The Ga-Adangbe People Tribe And Culture

The Ga-Adangbe are one ethnic group that lives primarily in the Greater Accra of Ghana. Occupying the coastal area of Ghana from Kpone to Ada, on the Volta River, and inland along the Volta; they include the Ada, Kpone, Krobo, Ningo, Osuduku, Prampram, and Shai, all speaking variants of Ga-Adangme of the Kwa branch of the Niger-Congo family of languages.

Under their great leader King Ayi Kushi (Cush) (1483-1519) the Ga-Adangbe were led from the east in several states before reaching their destination in Accra.

Oral traditions state the Ga came from the region of Lake Chad and reached their destination in the 16th century.

In the 17th century, they traveled down the River Niger and crossed the Volta to reach present-day Ghana.

the Ga-Dangbe speak the Kwa languages Ga and Dangme and are a patrilineal people.

Dangme is exclusively closer to the original Ga–Dangme languages than the Ga language.

The Ga people were organized into six independent towns Accra, Ga, Mashie, Osu, La, Teshie, Nungua, and Tema.

Each town had a stool, which served as the central object of Ga ritual and war magic

Occupation Of Ga-Adangbe

The Ga people were originally farmers, but fishing and trading in imported goods are their principal occupations.

Their occupation is based on the Huza system.

A huge tract of land is acquired by a group of people and represented by a well-known member of the group.

The land is subdivided among them according to the amount each has paid, and after each person has control over his own part.

The group was usually members of an extended family.

The father of the Huza, “Huzatse” negotiates with the sellers and later acts as the Huza leader and representative.

Arts And Culture

The Ga people celebrate the Homowo festival, which literally means “hooting at hunger”.

This festival is celebrated to remember the great famine that hit the Ga people.

It is mainly a food festival that celebrates the passing of that terrible period in the history of the Ga people.

It takes place in August every year and is celebrated by all the Ga clans.

The Ga-Dangme are organized into clans based on patrilineal descent, the clans are subdivided into localized patrilineages, the basic units of the Ga-Dangme historical, political, and cultural tribal group.

The Dangbe people from Ada celebrate the “Asafotu festival”, also called “Asafotufiam”, an annual warrior’s festival celebrated by Ada people from the last Thursday of July to the first weekend of August.

It commemorates the victories of the warriors in battle and is a memorial for those who fell on the battlefield.

During this festival, the warriors dress in traditional battle dress and stage a mock battle.

The Dangbe people from Odumase – Krobo also Celebrate the “Ngmayem” festival,

An Annual Harvest festival to Celebrate the bounty harvest of their farmers

Music And Sports

The Ga-Adangbe music includes drumming and dancing. One of their traditional music and dance styles is “kpalongo”.

The Kpalongo dance, often performed low to the ground, with bent knees and back, frequently features sexually suggestive motions. The music of the Ga-Adangbe people also includes “Klama”, which involves a complex combination of rapid, sprightly, and dexterous foot wooks.

Besides the footwork, gestural movements are executed with the hands, arms, and head.

“Kpatsa” and the Dipo dance all of the Krobo people.

The Ga-Adangbe are popularly known for their long history and successes in the sport of boxing.

The fishing community of Bukom on the outskirts of Accra, is considered as the mecca of boxing in Ghana and has produced several notable boxers. It is the home of many famous boxing “clubs” and gymnasiums.

Notable fighters include former WBC champion, David Kotei aka DK Poison, Alfred Kotey, Joshua “The Hitter” Clottey,

and former WBA Welterweight champion boxer Ike “Bazooka” Quartey, and former multi-weight class champion Azumah “Zoom Zoom” Nelson aka Prof.