Hogbetsotso festival

De **Hogbetsotso festival (**dem dey pronounce am **Hogbechocho)** be festival wey de chiefs den de people of Anlo in Volta Region of Ghana dey celebrate. Some popular towns for Anlo be Anloga(capital), Keta, , Kedzi, Vodza, Whuti, Srogboe, Tegbi, Dzita, Abor, Afiadenyigba, Anyako, Konu, Alakple, Atsito , Atiavi, Deʋegodo, Atorkor, Tsiame den odas. Dem dey celebrate am every year first Saturday wey go come for de month of November for Anlogo, ein be de customary den ritual capital for de Anlo State. Dem komot de name from de Ewe Language insyd wey de translation be say *festival of exodus* anaa “dey komot from *Hogbe* (Notsie). De celebration of de festival start like 4 decades dis.

## History
De Anlo be people wey komot one tribe wey dey de Eastern Coast for Ghana. Before say dem cam settle where dem dey rydee na dem dey Notsie, one town dey presently for Togo. Dem believe say dem migrate from Southern Sudan thru Oyo area wey dey Nigeria, Ketou for Benin insyd den Adja Tado insyd Togo wey dem cam settle for Notsie. Dema Oral Tradition say na dem dey live under sam wicked King, Togbe Agorkoli (Agor Akorli) so say dem go escape ein tyrannical rule wey dem get idea say dem for create some holes for de mud wall wey e surround dema town. 

## De Festival
Traditionally dem dey celebrate de festival on de first Saturday in November every year, wey different ceremonies dey insyd. Dis ceremonies dey push peace making solutions wey all disputes are resolved through amicable solutions. Dem believe say de reason for de festival period of peacemaking be that dema ancestors lived in harmony with demma selve as dem dey escape Notsie den ebe dat thing wey make dema escape successful. Sam purification ceremony too dey for de ceremonial stools (where de Ewe people believe say de ancestors spirit dey insyd) through pouring of libations. Dis dey follow general cleaning all de villages insyd where dem go sweep den burn rubbish. De cleaning dey start at de Volta River den after some several days dem go end am for Mono River for Republic of Togo. De climax dey involve durbar of de chiefs den people of Anlo. De Chiefs dey dress in colorful regalia/kente wey dey receive homage from dema people of Anlo at de durbar grounds. Plenty dancing, singing den merry-making characterize de entire festival.

## Celebrations

### 2019
De 2019 Hogbetsotso Festival, some Important dignitaries plus two Ex-Presidents Jerry John Rawlings den John Dramani Mahama. Na de 2019 festival theme be “Uniting Anlo thru ein value for de benefits of ein citizens den de nation at large”.

### 2022
De 2022 festival marked de 60th anniversary celebration give de event. Na de theme give de celebration be “60 years of Anlo Hogbetsotso Za: Uniting for development, Sustaining our Unique Cultural Commonwealth for Future Generations.” Big men wey dey include Vice-Presido Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Kwahumanhene Daasebre Akuamoah Agyapong II, plus Ga Mantse King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II attend de durbar for Hogbe Park for Anloga insyd. 

## De Agbadza
De Agbadza originally be war dance wey dey imitate birds as dem dey fly formerly known as Atripkui, e be de traditional dance of de Anlo people wey dem dey perform am vigorously at de grand durbar of de Hogbetsotso festival. Ebe expression of joy give dema ancestors den gods. Dem dey perform Agbaza for parties, funerals den naming ceremonies. For this morning era anyone for any tribe fit perform de Agbaza dance. Anoda example for Ewe Dances be de Borborbor dance.

## References