At dawn they hunt: The sacred ritual of Aboakyer’s deer chase – Nsemkeka
At the break of dawn on the first Saturday of May, the coastal town of Winneba awakens to the rhythmic cadence of drums and the fervent chants of its people.
This marks the commencement of the Aboakyer Festival, a vibrant celebration deeply rooted in the traditions of the Effutu people.
The Friday preceding the hunt is spectacular for Aboakyer. Two traditional groups, the Tuafo (Number One) and Dentsifo (Number Two) Asafo companies, parade the town with their gods, along selected routes in turns to prevent clashes.
The Asafo groups disperse at the end of the day to prepare for the actual hunt the following day.
Before dawn, these groups embark on a daring quest into the nearby game reserves, armed only with sticks and their bare hands, to capture a live deer.
When a catch is made, a message is sent to the people in town, sparkling jubilation. As the sun ascends, anticipation builds among the townspeople gathered at the durbar grounds.
The triumphant return of the hunters, bearing the live deer aloft on the shoulders of at least two men, is met with jubilant celebrations.
The captured animal is paraded through the streets, accompanied by drumming, dancing, and singing.
Myjoyonline’s photojournalist, Sammy Moore, joined the hunters at dawn and captured these striking moments from the sacred chase.