“Baabi yɛ dɛw mpo a, ɔnto 25th na New Year wɔ Taadi…🎶🎵” These lyrics from Kofi Kinaata were not born out of exaggeration, but sheer sincerity. Takoradi becomes the capital town of Ghana during the Yuletide, and Amanful becomes its seat. Easter is Sekondi-Kɔmfoase. Accra and Kumasi can take 6th March, and Farmers’ Day.
About five decades ago, a small group of about seven young men from Akyenfo (Saltpond) in the Central Region came to Takoradi. In the typical fante communities, masquerading is a different ballgame altogether. The masqueraders are armed to the teeth with their costumes. However, these youngsters changed the status quo. It’s quite unfortunate that the they are all deceased. The last of them, Mr Paul Kobina Odum, died in 2012 at a very old age. Yet their legacy lives on!
They established the first ever masquerade group in Takoradi known as Ankɔs/Ankos. That is why it is common to hear every fancy group in the Metropolis being called Ankos. As the years went by, new groups were formed. Today, there are about fifty fancy groups in the Twin City.
Ankos, Sunato, Holy City, Miami, Supreme, Tumbus, Creche, Valencia, Cosmos, Nyanta Boys, Mississippi, Unity, Showers, California, Infinity, are but a few of the household names.
Two spectacular features of the groups are that, they possess unique costumes. No one imitates the other. The second which is a banger is that, they don’t repeat costumes. Each year, new designs are made. What happens to the old dresses? Fancy groups from other towns and villages buy them for their members. Those dresses come with masks. Some of the masks are European leather made, and the rest we call them “sieve masks” due to their nature. Whenever you see an admirable costume in your town, thank Taadifo.
There’s a saying that “efie biara, ma ɔnsɛ wom”, you’d definitely have some defiant ones. These fellows wear outmoded costumes, and are the Robin Hoods of the festival. They are best referred to as “Manko Menam” (lone rangers). Funny thing is that, they run helter skelter whenever they see a proper fancy group approaching, for fear of being punished. Well, that’s the rule.
Westside Carnival was the maiden name of the masquerading festival in Taadi. It was heralded by Skyy TV and Skyy FM, together with other organizations, and media partners. In Christmas, stages are mounted on one lane of the PWD Road where the main celebrations took place. On the selected days, the various groups showcase their dance from one point of the road to another. There is a panel of judges who award them marks, and later declare the winner. There are other side attractions like eating competition, dancing competition, motorbike stunts, among others. This is only a tip of the iceberg.
In the mornings, the fancy groups assemble at their vantage points, usually the abode of their patrons and patronesses. They are identified with their registers, and schooled on the Dos and Don’ts of their marches. That is juicy part. Each group is accompanied by its brass band as they march through the streets of the city, from one suburb to another, store to store, house to house. People gift them cash, and other gifts in kind.
Refreshing it is to see certain members of a group who couldn’t catch up with their band, join other groups. Isn’t this a an infectious display of unity. Mfantse fo se, koroyɛ mapa.
Azeey, there are other side to the festival. One must be on guard as there could be pickpockets around. In view of this and other social vices, policemen and women are dispatched to patrol the city.
Not every thing deserves a reaction. When someone yells “bɛlɛ” at you, ignore him or her. Ask the person to use the same energy to pronounce “three”, and you’d hear “kyree kyree”. Haha. Ehu ɛ? Ɔyɛ a, mɛnfa no high, atse?
This is a moment of joy. To some, it is homecoming. To some, it is tourism. And to the rest, it is nostalgia since they will miss the events. People from all walks of life join in. Eve ghosts visit too. Mɛnhwɛ me dɛm ɛɛ, I am not lying. Oh, I almost forgot. To some children, it is a nightmare. Nightmare of seeing masked men approaching. I remember a certain boy from Effia-Kuma who jumped into a gutter to hide, and a woman unknowingly poured dirty water on him. Another lad also hid inside a chicken coop, all because he was sorely afraid of the masks.
Not only is it fun, but it is a moment of fostering friendships, networking, and building connections. There are prominent men and women who remove their suits, and wear the costumes. So many opportunities are open to the ambitious person. Get aboard a bus and go to Takoradi.
Remember it is a season of love. Love yourself and put a smile on the face of others. Christmas is Taadi, and Taadi is Christmas.
By Ekow Author Excellence
Photo – Nii Kotei