The props propelleth the performance: Prop elements in the celebration of Edina Bakatue festival

Abstract

The Edina Bakatue festival is one of the traditional festivals celebrated in Ghana by the people of Elmina in the Central Region. The celebration of this festival serves as an avenue for showcasing the rich cultural heritage of the people. For this celebration, props feature prominently. Although there is a plethora of studies on festivals in Ghana, there is a dearth of research on the significance of prop elements in traditional Ghanaian festivals. Engaging a qualitative approach to research, employing the purposive sampling technique to select twelve (12) participants, and relying on multiple data collection instruments (observation, interviews, and photographs), this study sought to explore the significance of prop elements in the celebration of the Edina Bakatue festival. Underpinned by performance theory, the findings of the study revealed that prop elements serve as status and power for the Paramount chief, for identity and commemoration, for the spiritual protection of chiefs and other traditional rulers, and finally for the display of culture. With a wealth of scholarly findings, the study recommends that prop elements used in the celebration of the festival be preserved for future generations. Ultimately, this study contributes to scholarship on prop elements within the Ghanaian cultural space.