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The Ewe (Eʋeawó
"Ewe people", Eʋedukɔ́
"Ewe nation" are a people located in the
southeast corner of Ghana, east of the Volta
River, in an area now described as the Volta
Region, in southern Togo and western Benin. They
speak the Ewe language (Eʋegbe),
and are related to other speakers of Gbe
languages such as the Fon and the Aja of Togo
and Benin.
Description and culture.The
Ewe are essentially a patrilineal people; the
founder of a community was the established
chief, and was then usually succeeded by his
paternal relatives. The Ewe is divided
geographically between Ghana (Volta Region), its
eastern neighbor, Togo (southern) and the
western part of Benin (formerly Dahomey). This
area was colonized by the Germans and was
originally called Togoland. After the German
defeat in World War I, the Ewe homeland was
split between France and England. Most Ewes can
trace male ancestors to their original villages
and make their territorial divisions along those
lines. Extended families are the most important
units of Ewe social life. Ewe has never
supported a hierarchical concentration of power
within a large state.
Ewe kente clothing modern
times, chiefs are generally elected by consensus
and get advice from elders. There are a number
of guidelines regarding the behavior of chiefs.
They are expected to keep their heads covered in
public, and are not to be seen drinking. The
people see the chief as the communicator between
the everyday world and the world of the
ancestors. The chief must always keep a clear
mind. Traditionally, chiefs are also not to see
the face of a corpse. They may take part in the
funeral, however, once the corpse is buried or
inside the coffin. They are not to have any
contact with the corpse.
Traditionally, chiefs sit
on a black stool. A white stool is reserved for
'honorary' chiefs. These are auspicious
individuals who have been made a 'chief' as
recognition for their contribution to a village.
Certain rituals cannot be performed by an
honorary chief, and must be attended by the true
chief.
The pouring of libations is an
important ritual within Ewe society. Generally,
only chiefs can pour libations, but sometimes,
at a durbar, a linguist performs the role.
Libations are poured three times, in honor of
ancestors, life, and the libation's offered
himself.
The Ewe like neighboring Akan tribes wears Kenta
as their traditional cloth. The style of wearing
Kenta is similar to Akans like the Ashantis and
Akyem. The Ewe has a long history of weaving 'Kete'
cloth, especially in Kpetoe (a town in the Volta
region of Ghana). In the Ashanti wars against
the Ewe, Ewe
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