THE ASAFO DANCE

Winneba was founded in 1515 by the Efutu settlers under the leader Osimpa, hence, the name Simpa Efutu which is also the dialect spoken in Winneba. 

According to the history, the name Winneba originated from sailors who plied along the Atlantic Coast and who were often aided along the bay by  favorable winds. 

From their constant use of the words windy bay, the name Winneba was coined.

THE ASAFO COMPANY

Winneba has a number of music and dance forms but the famous is the Asafo traditional dance which is performed with three drums and gong gong beating. 

It is mostly the men who do the clapping and singing just to keep the rhythm and the tempo, but the dancing is non – restrictive. It is also known that women can perform the Asafo traditional dance very well even though, it is a warrior dance and for that matter it has to be performed and danced by men.

THE WORRIOR DANCE BEING PERFORMED

The Asafo dance is a traditional warrior dance performed by a group in Akan culture. The word derives from "Sa" meaning War, and "Fo", meaning people which was coined to be the Asafo dance in Winneba. 

Custumes used to perform Asafo dance is Red which signifies War or Danger., and this warrior dance was formed by the elder of Osubonpanyin led by one Kwesi Teikoh,  Asafohen of the Asomfo division of the No.2 Asafo group of Winneba.

THE ASAFO DANCE AND DURBAR GOING ON

Somewhere along the line, some artisans, drivers and fisher folks who from their regular expeditions out of town have through association or intuition picked such cultural pieces, and while introducing them, have adapted them to their homeland situation.

In the olden days, the Asafo traditional dance was only performed during durbar, and festival but presently the Asafo traditional dance is for entertainment and social functions. 

DURBAR OF THE CHIEFS AND PEOPLE OF THE TOWN

It is also known that during Akomase and Fetu Afayhire festival, there were so many groups of the Asafo traditional dance, and each of these groups danced or performed to entertain the public, and at  special ceremonies, they either take a token of cash or were offered drinks in appreciation.

Drumming and dancing forms an integral part of the lives of the people in central region, Cape Coast to be precise. The municipality of Cape Coast and its environs are known and noted for the Asafo dance thus, there is no durbar of chiefs that drumming and dancing do not included or performed to crown the occasion.

In spite of that, it will be an unfinished business or ceremony for the people of the central region and Winneba to be precise plus its environs for their annual festival, which is the “Fetu Afahye” of the Oguaa traditional area to be celebrated without “Asafo dance” companies trooping out and parading on the streets of Winneba in their colorful splendor attire.

ASAFO GROUPS IN THEIR COLOURFUL ATTIRE

For instance, during the “Afahye Festival", the Seven Asafo companies, in the multitude of colorful uniforms, troop the streets of Oguaa just to grace the occasion.

STORY BY: NANA ADJOA MARY KOTEY

PICTURES TAKEN FROM: https//m.youtube.com.watch 0