The Central Region, with its historic coastal towns and imposing forts, is a tapestry of Ghanaian culture. The Fante people, with their rich traditions and vibrant festivals, have left an indelible mark on the region’s identity. The legacy of European trade and colonial influence is evident in the region’s architecture and history. The Fante language is dominant.

Historical Context and Migration Patterns:

• The Fante people have a long history of trading with Europeans, which has shaped their culture and society. The region’s coastal forts and castles stand as reminders of the transatlantic slave trade.

Festivals:

• Fetu Afahye: A purification festival held in Cape Coast, Fetu Afahye is a spectacle of drumming, dancing, and grand processions. The festival, marked by rituals and ceremonies, cleanses the community and renews its spiritual strength.
• Odwira Festival: Celebrating the harvest and ancestral spirits, Odwira is a time of colourful parades and traditional rituals. The festival, marked by feasting and drumming, honours the region’s heritage and ensures continued prosperity.
• Edina Bronya – The Edina Bronya Festival is an annual harvest festival celebrated by the chiefs and peoples of Elmina in the Central Region of Ghana. The festival is a novel Christmas during the Dutch era of the colonial period.
• Aboakyir – The Aboakyer festival is a deer hunting festival celebrated by the people of Winneba in the Central Region of Ghana.
• Edina Bakatue – The festival is used to mark the beginning of the fishing season in Elmina. The name Bakatue is from the Fante dialect and translates as “draining of a lagoon”.
• PANAFEST/ Emancipation
• Akwambo – The Akwambo festival is celebrated in August by the people of Agona and Gomoa districts in the Central Region of Ghana. The Akwambo literally meaning “path-clearing”, is celebrated by the people of Agona in the Central Region.
• Odambea – The Odambea festival is celebrated every year at the end of August by the chiefs and people of Nkusukum traditional area; it means ‘strengthened link’ (of Akan chieftaincy) which was given after the people of Nkusukum migrated from Techiman.
• Awubia – Awubia is a traditional festival held to hoot at hunger and usher in a bumper harvest of grains. A highlight of the Awubia Festival is the communal feast, where families come together to share traditional dishes prepared from the freshly harvested crops.
• Ahobaa Kese – The Abeadze Ahobaa Kese Festival is a cherished annual celebration observed by the people of the Abeadze Traditional Area in the Central Region of Ghana. It is a week long celebration marked by traditional drumming and dancing with a set day for the performance of traditional
  rituals and special stool rites. During the festival the people come together in remembrance of Egya Ahor who gave up
  himself to be sacrificed to stop an epidemic.
• Nyeyi and Tuakrom – The Festival is celebrated in honour of the departed heroes and heroines for their great contribution to the various traditional areas in Komenda. It is also used as an occasion to strengthen the bond between the people and their ancestors.
• Okyir – This festival, cherished by many Akan communities as a time of thanksgiving for a bountiful harvest, honouring ancestors, and strengthening community bonds.

Fabrics, Textiles, and Fashion:

• Colourful woven cloths and beaded jewellery, often incorporated into festive attire, reflect the region’s artistic heritage. These fabrics, with their vibrant patterns and intricate designs, showcase the skill and creativity of Fante weavers.

Indigenous Architecture:

• Historic forts and castles, remnants of the region’s colonial past, stand alongside traditional Fante houses. These structures, with their unique architectural styles, reflect the region’s diverse history.

Traditional Games & Sports:

• Coastal games and fishing-related activities, such as canoe racing and net throwing, reflect the region’s maritime heritage. These activities, passed down through generations, preserve the region’s cultural traditions.

Traditional Dances & Folklore:

• Kundum Dance: A dance performed during harvest festivals, Kundum is marked by rhythmic drumming and energetic movements. The dance, with its colourful costumes and vibrant choreography, celebrates the region’s agricultural bounty.
• The use of traditional horns is also common.

Local Food: Seafood dishes, fufu, and banku are staple foods.

Craftsmanship: Canoe building and fishing net making are important crafts.

Folklore and Oral Traditions:

• Folklore often reflects the region’s maritime history and the impact of European contact. Anansegoro (spider stories) are also popular. Proverbs are used to convey wisdom and guide social behaviour.

Traditional Religion and Spirituality:

• Traditional Fante religion involves the worship of a Supreme Being (Nyanme), ancestral spirits, and various deities associated with the sea and other natural forces. Rituals are performed to honour ancestors and seek their protection.

Contemporary Cultural Expressions:

• Highlife music has been heavily influenced by the region’s musical traditions. Cultural tourism is significant, with attractions like Cape Coast Castle and Elmina Castle drawing visitors from around the world.

Regional Variation in Craftsmanship:

Canoe building techniques vary along the coast, with different designs adapted to different fishing conditions. Fishing net making is a specialised craft, with intricate techniques for creating durable and effective nets.