The Paramount Chief of the Gbese Traditional Area, Nii Dr. Ayi-Bonte II, performed the ‘Odadao’ ritual last Thursday to signify the lifting of the one-month ban on drumming and noise-making in Ga Mashie.

‘Odadao’, which literally translates as the beating of the twin drums, serves as a prelude to the celebration of the Homowo Festival, and it is performed exactly one month after the ‘Nmai dumo’ (planting of corn).

Nmai dumo is the spiritual planting of corn, which is done to invoke the blessings of the gods for a bountiful harvest for the year, and it is performed in an atmosphere of absolute peace and tranquility with noise-making activities such as drumming, funerals, and all social activities banned for a period of four weeks.

This year’s ban came into force on May 6, and its lifting paves the way for preparations for the Homowo (hooting at hunger) Festival in the month of August.