WHAT UNIQUE THING DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THE EWES,

The Ewes 

The Ewe occupy southeastern Ghana and the southern parts of neighboring Togo and Benin. On the west, the Volta separates the Ewe from the Ga-Adangbe, Ga, and Akan. Subdivisions of the Ewe include the Anglo (Anlo), Bey (Be), and Gen on the coast, and the Peki, Ho, Kpando, Tori, and Ave in the interior. Oral tradition suggests that the Ewe immigrated into Ghana before the midfifteenth century. Although the Ewe have been described as a single language group, there is considerable dialectic variation. Some of these dialects are mutually intelligible, but only with difficulty.

Unlike the political and social organization of the Akan, where matrilineal rule prevails, the Ewe are essentially a patrilineal people. The founder of a community became the chief and was usually succeeded by his paternal relatives. The largest independent political unit was a chiefdom, the head of which was essentially a ceremonial figure who was assisted by a council of elders.

 Chiefdoms ranged in population from a few hundred people in one or two villages to several thousand in a chiefdom with a large number of villages and surrounding countryside. Unlike the Asante among the Akan, no Ewe chiefdom gained hegemonic power over its neighbor. The rise of Ewe nationalism in both Ghana and Togo was more of a reaction to the May 1956 plebiscite that partitioned Eweland between the Gold Coast and Togo than to any sense of overriding ethnic unity.

 Most Ewes were farmers who kept some livestock, and there was some craft specialization. On the coast and immediately inland, fishing was important, and local variations in economic activities permitted a great deal of trade between one community and another, carried out chiefly by women. 

That’s a rich overview of the Ewe people! One thing worth highlighting is their mastery of weaving, especially in creating Kente cloth. While Kente is often associated with the Ashanti, the Ewe have their own distinct weaving tradition. Ewe Kente is renowned for its intricate designs and storytelling patterns, where each color and motif carries symbolic meaning. Unlike Ashanti Kente, which follows more rigid patterns, Ewe weavers enjoy greater artistic freedom, often weaving personal or historical narratives into the fabric.

What unique thing do you know about the Ewes, kindly share(culture, food, dance)

One unique aspect of Ewe culture is their vibrant and expressive drumming and dance traditions, particularly the Agbadza dance. Agbadza is performed during social gatherings, festivals, and funerals, and it has deep spiritual and historical significance. The dance movements are energetic, involving rhythmic footwork, arm gestures, and coordinated body movements, all in sync with the complex drum patterns.

Another fascinating tradition is the Yewe cult, a spiritual practice centered around thunder and lightning deities, which plays a significant role in the spiritual life of some Ewe communities. Initiates undergo special rites and learn sacred songs, dances, and drumming patterns associated with the cult.

In terms of food, a well-known Ewe dish is Akple with Fetri Detsi — Akple is a smooth, starchy dish made from corn or cassava dough, often paired with Fetri Detsi, a flavorful okra soup. This combination is a staple in many Ewe households.

Let  dive deeper into their storytelling traditions and  explore their unique symbols and proverbs? 

Let’s dive into the storytelling traditions and unique symbols/proverbs of the Ewe people — they’re incredibly rich and insightful!

Storytelling Traditions:

Ewe storytelling is more than just entertainment; it’s a means of preserving history, teaching morals, and strengthening community bonds. Stories are often passed down orally through Ananse tales (folk stories centered around the trickster spider, Ananse) and other narratives that explain the origins of the Ewe people, nature, or spiritual beliefs.

One captivating tradition is the use of drum language. Drummers can "speak" through rhythms, conveying proverbs or messages in storytelling sessions. The audience listens not just to the words but to the beats, responding with dances or chants.

Another storytelling medium is call-and-response songs. These songs often accompany communal activities and serve to pass on wisdom, celebrate milestones, or warn of dangers. The elders — seen as the keepers of wisdom — lead the storytelling, ensuring that history and values are passed down across generations.

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Unique Symbols and Proverbs:

Ewe symbols often appear in Kente weaving, pottery, and wood carvings, representing unity, strength, and spiritual beliefs. Some unique proverbs carry deep meanings. Here are a few:

• “Nunya, adidoe, asi metunee o.”
  “Knowledge is like a baobab tree; no one person can embrace it.”
  — This teaches humility and the importance of collective wisdom.

  “Knowledge is like a baobab tree; no one person can embrace it.”

  This beautiful Ewe proverb highlights the idea that wisdom and knowledge are vast — far too large for any single person to fully grasp alone. It teaches humility and emphasizes the importance of community learning and shared wisdom. Just as it takes many hands to encircle a massive baobab tree, understanding life and its complexities requires contributions from different perspectives.

  It’s a gentle reminder that no matter how much we know, there is always more to learn from others. 

Let’s dive a bit deeper into the meaning of “Tɔmedela vevie na ame sia ame” in storytelling and daily life!

In Ewe communities, storytelling is often used to reinforce this proverb’s lesson. For example, there’s a popular tale of a father and his sons:

The father, worried about his sons constantly quarreling, gathered them one day. He gave each son a single stick and asked them to break it — they easily snapped the sticks. Then, he bundled several sticks together and asked them to break the bundle. No matter how hard they tried, they couldn’t break it. The father then said, “Alone, you are weak like a single stick. Together, you are as strong as this bundle.” This echoes the lesson of the proverb: unity creates strength.

In daily life, the proverb serves as a reminder that success often relies on collaboration and mutual support. During communal farming, for instance, Ewe communities practice “nnɔtsie” — a system where neighbors take turns helping one another work on their farms. The belief is that shared labor reduces individual burden and strengthens community bonds.

It also applies to family life: raising children is seen as the responsibility of not just parents but the entire community. Whether it’s guiding the youth, celebrating milestones, or offering support during hardships, the Ewe understand that life’s challenges are best faced together.

• “Tɔmedela vevie na ame sia ame.”

  “A rope is only strong when many strands are woven together.”

  This Ewe proverb beautifully emphasizes the power of unity and cooperation. Just as a rope’s strength comes from intertwining multiple strands, a community or group thrives when its members support one another. It teaches that individual efforts, while valuable, become far more effective when combined with others.

  In daily life, this proverb encourages teamwork, solidarity, and mutual support, whether in family, work, or community settings. It also reflects the Ewe people’s communal values, where everyone has a role to play, and collective effort ensures survival and progress.

  
  

 Here’s a story that beautifully reflects the wisdom behind “Tɔmedela vevie na ame sia ame” — the idea that unity creates strength:

The Story of the Hunter and the Birds

Once upon a time, in an Ewe village, there was a cunning hunter who loved catching birds. Every day, he set traps in the forest, using grains to lure the birds. The birds, eager to feast, would land on the traps and get caught. One by one, they were taken away, never to return.

One day, an old, wise bird gathered the others and said,
“We are many, yet the hunter takes us one by one because we act alone. If we work together, we can escape his trap.”

The next morning, as the hunter laid his trap, a large group of birds landed on the grains. As soon as they felt the trap tighten, the wise bird shouted,
“Fly! Fly together!”

With all their strength, the birds flapped their wings in unison, lifting the trap into the sky. The hunter watched in shock as the birds carried the trap far away, where they landed safely and freed themselves. From that day forward, no hunter could ever catch them again — for they had learned the power of unity.

The village elders shared this story to teach that strength lies in togetherness. Alone, each bird was weak, but together, they overcame even the most cunning of traps.

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This story is often told to encourage community cooperation and remind people that no matter how tough the challenge, it becomes lighter when shoulders carry the load together.

• “A rope is only strong when many strands are woven together.”
  — A reminder of the power of unity and community.“

• Tɔmedela vevie na ame sia ame.”

• “Tɔmedela vevie na ame sia ame.”
  “A rope is only strong when many strands are woven together.”

  This Ewe proverb highlights the power of unity and collaboration. Just as a rope gets its strength from multiple strands tightly woven together, people become stronger when they work as a team, supporting one another.

  In Ewe communities, this wisdom is reflected in everyday life through practices like communal farming (nnɔtsie), where neighbors come together to help each other on their farms. It’s also seen during festivals and ceremonies, where various clans contribute different roles — some drum, some dance, some cook — creating a harmonious celebration that no single person could achieve alone.

  The proverb teaches that cooperation leads to resilience and that individuals, no matter how talented, can only achieve so much alone. True strength lies in togetherness.

  
  

• “Agbalẽ xɔ sia xɔ o.”
  “The drum does not beat itself.”
  — Emphasizes cooperation and the need for everyone to play their part in society.

“Agbalẽ xɔ sia xɔ o.”
“The drum does not beat itself.”

This Ewe proverb teaches the value of effort, responsibility, and collaboration. A drum, no matter how beautifully crafted, cannot produce sound on its own — it needs a drummer. Similarly, success or progress doesn’t happen by chance; it requires action and participation.

In daily life, this proverb reminds people that everyone has a role to play. Whether in farming, family, or community leadership, things only move forward when people take initiative. It also emphasizes the importance of teamwork — just as a drummer and dancers rely on each other for a performance, people achieve more when they work together.