By Priscilla Adjei Ama (UniMAC-IJ, serwaaakoto802@gmail.com)
An alternative venue that brings performance, dance, music, design, and art onto the streets is the CHALE WOTE Street Art Festival. The yearly community-based festival that aim to foster exchanges between Ghanaian and foreign artists who create and appreciate arts together. It is held in James Town, one of Accra’s most historic areas.
Chale-Wote, a common term for flip flops, which also means ‘Man, let’s go! ‘ in Ga, was established by entrepreneurs Mantse Aryeequaye and Sionne Neely in July 2011, a year after they formed ACCRA(dot)ALT and now in partnership with the Accra Metropolitan Assembly and Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture.
However, the event usually takes place in the end of August and every festival edition has a unique theme that highlights the history of Ghanaian culture and, on a broader scale, the African diaspora, in addition to the festival’s varied style.
This Festival includes street painting, graffiti murals, photography, theatre, spoken word, interactive art installations, live street performances, extreme sports, film shows, a fashion parade, a music block party, recyclable design workshops and much more.
One unique feature during the days, they organise what they call, “The Day of Remembering”, a chalewote initiative by the Gas’ to remember the deeds and resilience of their ancestors. They revisit the history of the enslaved, many of whom were thrust into an unknowable and agonising destiny as they made their way through the streets of Jamestown to ship off the coast. This procession starts at the Brazil House and throughout some street of Accra.
All things considered, the Chale Wote Festival is for the people, so anyone with an interest in community, art, or culture should attend the Chale Wote Festival in 2024 and beyond. For guests of all ages, the festival provides an exceptional and unforgettable experience with its colourful street art installations, live acts, music and interactive workshops. So make sure you put the Chale Wote Festival this August and September 2024 on your calendars and join in on the celebration of art and culture!
