The Ewes: Culture, Music & Beyond

DR. GANU'S RESEARCH CENTER

The Flag of the Ewe People

Naketsi Reka No Dzome Bi Nu

The Light of the World

THE EWES

Music & Culture

Eweland encompasses the south eastern section of Ghana (mainly east of the Volta River), the entire mid to southern portions of Togo and the south western section of Benin. The Ewes moved into these new areas from the Niger river valley metropolis of Ketu (in Nigeria) between the 13th and 14th centuries.

THE EWE ALPHABETS

Upper Cases:

A B D Ɖ E Ɛ F ƒ G Ɣ H X I K L M N ŋ O Ɔ P R S T U V ʋ W Y Z

Lower Cases:

a b d ɖ e ε f ƒ g ɤ h x i k l m n ŋ o ɔ p r s t u v ʋ w y z

The Anlo Ewes

President Sylvanus Olympio on NBC Meet the Press-1

THE SPEECH OF DR. R. ARMATTOE TO THE UN ON EWES' UNIFICATION - 1953

President Sylvanus Olympio on NBC Meet the Press-2

Anlo Ewe Great Liberator: Gen. Kotoka led the coup in 1966 in overthrowing President Kwame Nkrumah.

YET ANOTHER EWE: Patrica Mawuli Nyekodzi, the First Female Certified ROTAX Engineer & Pilot in the World. Take a look ...

Ewes' Dance Procession: Anloga Hogbetsotso Za 11-08

The Ewes of Nigeria

The people of Badagry are actually Ogun/Ajah/Ewe people erroneously referred to as Egun/Agayin and speak Ogungbe Ogu/Ewe language respectively. They are industrious, courageous and painstaking of people from four main stocks namely Whras, Whedahs, the Whemes and the Ga/Ewe/Aja respectively. Historically, their origin was traced to the ancient Oduduwa kingdom. They were said to have migrated from Ile-Ife around the mid-twelfth [thirteenth] century (1275) and journeyed through the present day Republic of Benin, Togo and finally to Ghana. They are actually a sub-set of the larger Yoruba nation. The Ewe/Ogu people have their kith and kins in the Republic of Benin (former Dahomey), today's Ghana (former Gold Coast) and Republic of Togo and in the Egbado South area of Ogun state of Nigeria some of those who moved out later came back to Nigeria. As an enterprising and industrious people, they settled along the coastline (Lagos State) stretching from Kweme sea-beach (Seme Boarder) going through the previously well-known as "Aimolofide" or Menukunme contracted to "Mekuwen" at the Victoria Island, Lagos to Epe beaches. Their affinity to the coast may not be unconnected with their newly acquired trade of fishing and coconut [farming] during their sojourn in Benin, Togo and Ghana. Read more …

CULTURE

THE EWES: CEANA 2012

AFA DIVINATION

Afa divinity has 16 "Dunowo" or twin signs, but there are a total of 257 "Kpoliwo"or signs. From 1-16 are the twins and the combination signs are called "viklewo"i.e. the 17th. It is the combination of the 13th and the 15th signs of the twins. In casting, the signs are not formed manually. They are formed when the Agumaga is thrown on the mat. ( see the signs below) Because "Kpoliwo" are astrally connected, there might be some similarities between them and zodiacal signs. But "kpoliwo" are neither based on one's date of birth nor assigned to anyone by the high priest of the religion. Each member's sign will emerge through the initiation process. This process is objective and influenced only by the spirits of the person and the divinity.

AGUMAGA

When the Agumaga is thrown on the mat, the pattern it makesdetermines the Kpoliwo or sign. Here are examples of the first 17 Kpoliwo.

1. Gbemedzi Tototo, lololo

2. Yekumedzi Bokono tedu kpokpo

3. Wolimedzi Gbodovi mebu na

4. Dimedzi Wodi kpa

5. Losomedzi Akpa bie nu ne xe

6. Nolimedzi Agbali kpata

7. Ablamedzi Ebe xexi me no

8. Aklamedzi Adenyra mewua

9. Gudamedzi Ebe yeti,yeti

10. Samedzi Awuito awuida

11. Ekamedzi Eka dzelele, nka

12. Trukpemedzi Ezie avu to, avu ha

13. Tulamedzi Tumbe, dombe

14. Letemedzi Ezu si gla ye

15. Tsiemedzi Kata dzie dza

16. Fumedzi Fumedzi, hekpa

17. Tsietula Klevovi mefoa to wo de o

The Ewes And Afa Divination

The Agumaga Process

Afa - Agumaga: Ewes' Religious Divination Process

Afa - Ewes Religious Divination Process; Source:Blakhud Ewe Kente collection

Anlo 36 Principal Cities & Towns - By Margaret Amitor Aidam

The Origin of Okomfo Anokye- By Dr. A. Dotse

Vodou - A Reporter's Note - By John Burnett of The New York Times

The Subject of Trokosi - By Dr. David Tay

The Pope's Apology in Benin to Africans Over Non-Reverential Treatment of African Religions

Zion College of West Africa: The Oldest Secondary Education in the Ewe's Volta Region - The History.

Ewe Clans' Names By Gender & Order of Birth

Anlo Traditional Marriage Requirements - By Margaret Amitor Aidam

The Ewe Kete Cloth (The Original "Kente")

Ewe Kete Cloth Samples

The Anlos' Signature Cloth

Ewes Kete Cloth - The Original Takpekpe Le Anloga 1967; Source: Blakhud Ewe [Kente] Collections

Ewes Kete Cloths - The Original Takpekpe Le Anloga 1967; Source: Blakhud Ewe Kente Collections

MUSIC

The Family of the Ewes' Agbadza Drums

Ewes' Agbadza Drums

Ewes Agbadza Music From Togo- By Akpatchavi

Agbadza Drummers

Axatse - An Ewe musical instrument used to complement other sounds.

Axatse - Ewes' Musical Instrument

Gankogui (Bell) - An Ewe musical instrument used to complement other sounds (usually the beginning sound in any Ewe musical performance).

Gankogui - An Ewe Musical Instrument Used as the Rhythm Setter which is followed by the Axatse.

Ewes Agbadza Music From Togo

Togo-Benin Mix Agbadza

CEANA 2012

CEANA 2012 LAUNCHING

CEANA 2012 ANNUAL CONFERENCE IN HOUSTON TEXAS

CEANA 2012 IN HOUSTON

CEANA SEPTEMBER 2012

Dzigbordi Cultural Dance Group Dzodze Ghana

Adzrowo - Imitation of Ewes' Druming- Ghana

The Ewes' Afa Music Performance By UC Berkeley Students

The Ewes Afa Religious Music By UC Berkeley Students

Ewes' Gahu Music Performed by Cornell University World Drum & Dance

Ewes Gahu Music by Binghamton Students

Bella Bellow - Dan Du Kodzo

Bella Bellow- Dasi Ko

Akofa Akoussah - La Lem

Akofa Akoussah I Tcho Tchass

Gbeti Madjro by Orchestre Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou Dahomey

Queen of Sheba's First Visit to Anloland - Keta 2005

President J.J. Rawlings (an Ewe) of Ghana at age 18

Rawlings At 18

Gbedemah (an Ewe) & The Nixons on Ghana's Independence Day on 6th March 1957

K. A. Gbedemah (R) & Vice President Nixon and His Wife on Ghana's Independence Day 1957

First Miss Ghana (an Ewe) - Miss Trans-Volta Togoland 1957

First Miss Ghana (An Ewe) - Miss Trans-Volta Togoland, Accra 1957

President J.J. Rawlings (Ewe) of Ghana 1979 & 1981-2001

President J.J. Rawlings of Ghana

Torgbi Sri The First of Anloland Meeting with Some Colonial Dignitries

Torgbi Sri the First Meeting with Some Colonial Dignitries

The Treaty Between the King & Chiefs of Anlo and The British Colonial Government of the Gold Coast

Dr. Armattoe's Speech to the UN on Ewe Togoland Unification - 1953

The Defence of Ewes' Independence By Captain C. Brooks

EWE CLANS AND THEIR FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

It is believed that the Ameawo arrived in Anloland (Alakple and about) before Torgbi Wenya's arrival.

1. Ameawo - Founder (Mahu Ahafia) - Nugbidodo (settle disputes/); Control all palm trees (Detsi) in Anloland.

Totem is Avutsu (male dog), a fetish that was given to the people of Alakple by Tsali (a mystic man from Tsiame and the founder of Tsiame Clan) to protect the people from the attack of wild animals.

Taboos:

a. Wearing of shirts, blouses/tops and sandals is prohibited within the Torgbi Nyigbla shrine

b. It is a taboo for the people of Alakple to shout loud with the intention of drawing attention to ones woes

c. It is a taboo to whistle in Alakple town

d. It is a taboo to fry fish with palm kernel oil

e. The Amee clan members do not eat smoked crab

f. Amee clan members do not eat crocodile

g. It is a taboo to bring or rear or keep a dog (avu) in Alakple. Amee clan members are not to be touched by a dog; when touched, they have to touch back with their feet otherwise they suffer from a dreadful skin disease

2. Loapeawo - Founder (Wenya Setsi) - Tsipopodi (libation)

3. Dzeviawo - Founder (Aduadui) - Kpekulawo (Pipers)

4. Amladeawo - Founder (Besa Kofa) - Function?

5. Adzorviawo - Founder (Kponoe, later Togbi Sri I) - Function?

6. Bateawo - Founder (Fui Avoke Adeladzea) - Function?

7. Likeawo - Founder (Wetsigbe Atorgolo) - Function?

8.Toviawo - Founder (Do Kponor) - Function?

9. Bameawo - Founder (Akoli Bamia) - Function?

10. Klevieawo - Founder (Dodi Fuga) - Function?

11. Agaveawo - Founder (Ago) - Function?

12. Tsiameawo - Founder (Tsali) - Function?

13. Whipemeawo - Founder (Amega Le) - Function?

14. Yetsopeawo - Founder (?) - Function?

15. Ebluawo - Founder (?) - Function?

ANLO CLANS, THEIR TOTEMS AND FUNCTIONALITIES By Alex Kpodonu

EWES' GEOPOLITICAL MAP 1800 - 1957

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