VENERATION

Essay 610 • Nov 16th 2025

Every second week in October, the annual ancestral veneration is held at Nkyinkyim Museum located in Nuhalenya – Ada, Ghana. The ceremony is supported by The Royal Adibiawe Clan of the Ada Traditional Area. It is dedicated to un-demonized African Traditional Practices and also brings locals and Africans from the diaspora to reconnect after centuries away from their ancestral roots, to reflect and heal historical wounds.

Wrapped in white cloth called in the Dangme dialect “Klala” and a pilgrimage to the sacred grounds with drumming, chanting and dancing filled the atmosphere and the powerful whirling Zangbetor masquerades guiding their way, the priests offered prayers to our ancestors and that of our brothers and sisters from the diaspora by pouring libation.










 

Agbongua J. Kwadwo Buenortey [12/06/1995], is a documentary photographer from Ada, but his time is divided between Accra and Ada in the Greater Region of Ghana. Deeply connected to his root, his works focuses on showcasing the resilience of African Traditional practices in the face of modernization, memory, Climate change and environment.

Buenortey was part of the 2024-2025 cohort in Photo Journalism and Documentary at Dikan Center in Accra, Ghana. He took part in various groups exhibitions held Nuku Studios in Tamale, RedClay als

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