‘Ankos’, a Christmas Celebration in Takoradi

What is Christmas without having fun?

 

 Well, the people of Takoradi sure know how to do that to the maximum with their yearly ‘Ankos’ festival celebration also known as the ‘Masquerade’ festival.

Ankos festival 

 Ankos is a festival of celebration whereby people dress in a uniform attire and patrol the whole of Takoradi dancing to a brass band. This celebration was founded by a group of men, Mr. Kweku Attumbu, Tiwa, Yalley and Abonko all of blessed memory in the year 1956 with the first ever group called Ankos, hence the name of the celebration. 

But in recent times, there has been the emergence of several other groups with their own names, that come together to make the celebration. There’s currently more than 21 groups in the region as every year, new ones are formed.

A group displaying their art

 

The celebration which is also a competition among the various groups as well as their brass band, usually starts on the 24th of December, where the various groups give out the attires to their group members in secrecy since the outfits will be awarded marks at the celebration and on the 25th, all the groups compete with their outfits at the carnival for a winner to be picked. On the 26th, another competition is held by MTN Ghana to award the group with the best dance and also the brass band base on their uniforms and rhythms. The celebration continues on the 31st when the groups visit various homes and parole the town as they are given gifts and cash, and finally ends on the 1st of January with a parade. 

Mixed masquerade groups parading

 During the festival, the various masquerade groups come meet in the capital of the region and exhibit their culture, various arts and skills to the public by singing of songs, dancing to the brass band and also with some people known as the A1 standing on a very long sticks displaying massive tactics. 

An A1 displaying his tactics 

                   

 The groups consists of different genders and also involves the young and old who are very drown and passionate about their arts and culture. Each groups outfits differs with creativity and unique touch.

A male and female masquerader

                      

During the 2019 Year of Return which was a year to celebrate the comeback of blacks from the diaspora, a lot of tourists went to Takoradi and joined in the celebration of the festival. 

 

Since Christmas is right around the corner, why not visit Takoradi and join the fun.

 

Rosemond Bessa-Simons