

    Chiefs, queen mothers and priests go into confinement.1

  2. Tuesday

    Wailing

    A day of wailing for the dead.1

  3. Wednesday

    Sharing

    Traditional goods are shared out.1

  4. Thursday

    The old settlement

    A trip to the old settlement and the shrines on Mount Fortorkpa.1

  5. Second Friday

    The stools

    The black stools are cleansed and purified.1

  6. Saturday

    Grand durbar

    Each town and clan carries its divisional chief through the main streets in a palanquin, led by Asafo companies with drums, songs, dancing and musketry; the Omanhene’s palanquin comes last. The senior priest pours libation and opens the durbar, the chiefs and queen mothers pay homage to the Omanhene, and he gives his address to the state. Asafo companies dance to show the bravery of the Bowiri.1

Good to know if you go

  • Where: Bowiri is in the Biakoye District. See the Oti page for places nearby.
  • Also in Bowiri: Hyirebo, the festival of peace, in April.
  • Check the dates: the traditional council sets them each year. Local radio and the national press carry the announcement.
  • 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 Fussikur festival?

The week-long festival of the Bowiri people of the Oti Region, remembering their migration from Moree to Bowiri Amanforo.

When is Fussikur?

Between February and March each year.

Sources

  1. “Oti Region: the tradition and cultural heritage of Oti Region”, National Commission on Culture.

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

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