Kumawu Officially Launches Papa Nantwie Festival 2026 to Honour Ancestral Bravery and Cultural Identity
The Kumawu Traditional Area has officially launched the Papa Nantwie Festival 2026, setting the stage for a rich celebration of ancestral bravery, unity, and cultural identity. The formal launch, held in Kumawu, brought together Nanahemaa, Nananom, distinguished guests, sons and daughters of the traditional area, and members of the media, all united by a shared sense of heritage and purpose.
Addressing the gathering and the media, Barima Sarfo Tweneboa Kodua, Paramount Chief of the Kumawu Traditional Area, expressed heartfelt gratitude to all present for honouring the invitation and supporting efforts to preserve Kumawu’s rich cultural legacy. He described the occasion as a significant moment of reflection and renewal for the people of Kumawu.
The launch marked the official commencement of activities for the Papa Nantwie Festival 2026, which is scheduled to take place from March 3 to March 22, 2026, with the grand climax set for March 15, 2026. The festival period was described as a sacred time dedicated to remembrance, reflection, and renewal.
The Papa Nantwie Festival 2026 will be celebrated under the theme “Bravery, Unity, and Identity: The Enduring Spirit of Our Ancestors.” According to the traditional leadership, the theme captures the very soul of the Kumawu Traditional Area. It reflects the courage, resilience, and collective strength with which the ancestors defended their land, preserved their customs, and shaped the identity that continues to define the people today.
The address emphasized that the unity demonstrated by the forebears remains the community’s greatest strength. Drawing on the wisdom of the elders, it was noted that while a single broomstick can easily be broken, a bundle bound together is difficult to snap. This enduring unity, the leadership stressed, has been the foundation of Kumawu’s survival, progress, and cultural continuity.
The Papa Nantwie Festival was described as more than a celebration, but a solemn tribute to the bravery, sacrifice, and unwavering spirit of the ancestors whose actions secured a proud heritage and a hopeful future for generations yet unborn. The festival serves as a reminder that courage is not found only on the battlefield, but also in integrity, leadership, cultural preservation, and collective responsibility in an ever-changing world.
Through the festival, the Kumawu Traditional Area seeks to honour ancestral heroism, reconnect the youth with their roots, strengthen bonds among indigenes both at home and abroad, promote peace and development, and instil a renewed sense of cultural pride among the people. The leadership cautioned that a people who forget their past risk losing their sense of direction, stressing that the Papa Nantwie Festival remains a vital call to remembrance and cultural consciousness.
The address further highlighted the importance of encouraging the youth to embrace their heritage while actively contributing to the development of the traditional area. In this way, the festival becomes not only a reflection of the past, but also a bridge to a stronger and more unified future.
All stakeholders, including Nananom, elders, youth groups, women’s associations, and residents of the entire Kumawu Traditional Area, were urged to support the festival wholeheartedly. The leadership called for a peaceful, dignified, and memorable celebration that truly honours the ancestors and preserves the sanctity of the occasion.
The launch concluded with a reaffirmation of shared values, expressing hope that bravery will continue to guide the people, unity will forever bind them together, and the proud identity of Kumawu will endure for generations to come.
