To honour both personal and community ancestors, a significant number of Ashanti Chiefs (Nana nom) celebrated the Akwasidae festival yesterday in Edmonton, North London.
The Akwasidae Festival pays tribute to the culture, royal heritage, and chiefs of the Ashanti people. This celebration is recognized by all members of the Ashanti diaspora and serves to honour ancestors of great significance.
At the gathering, the Nananom invoked the spirit of their ancestors through libation pouring, music, dancing, and singing to honour the lesser gods of the Akan tradition (Abosom) and spiritually revered ancestors (Nananom Nsamanfo). In Ashanti tradition, it is believed that the lower deities, referred to as Abosom, assist humans on earth. The act of pouring libation serves as an offering to both the ancestors in their graves and the spirits that inhabit the world around us.
In Akan tradition, the Abosom are categorized into three groups: the Atano (gods from water bodies such as rivers, led by Tano), Ewim (sky gods), and Abo (gods from the forests). The Ewim are often viewed as judgmental and merciless, whereas the Abo is associated with healing and medicine. Each of these groups has distinct realms in Asoro (the realm of the gods).
The event yesterday took place at Houndsfield Primary School in Edmonton, North London.
