HISTORY
Japekrom is a town in Ghana’s Bono Region’s Jaman South Municipality. It has been a significant town since the colonial Gold Coast era in Ghana’s history. At the time, it was known as Pruano (on the riverside of the Pru-river), but colonial Gold Coast maps used Pulliano’s spelling. The original settlers on the riverbank of Pru (Pruano) prospected for gold and other minerals along the banks of river Pru. Two major rivers in the Japekrom city are Pru and Papasu.
The people originally migrated, under the leadership of Nana Takyi Payin, from Akwamu Awanwenso and belong to the Aduana Clan. They first settled at Esumegya, Asantemanso, Suntreso, Abanpreduase, Bomaa, Fetentaa and finally at Mpuasu, from where new settlements were established.
The traditional capital and seat of the Omanhene is Japekrom, which is located at the centre of the traditional area.
Traditional leaders of the Japekrom Community strongly uphold the principles of truth, fairness, hard work, a welcoming heart, inclusion and preservation of culture. The people of Japekrom are very welcoming of people from other tribes and cultures.
MUNUFIE FESTIVAL
The Mpuasu-Japekrom Traditional Area’s chiefs and residents are well recognized for hosting the yearly Munufie Festival (annual yam harvest festival). Chiefs, queen mothers, dignitaries, and many other people (both in Ghana and overseas) attend this celebration, which is typically held in Japekrom in the last quarter of each year, to take part in and witness the events. This year’s event is scheduled to take place from the 23rd to 30th of October and the Theme for this year’s festival is “ADAPTING CULTURE TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENTAL PRACTICES”
It is celebrated to mark the close of the farming season and to set the tone for the commencement of the yet another farming season. It is the major festival of the Mpuasu-Japekrom Traditional Area.
This year’s Munufie Festival Aims to;
- Promote sustainable farming practices.
- Sensitize the youth on Ghanaian cultural heritage and identity.
- Promote peaceful co-existence and communal engagement for development.
- Promote Sustainable Agricultural practices to safeguard the environment.
- Provide advocacy that discourages the practice of illegal mining known as Galamsey
The weeklong celebration will be climaxed by a Grand Durbar to portray the cultural traditions and pageantry of the Mpuasu-Japekrom people on Saturday 29th October 2022 at 9am. The ceremonies will end with an Inter-Denominational Thanksgiving Service on 30th October, 2022.
In attendance will be the Vice-President of the Republic of Ghana Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the Bono Regional Minister Hon. Justina Owusu Banahene, the Paramount Chiefs of the Aduana Clan and native Bono people (both Ghana and Cote D’ Ivoire) and other high-profile dignitaries to grace the celebration of the traditional history of the Gyaman people.
The Program outline for the event is as follows;
Sunday, 23rd October 2022
- Communal Clean-up Exercise (Cemetery) & in other towns
- Football Match Mpuasuman vs. Berekum Chelsea
- Sponsors’ Visibility Day bonfire
Monday, 24th October 2022
- Clean-up Exercise
- Symposium on theme “sustainable farming the future of our people.”
- Candlelight Procession
- Bonfire Night (400yrs March)
Tuesday, 25th October 2022
- Inter-Schools Quiz from 08:00-17:00
- Green day (tree planting activities in all schools & public space)
- Family/Diaspora (Town Hall Meetings)
Wednesday, 26th October 2022
- Clean-up Exercise (Cemetery): 05:00 – 09:00
- Symposium “sustainable education the role of the community” (meeting of Heads, Nananom, PTAs CSO, NGO, GES, Old Students’, Educationist etc.)
- General Medical Review
- Denkyenhoro rituals
- Street Jams
Thursday, 27th October 2022
- Marathon Run
- Homecoming of Citizens Abroad: Diaspora Engagement
- Presentation of ‘Kukua” by the Public (Gift Presentation to Nananom)
- Noodles party for school children
- Kwaayawoda rituals
- Royal dance & Historical Night (Storytelling of the Journey of Mpuasuman)
Friday, 28th October 2022
- Cultural Factory: Drumming, Dancing & Firing of Musketries
- Munufie Festival Rituals
- Journey to the Ancestral Home
- Oldies & Sponsors Highlife liveband Night
Saturday, 29th October 2022
- Grand Durbar of Chiefs & People
- Rendition of the Rich Culture of Mpuasu-Japekrom
- Youth & Sponsors Night: (artist night Kinaata, kidi, Eugene) Musical Concert
Sunday, 30th October 2022
- Durbar of Chiefs & People – Aseda
- Inter-Denominational Thanksgiving Service
- Sponsors Appreciation Day