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ABOUT US

Historical Antecedents of the Establishment of Avenor State.

Tradition has it that the Avenor people lived in a town by the name Avenor Ketukpe, a suburb of Ketu in the lower Niger area, the original home of all Ewe-speaking people. The Avenor like other Ewe groups moved from Avenor Ketukpe to Notsie due to incessant conflicts with their enemies (mostly like the Yorubas) The headman or leader of the Avenors at Ketukpe was Togbe Agbohlo whose son Anumah led the Avenors to Notsie.

On leaving Notsie, the Avenors under their leader Anumah, moved very closely with the Agus,with whom they found their first settlement at Avenor-Agu Volui near present Kpalime in the Republic of Togo. Their next settlement was at Anyirawase Awudome. Tribal frictions made them move to Fodzoku from where they later crossed the Volta to Kroboland, founding a settlement at Kpong. They became known as Avenor Krobos. This is still sung in songs and the Avenors still have descendants in Kroboland. Frequent clashes with the Akwamus made the Avenors to leave to continue their wandering. From Kroboland there was a general dispersion. One group defected to found a settlement by the Gas at a place now called Avenor close to the Police Training Depot in Accra. The larger group led by Togbui Anumah made settlement at Tefle Avenorkpo in Fieve land. Avenorkpo still stands.

The group that sojourned in Accra had to flee from Accra to look for the larger group at a time when Ofori, the King of Accra and his people also fled from the Akwamus to LittlePopo (about 1682). Quarrel over farmland and fishing zones with the Tefles made the Avenors to cross the Volta to found a settlement at Yorta, later called Detsowome near Dabala. At Yorta, a male child without one arm and an eye was born to one Ku of the chiefly (royal)family. The incident was an ill omen. Then there arose the saying “Detsagbawor” a typical Avenor word meaning, what strange thing has befallen us.

Detsagbawor is now Detsawame. By then the Accra group had caught up with the group led by Anumah. Trekking resumed and the Avenors found a new home at Adume near present Avenorpedo (Avenor’s deserted home). Here, Togbui Anumah went to farm to be succeeded by his son Atsu Fi-adzea. Anumah’s grave has been marked by an uncultivated grove, now still standing at Ad-ume-Avenorpedo.

The Tefles had not forgiven the Avenor for the encounters they had at Teflekpo and took to kidnapping Avenor women when the opportunity occurred. At Adume, the nearest source of water was at Lotor, a distance of four miles away. Whenever Avenor women went to fetch water the Tefles would lay ambush to them and either kill or kidnap them, so the place become known as Lo-tor-Latsi meaning “you will come but not return”. This situation forced the Avenors under their leader Atsu Fiadzea to move away to a place called Korvenu (t At Korvenu the Avenors in alliance with the Adas fought the Anlo in 1750 and 1767. In 1775, the Avenors again fought the Anlos in what is called the Korvenu War or Anyamakpa war. The scene of war is called Ametawito meaning the “pit of skull”.The Avenors had to abandon their settlement to found a new home at Agbiveme also Afeyeme (new abode).Here Atsu Fiadzea died and was succeeded by his son Adoe under whom the Avenors made their per-manent home at Avenorpeme about 1776. From the settlement at Avenorpeme,new settlements were founded by hunters and adventurers emanating from the thirteen clans of Avenor. (the grove that protects).

The Significance of the Avenor Tutudoza Festival.

We believe that the Tutudoza festival will foster community development and unity in several impactful ways:

Strengthening Social Bonds

Providing a platform for people from different backgrounds, ages, and walks of life in Avenor State to come together, celebrate, and share common experiences. This sense of togetherness will enhance community relationships, create a shared identity and foster a sense of belonging.

Promoting Cultural Preservation and Pride

The occasion is a celebration of the history, values, and customs of a Avenor State. By showcasing local arts, crafts, music, and dance, they keep cultural practices alive, instilling pride in the community’s heritage. This preservation of culture strengthens unity, as it highlights what the Avenor community stands for and offers to the world.

Boosting the Local Economy

The Tutudoza festival over since its establishment, attract visitors and boost local businesses through tourism, hospitality, and event-related spending. This economic uplift directly benefits the community, helping fund infrastructure improvements and services that support local development. The ripple effect of economic growth can create jobs and encourage entrepreneurship.

Encouraging Cooperation and Volunteerism

Organizing a festival often requires collaboration among community members, local authorities, and businesses. This shared effort promotes teamwork, trust, and a collective sense of ownership over the event’s success. It also encourages volunteerism, with community members contributing their time and skills to the betterment of the community.

Inspiring Innovation and Creativity

Community festival such as ours offer opportunities for individuals to express creativity and introduce innovative ideas in arts, food, performances, and activities. These platforms foster cultural exchange and dialogue, driving new ideas that can contribute to societal development, whether through new businesses, art forms, or collaborative projects.

Supporting Social Integration

Givin that the Avenor communities are many and even diverse, the celebration of the festival provides an inclusive space where different clans are celebrated, helping break down divisional barriers. This unity helps promote a shared sense of identity and harmony, which is crucial for peaceful coexistence and long-term community development.

Profile of Avenor State.

The Avenor traditional area is located in the South Eastern part of the Volta Region of Ghana. With a total population of approximately 92,494 made up of 43,062 males and 49,432 females, its traditional capital and seat are Avenorpeme and Akatsi. The administrative capital of Avenor is Akatsi, which is also the biggest commercial hub in the traditional area. Administratively, the people of Avenor can be found in two districts namely, Akatsi South District which is Avenor State and Akatsi North District, which the Avenors share with their neighbours to the North, the Aves.

The Traditional State is bordered to the South by the Anlo, on the East by the Somes (Ketu), to the West by the Tongus and Agaves (North and South Tongus districts) and to the North by the Aves (Akatsi North district). It is worthy to note that, traditionally, Avenor boundaries extend beyond the geo-political demarcations to the extent that we share boundaries with Adaklu Traditional Area, with specific reference to the land of the chiefs of Tetemale and Moryi border in the Agortime-Ziope District.

The strategic geographical location, land area vegetation, road network, proximity, low levels of crime rate and population amongst other key socio-cultural and ecological factors of the area gives it high level, cutting-edge advantages in boosting trade and ensuring low investments risks with high returns on investment, for existing and potential investors and settlement. The traditional area has a number of key educational establishments namely, Akatsi, College of Education and Akatsi Senior High and Technical School, and others

Presently, there exist major opportunities for investment in Agriculture and Agribusiness, manufacturing and product-oriented businesses, tourism and hotel sectors and in the establishment of educational institutions such as schools and vocational training centres. The State is richly endowed with tourist attraction sites like the Avu Lagoon eco-tourism site, the Xavi Bird and wildlife sanctuary and an annual festival that showcases the rich cultural heritage of the Avenor State. The Tutudoza festival specifically, has the potential of generating international interest and participation of Africans in the diaspora and the international community in general.

Avenor is strategically positioned and is just about forty-five (45) minute drive to Aflao which is the closest border town between Ghana -Togo and to Benin, Nigeria and beyond. Avenor is the most rapidly developing urban centre in the whole of Volta Region. Most traders in the neighbouring countries (Togo and Benin) come to trade in Avenor.

Beyond having the potential to serve as a hub for business and economic success, we are optimistic, that with a forward vision, strategic planning and a collective action, Avenor land can become a unique traditional state that can provide conducive living conditions for its people. We aim to do this by leveraging on our traditions and cultural legacy to harness the human resource potentials, skills and capabilities to transform Avenor into a progressive and developed state for future generations. To achieve this, we purpose to set up a multi-purpose Palace, Cultural and Traditional Centre. The facility will be a multi-purpose, multi-functional edifice that will serve as the seat of culture and tradition of Avenor.

APPELLATION OF AVENOR

Aveno Kuku Akama,
Avens Fiegbe Fie,
Asiakliviwo,
Fiegbe Agomeawo,
Asia Kitika Avemegbea To nu o,
To Dzə gbe Ave Dzo

THE ENGLISH VERSION

“All Avenors,
young and Old,
Men and Women.
come All the Military Wings – Center,
Right and Left The Thirteen Clans of Avenor.
All and Sundry – Come,
The river and Forest are Bed Fellows,
The Forest and River began The Same Day.

AVENOR DUKOME HA ÕAVENOR ANTHEME

Kpɔ mia Denyigba kple edzinɔlawofe kutri kuku Efe Fiawo kple wofe dumeviwo kata, Anyigba la fe nyonyo, To sisi kple Ave tsuwo, Lənyife damawo De gbefa Denyigba la na Dukowo kata, Fiegbe Agomeawo, Asiakliviwo, Asia Kitika, Ave megbea to nu o Eyata Dadavi Lələ Anukwade kple Nutifafa so nenɔ mia dome.

2024 Avenor Tutudoza

Below you'll find the schedule for Avenor Tutudoza 2024. We'll keep this page regularly updated with all new speakers and sessions, so be sure to keep checking in!