By Kamal Ahmed
Somanya (E/R), Aug. 07, GNA – The Yilo Klo Traditional Council in Somanya has launched the 2024 Kloyosikplemi festival in Yilo Krobo, Eastern Region to commemorate the forced displacement of their forefathers from their ancestral home by the British colonial authority in 1892.
Kloyosikplemi, one of the migration festivals, lasts one week and includes a variety of activities.
This goal inspired the event’s name, Kloyosikplemi, which means ‘The Descent from Krobo Mountain’.
The Krobo people held the Mountain in high regard, as it served as their home and ritual focus for centuries.
The mountain is still used for pilgrimages during special festivals, even though almost nothing remains of the original Krobo towns after British forces destroyed them.
This year’s event is on the theme: “Redefining the Tourism Story of Yilo Klo State for Infrastructural Development,” and will take place from November 2nd to 18th, 2024
Mr Felix Kortey Korley Nuertey, deputy chairman of the Paramountcy Projects & Materials Mobilisation Committee, speaking on behalf of Dr Sampson Ofei, stated that the focus of this year’s festival is tourism, which is consistent with the paramount chief’s vision.
“You may recall that last year, HRM Oklepeme Nuer Anorbaa Sasraku II and his elders began linking developmental initiatives to festival celebrations in addition to each year’s theme focus”
Adding, “we are not just going to do the usual Kloyosikplemi festival, but there should be a focus for each year, and this year’s focus is on tourism and infrastructure development.”
He said this year’s event aims to capture the youth to inculcate the culture and traditions into their lives while they are still young.
The festival also hopes to inspire the people of Yilo Klo who have left the nation, as well as diasporans and others, to promote the tourism sector and the distinctive culture of the people.
GNA