Sekondi
Kundum
Oral tradition states that a hunter from Aboade saw dwarfs dancing
to the rhythm of strange music while on a hunting expedition. The
hunter watched these strange creatures perform their strange dance
for one month and later brought the dance home. Another legend also
says that there existed in the village of Aboade a palm tree, which
is associated with the origin of the Kundum Festival. The fruits
of this tree used to ripen once in a year, and with time, this period
became a symbolic calendar in the lives of the people. The ripening
of the palm fruit became the signal for the festival to begin.
The Nzemas later adopted Kundum. It is therefore
not only the Ahantas who celebrate Kundum, but also the Nzemas.
The Sekondi people also adopted Kundum when they settled at Sekondi.
Although there are similarities in the way Kundum is celebrated
among these people, there are some unique features in the way it
is celebrated in every district. Through these festivals, the people
remember their ancestors and ask for their help and protection.
The festivals are also used to purify the whole state.
The Sekondi Kundum Festival may be regarded as a harvest festival,
as well as a period for remembering the dead, cleansing the community
and setting new goals for the coming year.
It is interesting to note how foreign contact
and modern economic development have reshaped the manner of celebrating
the festival as the years go by. When the paramount chief sits in
state to receive homage from his subjects, development projects
are planned and means for raising funds are considered.
The unique feature about this festival is that it moves from town
to town. If you miss it this week, you get another opportunity to
see it at another place. |