Focus on SOFATI Shrine

by Dale Massiasta

In recent times, KLIKOR (1) has been identified with refugees and the so-called TROKOSI system. There is certainly a REFUGEE CAMP for displaced Togolese and many shrines devoted to solemn worship, Indeed, in one hundred and forty-six years, Klikor has been a citadel for two groups of refugees. That's history.

HISTORY
The Klikors themselves have been refugees of some sort, having migrated from NOTSE. In the old ADELE country (now Togo), where there is still KLIKORME, their previous home. Modern historians put the date of this migration at 1720 (2) but other historical findings indicate that the Klikors have arrived in Ghana earlier. Incidentally , the site of their first major settlement on arrival is where the Refugee Camp is!

PEOPLE
The Klikors are a section of the EWE (3) group of the Negroid race of Africa now settled in the SOUTH-EASTERN tip of Ghana in the Ketu and Keta Districts of the Volta Region. They are farmers, fishermen, KETEH weavers and traders. Cassava and maize are the main cash and food crops cultivated. The fishermen do both lagoon and sea fishing.

CULTURE
The Klikors are a friendly and hospitable people with unique cultural beliefs and practices. Religious beliefs and practices especially are preserved in many esoteric shrines. The TOHONO SOFATI SHRINE (4), the subject of this focus, is just one among hundreds of sacred spots in Klikor.

SOFATI SHRINE
This Shrine is one of the oldest in Klikor Traditional Area. Among the YEWEH (thunder-god) shrines in the
locality, is the largest and, probably, the most well organized. It, therefore, offers researchers into African culture and tourists insights into the functions and organization of indigenous institutions.

ORIGINS
The SOFATI SHRINE was founded by TOGBUI SHITOR ADALEKU (5), a great Klikor mystic, some two hundred years ago. It houses the thunder-god, YEWEH (SO), a communal god of the Ewes. The Shrine itself presents a special feature of the structure and organization of ancient convents.

LOCATION & STRUCTURE
The SOFATI SHRINE is located in the western end of the older section of the Klikor township, covering some 4.000 square meters. The inner shrine contains five cone-shaped temples housing the sacred relics of the god. There are other buildings for immates under initiation and the resident priestess: MINAWO ALORWUSO ADALEKU (6).

ANNUAL FESTIVAL
There are many ceremonies and rituals associated with the SOFATI SHRINE, but the major one is the annual YEWEHNUWOW0 or offerings to the god. This starts on the last FRIDAY in OCTOBER of every YEAR (which falls on a KETA MARKET-DAY (7). This annual oblation is heralded by ritual drumming, singing, dancing, and outdooring the sacred relics of the god. The festival in which thousands of YEWEH initiates and the general public participate lasts for TWO WEEKS.

CULTURAL MUSEUM
Other features make the SOFATI SHRINE a cultural museum. It preserves especially some aspects of the past architectural culture of the Ewes. In it you find a model of household life in the past., For example, this CENTER is privileged to be the recipient of a partly broken earthen palm-oil lamp used in the Shrine nearly a hundred years ago. Earthen lamps, reminiscent of the ancient Ewe household, are still the source of lighting in the Shrine.

MYSTIC LANGUAGE
There is also this aspect of language. Two mystic languages known as YE WEHGBE and DAGBE (thunder-god and snake-god languages respectively) are spoken by inmates of the Shrine during initiation and other ritual sessions. These languages fascinate students of language development, Their similarity to the FON and MAHI dialects of ancient DAHOMEY (now Benin) provides a good ground for studies into the origins of the TOHONO cult so popular in the Republic of Benin.

ACCESS TO THE SHRINE
The SOFATI SHRINE is open to visitors who may call in for prayers, for information and for acquaintance with the functions of the Shrine. Visitors may be allowed to speak to novices under initiation (KPOKPOWO) through interpreters. The costume is strictly customary - no headgears and hats except for traditional priests and priestesses.Saturday is the most convenient day for prayers,but prayers are offerd daily.
Photographs and video picttures may be taken only on permission.
For further information,
contact
and / or
THE DIRECTOR
BLAKHUD RESEARCH CENTRE
P.O. BOX 1
KLIKOR, V/R
GHANA

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