The 49th Somètutuza celebrations in the Somè Traditional Area took a unique turn this year, as basic school pupils in the Somè Fugo circuits of the Ketu South Municipality combined cultural displays with a strong appeal for improved educational infrastructure.
Held at the Denu Chicago Basic School Park, the event brought together eight schools — including Agavedzi, Adina No. 1 and No. 2, Adafienu R/C, Adafienu E.P, Tettekope, Denu R/C, and the host school — for a colourful curtain-raiser ahead of the grand durbar scheduled for September 27 at Agbozume.
The children, adorned in kente and beads, thrilled the gathering with drumming, poetry recitals, dramas, and traditional dances that showcased the richness of Ewe culture. Organisers described the festival as a key platform for transferring cultural knowledge from the elders to the next generation.
“Children’s festival, which comes before the main Somètutuza, is specially designed to teach the younger generation the culture of the Somè Traditional Area so they can replicate and preserve it,” explained Torgbui Geli, Chairman of the Festival Central Planning Committee.
Chairperson of the ceremony, Madam Martha Nukegbe, reminded the youth that culture is a people’s identity and urged them to remain proud of their roots. “The Somètutuza reflects the efforts of our forefathers. We must pass this heritage on to the younger ones so they can carry it forward,” she said.
But amid the cultural displays, educational concerns also came to the fore. Mr. Prosper Mensah, Headteacher of Denu Chicago Basic School, appealed for urgent support to complete a three-unit classroom block left unfinished for more than five years due to financial constraints.
He warned that overcrowding in classrooms was affecting teaching and learning, calling on government, philanthropists, and corporate bodies to step in.
The Somètutuza, first celebrated in 1976 under the late Torgbui Hotor II, has grown into a two-week cultural festival that blends tradition with community engagement. This year’s students’ durbar highlighted not only the richness of Somè heritage but also the pressing need to balance cultural pride with investment in education.
