Ohum Festival

Kwame Botwe-Asamoab

The Akyem, like many African kingdoms, observe festivals that accentuate the religion of the kingdom. One such festival is Ohum. The Akyem Ohum is a commemorative festival that explicates the religion and origin of the Akyem people. Central to Ohum is River Birem, the spiritual force and fountain source of the existence of the Akyem state. Legend has it that the aboriginal Akyem people led by Okomfo Asare emerged from the depth of River Birem at Bunso with five divine stools. Okyeame (state philosopher), Okomfo (High Priest) Asare emerged from the depth of the river with his body covered with white calico, merekenson (palm frond) held on his left shoulder. But, according to some accounts, the Akyem of the Aduana abusua (maternal kinship) migrated from Nyanoa or Fomena under King Okru Banin, with Okomfo Asare leading the way, to settle on the banks of River Birem at Bunso by The ...

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