Festivals · October · Eastern

Ngmayem

The Krobo millet festival and new year

Ngmayem, “the eating of millet”, is the harvest festival of the Manya Krobo people at Odumase-Krobo in the Eastern Region and marks the start of the Krobo new year. It is held at the end of October: the 133rd edition runs from Sunday 25 October to Monday 2 November 2026, with a pilgrimage to Krobo Mountain and a grand durbar.

25 Oct – 2 Nov 2026This year’s Ngmayem is about to start. The grand durbar is the big day.

The chief of Odumase-Krobo seated on a palanquin under a red umbrella at Ngmayem
The chief of Odumase-Krobo on his palanquinFquasie · CC BY-SA 4.0
When
The last week of October; 25 October to 2 November in 2026
Where
Odumase-Krobo, Eastern Region
Kept by
The Manya Krobo, led by the Konor
Since
1893 as Hieyemi; renamed Ngmayem in 1944
Region
Eastern

What Ngmayem means

Ngmayem means “the eating of millet”, from the Dangme ngma, millet, and yemi, to eat. It celebrates the harvest and the Krobo farming tradition and marks the start of the Krobo new year.12

It was first instituted in 1893 as Hieyemi by the Konor Sir Emmanuel Mate-Kole; his successor renamed it Ngmayem in 1944.1

What happens in 2026

  1. From 25 October

    Opening events

    Yokama, a celebration of ideal womanhood, and a mock durbar by basic school pupils.1

  2. The week

    To the mausoleum and the mountain

    Akleme, a procession to the royal mausoleum, and Klowem Yami, a pilgrimage up Krobo Mountain, the old Krobo homeland, with hiking and music.1

  3. Climax

    The grand durbar

    A grand durbar of chiefs, queen mothers, guests and citizens, alongside the Miss Ngmayem pageant, closing with a thanksgiving service on 2 November.1

Good to know if you go

  • Where: Odumase-Krobo is in the Eastern Region near Somanya, about two hours north-east of Accra.
  • Krobo Mountain: the pilgrimage involves a hike. Wear good shoes and carry water.
  • 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.
  • Krobo beads: the area is famous for its glass beads. The Thursday bead market in Agomanya is nearby.

Questions people ask

When is Ngmayem 2026?

From Sunday 25 October to Monday 2 November 2026, the 133rd edition.

What does Ngmayem mean?

The eating of millet, in Dangme. It celebrates the harvest and marks the Krobo new year.

Where is Ngmayem celebrated?

At Odumase-Krobo, seat of the Manya Krobo, in Ghana’s Eastern Region.

Sources

  1. “Manya Krobo Ngmayem festival turns 133”, MyJoyOnline, 31 August 2026.
  2. “Ngmayem”, Wikipedia.

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

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