Godigbeza

What Godigbeza remembers

Like other Ewe festivals, Godigbeza keeps alive the story of the migration from Notsie and the escape from King Agorkoli’s cruel rule.¹ Its name joins godigbe, liberation, with za, festival.²

According to the National Commission on Culture, the festival was established on 1 April 1967 by Togbui Adzonugaga Amemaka Fiti IV. It began by remembering the landing of the forefathers at the beach and was first observed inside family homes and clan houses before becoming a public festival.²

What happens

The festival builds over several days to a grand durbar of the chiefs and people of Aflao.¹³ In 2022, when it returned after a pause for COVID-19, the programme included an inter-school tournament, a roots tour retracing the route through Notsie, a churches’ Bible quiz, a health walk, a football match between chiefs and security services and the Miss Godigbe pageant, before the durbar at Victoria Park on Saturday 26 November.³

Good to know if you go

• Where: Aflao is the border town at the eastern end of Ghana’s coast, opposite Lomé.
• Check the dates: the traditional council sets the days each year, often only weeks ahead. 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.
• Related: the Anlo remember the same escape at Hogbetsotso in November.