Anlo Culture in focus as HOGBETSOTSO Za Approaches
The Anlo people of Ghana’s Volta Region are preparing for this year’s Hogbetsotso Za Festival, set for November 1, 2025, a celebration that highlights their history, unity, and cultural pride. The festival commemorates the Anlo migration from Notsie in present-day Togo and features purification rites, reconciliation ceremonies, a grand durbar of chiefs, and vibrant displays of music, dance, and storytelling. Organizers expect a wide range of dignitaries, traditional rulers, and international guests, underscoring the festival’s growing national and global significance. Beyond its pageantry, Hogbetsotso Za reinforces values of unity, respect, and resilience, keeping Anlo traditions alive for future generations.
By RAW reporters
As preparations gather momentum for this year’s Hogbetsotso Za Festival in the Volta Region, attention is once again turning to the rich cultural heritage of the Anlo people. The festival, which falls on the first Saturday of November, remains the centerpiece of Anlo identity, drawing together traditional values, history, music, and governance in a grand display that captivates both locals and international visitors.
History and Identity
The Anlo people trace their roots to Notsie in present-day Togo, from where they migrated centuries ago under the leadership of Torgbui Wenya. Oral tradition recalls how the Ewe community escaped the cruelty of King Agorkoli by softening part of the city wall with water and slipping out under cover of night. This defining act of resilience and unity is at the heart of Hogbetsotso Za, which literally means “the festival of exodus.”
“Every year, Hogbetsotso reminds us that freedom is not given but earned, and unity is the bond that sustains us,” says cultural historian Dr. Selorm Agbemadi.
Hogbetsotso Za 2025: More Than a Festival
This year’s celebration, scheduled for Saturday, November 1, 2025, promises to be one of the largest in recent memory. The festival will begin with purification rites, the cleansing of ancestral stools, and reconciliation ceremonies among clans. It will culminate in a colorful durbar of chiefs, with the Awoamefia, Togbi Sri III, presiding in full regalia.
“Hogbetsotso is not only about our past; it is also about our future,” noted Togbi Sri III during a preparatory gathering. “We use this occasion to heal divisions, reaffirm our values, and present our culture to the world.”
Dignitaries and Guests Expected
Organizers say this year’s Hogbetsotso Za will welcome a wide array of dignitaries. High-ranking government officials, traditional rulers from across Ghana, and representatives from neighboring West African countries are expected to attend. The festival will also host members of Ghana’s diaspora and international cultural delegations, underscoring the global recognition of Anlo traditions.
“The attendance of dignitaries from across Ghana and beyond shows that Hogbetsotso is not just an Anlo festival, but a national and international event,” explains Mr. Wisdom Agordzo, chairman of the Hogbetsotso Planning Committee.
Music, Dance, and Oral Tradition
Visitors to Hogbetsotso are often captivated by the drumming and dancing that animate the celebrations. Traditional dances like Agbadza and Atsiagbekor will once again be performed, accompanied by intricate drum ensembles that echo the stories of war, migration, and resilience.
“When the drums speak, the people answer,” explains master drummer Kofi Setsofia. “The rhythms of Hogbetsotso carry the voices of our ancestors, reminding us who we are.”
Storytelling, proverbs, and folktales will also feature prominently, keeping alive the oral traditions that have shaped the moral and social fabric of Anlo life.
Dress, Cuisine, and Hospitality
The festival will also showcase Anlo fashion and cuisine. Chiefs and elders will appear in vibrant woven cloths, adorned with beads and symbolic staffs, while women will don bright headscarves and jewelry. Visitors can look forward to tasting staples such as akple with okro soup, abolo, and smoked tilapia — dishes that reflect the coastal environment of the Anlo homeland.
A Living Heritage
Beyond the pageantry, Hogbetsotso Za underscores the continuing relevance of Anlo culture in modern Ghana. The values of unity, respect for elders, and communal living remain central to Anlo society. Elders stress that these traditions provide the moral compass for younger generations.
“Even as we embrace modernity, Hogbetsotso reminds us that culture is our anchor,” says Mama Ama Afi, a traditional priestess. “It keeps us grounded while we reach for new horizons.”
Looking Ahead
As Hogbetsotso Za 2025 draws near, excitement is building not just in Anlo land but across Ghana and the diaspora. The festival remains a powerful reminder of how tradition and modernity can coexist, offering lessons in resilience, reconciliation, and cultural pride.
For the Anlo people, Hogbetsotso is more than a festival — it is a living declaration that their culture, history, and identity will continue to thrive for generations to come.
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