Bakatue Festval

The Bakatue Festival, celebrated by the people of Elmina in Ghana's Central Region, is a vibrant annual event marking the opening of the Benya Lagoon for fishing. Held in the first week of July, the festival's name "Bakatue" means "draining of the lagoon," symbolizing the community's relationship with the sea and their reliance on fishing. Dating back to the 19th century, Bakatue has historical roots in honoring the lagoon's deity, Nana Benya, and thanking the gods for bountiful catches. The festival includes a colorful procession of chiefs in traditional regalia, drumming, dancing, and canoe races on the lagoon. Special customs involve the pouring of libations and casting nets into the lagoon to signify the start of the fishing season. A key highlight is the preparation of "Etew," a special dish made from steamed cornmeal and palm soup, symbolizing communal unity and the celebration of the sea's gifts.