Homowo Twins Festival: Why the Ga People Celebrate Twins

In the heart of Ghana’s Ga Mashie communities, the Homowo Festival is more than a celebration of harvest it is a sacred time of remembrance, resilience, and cultural pride. One of its most spiritual and visually captivating elements is the Twins Festival, traditionally known as Hanji yele or Akweleeuma.

From their symbolic cleansing to their joyful parade through the streets, twins occupy a special place in the Ga worldview as blessings, as once-feared spirits, and now, as celebrated icons of continuity and life.

History Of Twins in Ga Tradition

According to Ga cultural historian Nii Ashiikwei Kwabotwe the birth of twins among the Ga was once met with fear. They were believed to carry spiritual imbalance or misfortune, and in ancient times, many were tragically rejected or even killed at birth.

But that story changed during the reign of King Ayi Bonte, who became the first known Ga monarch to openly defy the taboo. When his own wife bore twins two boys he could not bring himself to harm them. Instead, he spirited them away to a neighboring town, quietly providing for them over the years.

Eventually, the twins returned to Ga Mashie as young men and their resemblance to the king was undeniable. Their presence sparked a shift in consciousness, and the king called for a sacred ritual to purify, bless, and accept them into society. That ritual would evolve into today’s Twins Festival.

Spiritual Cleansing: The Ritual of Acceptance

Each year, during Homowo, a sacred ceremony called Nmaa Dumo (Cleansing of the Gods) begins the spiritual calendar. For the twins, a similar cleansing occurs:

• A wooden bowl is filled with water and seven sacred herbs.
• A white egg is cracked into the mixture, alongside the blood of a white fowl and a goat, offered to cleanse spiritual impurities.
• Priests recite sacred incantations over the bowl, invoking ancestral guidance.

The water is then sprinkled from shrine to shrine, house to house, to purify the community and prepare it for the festival ahead.

The Celebration: Processions, Feasting, and Purification

On the day of the Twins Festival, the streets of Jamestown, Chorkor, Gbese, and Sempe come alive:

Ritual	Description
White Clothing	Twins are dressed in white to symbolize unity, purity, and divine favor.
Bathing Ceremony	They are given a special ceremonial bath believed to shield them from misfortune.
Special Meal: Mashtian	A sacred meal of yam and traditional stew is prepared specifically for twins.
Final Parade	After the feast, the leftovers are turned into a sacred residue and poured along the Korle Lagoon, a symbolic act of purification and offering.

Sounds of Joy: Music, Dance, and the Community Spirit

During the festivities, the town echoes with:

• Traditional drumming and singing
• Dancing twins moving through the crowd
• Mothers celebrating their unique bond with their children

The spirit is infectious joy, unity, and pride fill the air.

Why It Still Matters Today

The Twins Festival reminds us of two powerful truths:

1. Culture evolves — what was once feared can become sacred when seen through new eyes.
2. Community healing is possible — and it often begins with inclusion, tradition, and storytelling.

Twins, once rejected, are now a celebrated symbol of the Ga people’s resilience and spiritual awakening.

Want to Experience It Firsthand?

If you’re planning to visit Ghana between May and September, the Homowo season is a perfect time to explore Ga traditions.

Join our guided “Homowo Heritage Walk” in Jamestown to witness the Twins Festival and other sacred rites.
👉 Book your tour here

Related Content & Tours

• Greater Accra Travel Guide
• Tours for Cultural Travelers
• Homowo Festival Main Page

Final Words: The Legacy of Hanji Ayele

What began as a royal act of defiance has become a cherished tradition of love and acceptance. The Twins Festival is not just about the twins — it’s about reclaiming stories, healing history, and celebrating a future where all children are welcome.