Chargement en cours...Chargement en cours...Chargement en cours...Chargement en cours...Attending the Guin New Year ceremony
Epe-Ekpe is the most important ceremony of the Guin-Mina people. It is held each year in Glidji, generally between late August and early September. For three days, the community gathers to celebrate the passing of the year, consult the sacred Kpessosso stone, and renew the pact binding the living to the ancestors. Attending Epe-Ekpe is an unforgettable experience, provided you do so with respect and preparation. Here is everything you need to know.
Epe-Ekpe, literally 'the stone of the year', is the New Year ceremony of the Guin-Mina people. It commemorates the Guin migration from Accra in the 17th century and the founding of Glidji as a spiritual capital. The climax is the consultation of the Kpessosso sacred stone: a priest unveils the stone, and its color indicates omens for the coming year. If red, the year will be difficult; if white, the year will be prosperous. The ceremony also includes processions, dances, songs and offerings to divinities and ancestors.
The exact date is communicated two to three weeks in advance by the traditional authorities of Glidji. The main ceremony lasts three days, typically a Friday, Saturday and Sunday in late August or early September. Ceremonies begin early in the morning, often before sunrise. The most important moments take place on Saturday (procession and offerings) and Sunday (consultation of the stone). Check with our concierge for dates as soon as they are announced.
In Glidji, about 5 km north of Aneho. The ceremony takes place in several locations: the village's main sanctuary, the central public square, and the Be-Glidji sacred forest. Access to the inner sanctuary and certain forest areas is reserved for initiates and dignitaries. Outdoor celebrations — processions, dances, speeches — are open to the public. Spaces are provided for visitors, with designated areas to respect.
From Aneho, take a moto-taxi (10 minutes, 500 to 1,000 Fcfa) or a shared taxi. From Lome, allow 1.5 hours by private car or bush taxi. During the Epe-Ekpe period, traffic can be heavy around Glidji. Plan to arrive the day before so you don't miss the morning ceremonies, which start at dawn. Parking is limited: moto-taxis remain the most practical option for the last few kilometers.
Proper attire is required. Shoulders and knees must be covered, for both men and women. White is the preferred and recommended color — it is the color of the Guin sacred, of ceremonies and offerings. Many participants are dressed entirely in white. Avoid bright red and black, associated with certain divinities and potentially misinterpreted. Closed shoes are recommended as there is much walking and the terrain can be uneven. Flip-flops should be avoided out of respect for the solemn nature of the event.
Do not photograph priests, inner shrines or ceremonies without explicit permission. If you wish to take a photo, ask the guide or an organizer first. Do not speak loudly during ceremonies and speeches. Do not touch offerings placed on the ground — food, cloths, coins. Do not enter areas marked as restricted or reserved. Do not consume alcohol before or during ceremonies. Follow instructions from guides, guardians and elders.
Greet elders with a slight nod of the head. Bring a symbolic offering if you wish — a kola nut, a coin — and give it to a guide or elder who will know how to pass it on. Listen more than you speak. Observe more than you photograph. If invited to dance or participate, accept with simplicity. Epe-Ekpe is not a performance but a communion: by attending, you temporarily become a member of the extended community.
Glidji and Aneho accommodations fill up several weeks in advance. Book at least one month before the ceremony. Our concierge can help you find lodging and organize your complete stay: transfer from Lome, accommodation, accredited local guide for the ceremonies, meals. Bring cash in Fcfa: there is no ATM in Glidji, and card payments are rare. Bring water, a hat, sunscreen and insect repellent. Days are long and the sun can be strong.
Need help organizing your Epe-Ekpe visit? Our concierge handles everything: accommodation, transport, accredited guide. Contact us.