The celebration of the University of Education, Winneba (UEW) Department of Ewe Week is one of the most significant annual events organized by the Department of Ewe under the Faculty of Ghanaian Languages Education. The celebration aims to promote the Ewe language and culture, preserve the rich traditions of the Ewe people, and encourage students to appreciate their cultural identity. It also serves as a platform for academic excellence, cultural education, entertainment, and social interaction among students, lecturers, alumni, traditional authorities, and members of the university community.
The Department of Ewe Week celebrates the importance of indigenous languages in national development and education. It provides an opportunity for students to demonstrate their knowledge of the Ewe language while showcasing the customs, values, history, and traditions of the Ewe people. Every year, the department selects a theme that addresses contemporary issues relating to language preservation, education, and cultural heritage.
Planning and Preparation
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Preparations for the Ewe Week celebration begin several weeks before the official opening. The departmental executives, lecturers, and student leaders form planning committees responsible for finance, publicity, protocol, decoration, entertainment, welfare, security, and logistics. These committees work together to ensure the programme is successful.
Students contribute through departmental dues and fundraising activities to finance the celebration. Information about the event is shared through posters, banners, social media platforms, and announcements during lectures. The campus is decorated with departmental colours and cultural symbols to create an atmosphere that reflects the traditions of the Ewe people.
Opening Ceremony
The celebration officially begins with an opening ceremony attended by university authorities, lecturers, students, invited guests, traditional leaders, and alumni. The programme starts with an opening prayer, followed by the singing of the national anthem and the university anthem.
The Head of the Department welcomes participants and explains the purpose of the celebration. A guest speaker, who may be an educationist, language expert, or traditional leader, delivers a keynote address on the selected theme. The speaker emphasizes the importance of preserving the Ewe language, promoting mother-tongue education, and using indigenous knowledge to support national development.
The opening ceremony also includes traditional drumming, dancing, poetry recitals, storytelling, and musical performances in the Ewe language. These performances entertain the audience while highlighting the beauty and uniqueness of Ewe culture.
Cultural Procession and Traditional Attire
One of the major attractions of the Ewe Week celebration is the colourful cultural procession. Students proudly dress in beautiful Ewe traditional attire, including woven cloth, beads, sandals, and other cultural accessories. They march through the university campus while singing traditional songs and dancing to the rhythm of cultural drums.
The procession demonstrates the pride students have in their cultural heritage and attracts admiration from the university community. Traditional leaders and invited guests often join the procession to encourage students to preserve their identity and customs.
A traditional attire competition is also organized during the week. Participants display different styles of authentic Ewe clothing, and judges assess them based on originality, confidence, cultural significance, and overall presentation. Outstanding contestants receive awards during the closing ceremony.
Academic Seminars and Public Lectures
Academic programmes form an essential part of the celebration. The department organizes seminars, workshops, and public lectures focusing on Ewe language education, literature, translation, linguistics, folklore, and cultural studies.
Experienced lecturers, researchers, writers, and cultural experts deliver presentations on topics related to indigenous language development, language policy, oral traditions, and the role of Ewe in national development. Students actively participate by asking questions and sharing ideas during discussions.
These academic activities strengthen students’ understanding of their programme and prepare them for careers as teachers, researchers, translators, broadcasters, and cultural ambassadors.
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Cultural Competitions
The Department of Ewe organizes several competitions to encourage students to participate actively throughout the celebration. These include spelling bees, poetry recitation, storytelling, debates, drama performances, quiz competitions, singing contests, and proverb interpretation, all conducted in the Ewe language.
The debate competition allows students to discuss important educational and social issues while improving their communication skills. Storytelling competitions preserve traditional folktales that teach moral values and historical lessons. Drama performances portray aspects of Ewe history, customs, festivals, and community life.
Quiz competitions test participants’ knowledge of the Ewe language, literature, history, proverbs, customs, and traditional leadership. These activities make learning enjoyable and promote confidence among students.
Food Bazaar and Cultural Exhibition
The food bazaar is one of the most exciting events during Ewe Week. Students prepare and sell a variety of traditional Ewe dishes, including akple with okra soup, yam and palava sauce, banku with pepper and fish, roasted corn, local vegetables, and other indigenous delicacies. Traditional beverages are also served to visitors.
Alongside the food bazaar, students organize cultural exhibitions displaying traditional artifacts such as drums, stools, baskets, beads, pottery, fishing equipment, farming tools, musical instruments, and woven fabrics. Students explain the historical and cultural significance of each item to visitors.
The exhibition educates participants about the lifestyle, occupations, beliefs, festivals, and artistic achievements of the Ewe people.
Games and Recreational Activities
Sports and recreational activities provide relaxation and entertainment during the celebration. Friendly football matches, volleyball, table tennis, athletics, tug-of-war, sack races, and traditional games are organized among different year groups and departments.
These sporting events promote teamwork, discipline, unity, and healthy competition among students. Winners receive trophies, medals, certificates, and other prizes during the closing ceremony.
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Health Screening and Community Service
The Department of Ewe often includes community service activities as part of the celebration. Students participate in environmental sanitation exercises, blood donation campaigns, educational outreach programmes, and health screening exercises in nearby communities.
Medical professionals provide free health services, including blood pressure checks, blood sugar testing, eye examinations, and health education. These activities demonstrate the department’s commitment to community development and social responsibility.
Cultural Night
The cultural night is the highlight of the Ewe Week celebration. Students, lecturers, alumni, and invited guests gather for an evening of traditional music, dance, drama, fashion, and entertainment.
Students perform famous Ewe dances such as Agbadza, Atsiagbekor, Gahu, and Bobobo, accompanied by traditional drumming and singing. Poetry, cultural drama, comedy, and fashion displays also form part of the programme.
The event creates an enjoyable atmosphere where participants celebrate the richness of Ewe culture while strengthening relationships among students and staff.
Awards and Closing Ceremony
The Ewe Week celebration concludes with a grand closing ceremony. During the programme, winners of the various competitions receive certificates, medals, trophies, and other prizes. Awards are also presented to hardworking students, supportive lecturers, sponsors, alumni, and organizing committee members.
The Departmental President delivers a speech expressing gratitude to university management, lecturers, students, sponsors, invited guests, and all who contributed to the success of the celebration. The Head of Department encourages students to continue promoting the Ewe language and culture beyond the university.
The programme ends with cultural performances, group photographs, networking, and expressions of appreciation from participants.
Importance of the Ewe Week Celebration
The Department of Ewe Week contributes significantly to the preservation and promotion of the Ewe language and cultural heritage. It strengthens students’ appreciation of their identity and encourages the use of indigenous languages in education and national development.
The celebration also develops students’ leadership, communication, teamwork, organizational, and creative skills. Through seminars, competitions, and cultural exhibitions, students gain practical knowledge that complements their academic studies.
Furthermore, the programme promotes unity among students from different cultural backgrounds, encouraging mutual respect and national integration. It also raises awareness about the importance of preserving Ghana’s indigenous languages for future generations.
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Conclusion
The University of Education, Winneba Department of Ewe Week is an important annual event that celebrates the language, culture, and traditions of the Ewe people. Through academic seminars, cultural displays, traditional performances, competitions, food exhibitions, sports, community service, and social activities, students develop a deeper appreciation for their heritage while acquiring valuable academic and leadership skills. The celebration promotes unity, cultural pride, and indigenous language education, making it an important tradition within the university community. As the department continues to organize this annual event, it contributes significantly to the preservation and promotion of Ghana’s rich cultural diversity and educational development.
