08/08/2026
“ALAKWA “— The Children’s Juju of the Harvest Season in Kedjom Ketinguh
There was a time when the harvest season in Kedjom Ketinguh was not simply about gathering crops. It was a season filled with excitement, tradition, culture, and communal celebration. Among the most fascinating traditions that added colour and life to the season was “Alakwa,” the children’s juju.
Alakwa traditionally came out on “Ajung,” the day before “Country Sunday”, usually under the cover of darkness. The masquerades were distinctively dressed in either dry and fresh plantain/banana leaves, creating an appearance that was both mysterious and fascinating to children and adults alike.
The Alakwa is organised according to separate quarters or zones, with each group operating within its recognised territorial boundaries and jurisdiction.
These boundaries were taken seriously. When a group crossed into another group’s territory without permission, it could sometimes result in confrontation or even a fight.
Although such incidents occasionally occurred, the primary purpose of Alakwa was to animate the harvest season and bring excitement to the community.
During their rounds, the masquerades would visit compound after compound within their designated quarter.
Families would welcome them and offer gifts, with fresh or dried maize being among the most common offerings.
The visits created an atmosphere of anticipation, laughter, excitement, and sometimes a little fear among the younger children.
Alakwa also had a traditional disciplinary dimension.
In those days, particularly stubborn children could sometimes be handed over to the masquerades as a way of whipping the stubbornness out of them.
For many children, the mere mention of Alakwa was enough to encourage good behaviour!
These traditions were more than entertainment. They were part of the cultural fabric of Kedjom Ketinguh, helping to connect children with their community, agricultural heritage, customs, and ancestral ways of celebrating the harvest.
The sounds, movements, costumes, visits, and excitement surrounding “Alakwa “helped make the holiday and harvest period something that children eagerly anticipated.
Sadly, the insecurity that has affected our community has disrupted many of these cherished traditions.
Our children and loved ones have been deprived of experiences that once formed an important part of growing up in Kedjom Ketinguh.
Some have grown up without witnessing the cultural practices that made the community’s harvest season so memorable.
“Alakwa “ remains more than a masquerade. It is a reminder of a vibrant cultural past—a time when harvest brought communities together, children looked forward to the night of Ajung, and the traditions of Kedjom Ketinguh made the holiday season truly special.
As we look toward the future, may peace return to our land so that our children can once again experience, understand, preserve, and proudly pass on the cultural heritage of Kedjom Ketinguh to generations yet unborn.
Wu Ntemefoin
VICHIE P.N.
