Dipo is a rite of passage for adolescent girls
The elders of Ogome in the Yilo Krobo Traditional Area of the Eastern Region have undertaken exclusive rituals to usher in the celebrations of this year’s Dipo rites.
Dipo is a rite of passage for adolescent girls celebrated amongst the Ga-Adangme people including the people of Somanya, Odumase, Ningo, Prampram, Ada, Shai and Osu.
The events held over the weekend at Somanya saw traditionalists undertake various rites including the purification and cleansing of the black stool at the Okwe River.
The elders explained that the Dipo rites would not be held over the next seven years if the rites are not performed in any particular year.
“If the rites are not performed, the Dipo can only be performed after seven years,” said Nene Wetse Saki II, Setse of Ogome. “Dipo involves the Ga-Adangme people, failure to do this (cleaning of the Stool) means the entire Ga-Adangme has fallen.”
The consequences of putting the Dipo on hold, he explained, would see many young girls being deprived of the sanctity of the rites which is crucial in their transformation into womanhood.
Part of the celebrations include the cleansing of the Stool in the Okwe River after which it’s ‘fed’ and confined in a room for seven days.
This is followed a week later by the Asimeyo rites performed for the Dipo Stool which eventually opens the door for the celebration of the Dipo rites for the year.
The rites have been performed since the 18th Century by the forefathers of the Ga-Adangmes who hailed from Israel.
Nene Wetse Saki II decried the failure by modern society to adhere to their traditions and customs unlike in the past where customs were respected.
The situation, he said, is leading to the retrogression of the Yilo Krobo community.
On his part, an elder, Setso Nuettey Francis explained that the ritual performed by the people of Ogome known by the appellation, “Buade,” called on all Ga-Adangmes to join the people of Ogome in holding the event to ensure that the customs and traditions of the people which are being forgotten, are upheld.
According to him, the appellation Buade is in recognition of the feat by the people of Ogome as the first occupants of the Krobo Mountains in 1892.
He also called on the various divisions within the Ga-Adangme State to involve other divisions during the celebration of their traditional events to ensure that the customs and traditions are upheld and passed onto future generations.
Many young girls are expected to undergo this year’s Dipo puberty rites to transform them into womanhood.
