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Incredible Twins Celebration Lights Up Ga Mashie Streets with Double Delight

18th August 2023

Ferdinand | EducationGhana |August 18|Incredible Twins Celebration Lights Up Ga Mashie Streets with Double Delight

The Ga Mashie community in Accra, Ghana, is celebrating the blessings of twins with a colourful parade on Friday, August 18.

The parade, known as the Yeyeeye or Akwele Suma festival, is a celebration of the twin gods, Agbenya and Agbogbo. Twins from the community dress identically in white and parade through the streets of James Town.

The twins are often covered in white clay, which signifies victory, purity, and joy. They also carry baskets of food, including otɔ, a traditional dish made of mashed yam and palm oil.

The parade is a way for the community to celebrate the special bond between twins and to thank the twin gods for their blessings. It is also a time for the twins to come together and socialize with each other.

The Yeyeeye or Akwele Suma festival is a centuries-old tradition that is still celebrated today. It is a vibrant and colourful celebration of the blessings of twins.

In a remarkable display of unity and jubilation, the Ga Mashie community is set to host the captivating Yeyeeye or Akwele Suma festival today, marking a joyous celebration of twin blessings.

This unique event promises to paint the streets of James Town in vibrant colors as twins from the community grace the occasion dressed alike, predominantly adorned in the purity of white garments.

Scheduled annually on the eve of the renowned Homowo Festival, this day of festivity falls on a Friday in the month of August.

The heartwarming festival embraces a tradition of twins coming together in identical attire, symbolizing a shared connection that goes beyond their physical likeness.

As they march through the historic streets of James Town, their presence radiates an aura of camaraderie and shared joy, infusing the atmosphere with an infectious sense of unity.

A remarkable highlight of the festivities is the application of white clay to the twins’ skin, a symbolic gesture that embodies qualities of victory, purity, and elation.

This age-old practice not only enhances the visual spectacle but also serves as a poignant representation of the cherished values that the Ga Mashie community upholds.

Often referred to as the Twin Yam Festival, the event introduces a culinary component that complements the visual and cultural richness.

Twins and attendees alike partake in a delectable dish known as “Otɔ,” a mouthwatering preparation of mashed yam blended with the richness of palm oil.

This culinary delight further solidifies the festival’s theme of togetherness, as people savour the same flavours while revelling in the unique bond that twins share.

As an integral aspect of the festival, pieces of yam are strategically positioned at various entry and exit points of the shrine.

This thoughtful practice is believed to invoke the spirits and blessings of the occasion, creating a spiritual connection that enhances the overall experience.

The Yeyeeye or Akwele Suma festival serves as a testament to the Ga Mashie community’s commitment to preserving their cultural heritage and celebrating the beauty of twin connections.

Beyond the surface-level resemblance, this festival highlights the depth of bonds that twins share, emphasizing unity, joy, and shared values.

The streets of James Town will undoubtedly come alive with an unparalleled sense of energy and enthusiasm as the community and its visitors unite to honour the extraordinary gift of twin blessings.

The Ga Mashie Twin Festival, an awe-inspiring blend of tradition and celebration, promises an unforgettable experience that reverberates with the essence of togetherness and happiness