By Michael Foli Jackidy
Ho (V/R), Sept. 04, GNA – The Volta Regional capital, Ho, is set to host the third edition of the National Borborbor Championship on September 26, this year.
The colourful celebration to be held at Ho-Bankoe, is expected to showcase Ewe culture, traditional music and dance.
The championship, which has grown from a celebration of Borborbor into a major cultural event, is expected to attract traditional leaders, cultural enthusiasts, music lovers and Borborbor groups from across Ghana and beyond.
Mr Elikem Kuatsikor, the Lead Organiser of the carnival in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) said the event would combine entertainment with efforts to promote, preserve and project the Borborbor tradition as an important component of Ghana’s cultural heritage.
Togbe Afede XIV, the Agbogbomefia of the Asogli State, is expected to grace the grand durbar.
The Agbogbomefia’s expected presence is seen by the organisers as a significant boost to the event and a reflection of the important role of traditional authorities in promoting and preserving indigenous culture.
The day-long programme will feature a carnival procession, carnival performances, the National Borborbor Championship, interactive games and gifts for participants and patrons.
The carnival procession will see registered groups move through parts of Ho in colourful traditional regalia, accompanied by drumming, dancing and choreographed displays.
The registered groups will also entertain their supporters and the public during the carnival performances, with patrons expected to join in the dancing and celebrations.
The main competition will later bring together shortlisted groups that have successfully gone through the preliminary screening stages to compete for the national championship.
Reigning champions, Elikem from Madina, are expected to defend their title against a strong field of contenders, including the Asogli Unity Borborbor Groups, who will seek to use the home advantage and strong local support to wrest the crown from the champions.
Organisers said the competition was expected to be keenly contested, with the participating groups seeking to distinguish themselves through creativity, precision, costumes, choreography, musical arrangements and their ability to engage the audience.
The championship will also have an international dimension with the participation of Mr Manu Koraman, a celebrated artiste from neighbouring Togo.
His performance is expected to add a cross-border flavour to the event and highlight the shared cultural heritage and historical ties between Ghana and Togo, particularly among Ewe communities.
Organisers say the inclusion of the Togolese artiste was part of efforts to position Borborbor beyond a regional and national cultural expression and expose it to audiences across the West African sub-region and beyond.
Beyond the competition, the event will provide space for traditional food, crafts and other cultural displays to promote the rich heritage of the Volta Region.
Families, young people and visitors are expected to participate in games and other activities throughout the day.
The organisers said the event is part of a broader ambition to transform Borborbor from a regional cultural practice into a nationally celebrated and internationally recognised cultural asset.
They said the expected participation of Togbe Afede XIV would further strengthen the event’s cultural significance and provide an opportunity for communities to unite around the preservation and promotion of Ewe heritage.
GNA
Edited by Maxwell Awumah/Benjamin Mensah