About this episode
As we started previously on the Akan calendar, we continue to delve into it deeply. Akan calendar is a traditional lunisolar calendar used by the Akan people of Ghana. It is based on the cycles of the moon and the sun, and consists of a 42-day week and a 12-month year. Structure: • Week: The Akan week consists of six 7-day weeks, plus a final week of 6 days. Each day of the week is named after a deity or concept: * Sunday: Kwasi (Sunday-born) * Monday: Kwadwo (Monday-born) * Tuesday: Kwabena (Tuesday-born) * Wednesday: Akua (Wednesday-born) * Thursday: Yawo (Thursday-born) * Friday: Kofi (Friday-born) * Saturday: Kwame (Saturday-born) • Month: The Akan year consists of 12 months, each with 30 or 31 days. The months are named after Akan festivals or seasonal events: * JANUARY OPEPON FEBRUARY OGYEFO MARCH OBENNEM APRIL OFORISUO MAY KOTONIMA JUNE AYEWOHOMOMMO JULY KITAWONSA AUGUST OSANNA SEPTEMBER EBO OCTOBER AHINIME NOVEMBER OBUBUO DECEMBER OPENIMA Lunar and Solar Cycles: • The Akan calendar is based on the lunar cycle, with each month beginning on the day of the new moon. • Every three years, an additional month (Nkabɔ) is added to the calendar to align it with the solar year. This intercalary month is inserted between Ɔpεpɔn and Nsɔn. Cultural Significance: The Akan calendar is deeply embedded in Akan culture and is used for various purposes, including: • Scheduling festivals and rituals • Determining auspicious days for events such as weddings and funerals • Predicting agricultural seasons and weather patterns • Naming children based on the day of the week they are born Current Use: Today on time with Koo Ntakra we will deeply teach the Akan calendar and how Akwasidae is being celebrated. The Akan calendar continues to be used by many Akan communities, particularly in rural areas. However, the Gregorian calendar is also widely used in Ghana and other parts of West Africa.
Listen on
