Edina Bronya Festival

The Edina Bronya Festival is an annual harvest festival celebrated by the chiefs and peoples of Elmina in the Central Region of Ghana. The festival is a novel Christmas during the Dutch era of the colonial period. It is usually celebrated in the first Thursday of January every year.[1][2][3][4]

History

After the Portuguese suffered defeat in the hands of the Dutch in 1627, they introduce a form of 'Christmas' locally known as Bronya to the local people. It coincides with the Dutch Festival and signifies the relationship between the people of Elmina and the Dutch.[5]

Celebrations

Families and friends get together to celebrate with merry-making and eating. On the eve of the festival, shots are fired at midnight by the Paramount Chief to usher into the New Year. The Paramount Chief rides in a palanquin on the following day.[6] Sheep are slaughtered in front of the Elmina castle.[7]

References
  1. "Festival | The Embassy of the Republic of Ghana, Berlin, Germany". Retrieved 2020-08-16.
  2. "Edina Bronya Festival in Elimina takes place on the 1st Thursday of January". viewGhana. 2018-02-15. Retrieved 2020-08-16.
  3. Wilson, Steven A. "Check out this 9 day Masquerading and Edina Bronya tour in Ghana!". Easy Track Ghana. Retrieved 2020-08-16.
  4. "How 'Edina Bronya' came to be". Graphic Online. Retrieved 2020-08-16.
  5. "Edina Bronya Festival". viewGhana. Retrieved 2020-08-16.
  6. "Edina Bronya in Elmina". Retrieved 2020-08-16.
  7. "Festivals Ghana - Easy Track Ghana". www.easytrackghana.com. Retrieved 2020-08-16.
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