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Basic 2 · History · The People of Ghana

The Ewe and Ga-Adangbe People

In this topic you will learn about the Ewe and the Ga-Adangbe people and their culture.

By the end of these notes you should be able to:

  • Name where the Ewe and Ga-Adangbe live
  • Name their foods and festivals
  • Compare their cultures

What you already know

  • The Akan people

Copy everything that has a blue line on its left into your notebook. The other parts are for reading.

Strand
My Country Ghana
Sub-strand
The People of Ghana
Indicator
B2.2.1.1.1 – Identify the ethnic groups in each region of Ghana

Introduction

The Ga celebrate Homowo with kpokpoi. The Anlo Ewe celebrate Hogbetsotso. Each group has rich traditions.

1. The Ewe

Ewe culture
Part of cultureExamples
where they liveVolta and Oti Regions
languageEwe
foodakple with okro soup
festivalHogbetsotso (Anlo)
craftEwe kente weaving

2. The Ga-Adangbe

Ga-Adangbe culture
Part of cultureExamples
where they liveGreater Accra and Eastern Regions
languageGa, Dangme
foodkpokpoi (kpekple), kenkey
festivalsHomowo (Ga), Asafotufiam (Ada), Ngmayem (Krobo)
craftKrobo beads
Homowo celebration with kpokpoi and Anlo chiefs at Hogbetsotso
Figure 1: Ga-Adangbe and Ewe festivals Draw one festival scene.Photos: Agbleyjill, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons; JY midey, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Did you know?: "Homowo" means "hooting at hunger". It remembers a time when the Ga overcame famine.

New words

Ewe
An ethnic group mainly in the Volta Region.
Ga-Adangbe
An ethnic group mainly in Greater Accra and Eastern Regions.
kpokpoi
A festive maize meal of the Ga.
beads
Small decorated balls threaded into jewellery.

Summary

  • The Ewe live mainly in the Volta and Oti Regions.
  • The Ga-Adangbe live mainly in Greater Accra and Eastern Regions.
  • Homowo and Hogbetsotso are famous festivals.

Class activity: Festival Match

  1. Read the festival cards.
  2. Match each festival to its ethnic group.
  3. Find where the group lives on the map.

You need: Ghana map, Printed photographs of Ghanaian ethnic groups, Kente, Smock fabric samples

Exercises

Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.

  1. 1. Which festival is celebrated by the Ga?

    • A. Homowo
    • B. Hogbetsotso
    • C. Damba
    • D. Odwira
    Show answer
    Answer: HomowoHomowo is a Ga festival.

  2. 2. The Ewe live mainly in which region?

    • A. Volta
    • B. Upper West
    • C. Ashanti
    • D. Western
    Show answer
    Answer: VoltaMost Ewe live in the Volta Region.

  3. 3. Krobo people are known for beads.

    • A. True
    • B. False
    Show answer
    Answer: TrueKrobo beads are famous.

  4. 4. Homowo means "dancing in the rain".

    • A. True
    • B. False
    Show answer
    Answer: FalseIt means "hooting at hunger".

  5. 5. A festive maize meal of the Ga is ______.

    Show answer
    Answer: kpokpoiIt is eaten at Homowo.

  6. 6. Name one Ewe food and one Ga food.

    Show answer
    Answer: E.g. akple; kenkey or kpokpoi.Each group has its foods.

Homework

  1. Ask an adult about a festival in your area and its meaning.