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The Dipo puberty rite is a tradition that carries a symbolic significance. 


It is part of the heritage of the Krobo(s).


Dipo is a puberty right of passage. This ceremony is an initiation into womanhood. It is believed to help reinforcing cultural values, identity and also help curb premarital sex in young adults. The ceremony gives a sense of  "completeness" Krobo and reaffirms the sense of belonging to the Krobos.


There are a lot of processes the initiates go through but the final step, is very crucial - The girls are adorned with finest beads from their families, some beads are passed on from generations to generations.

They are then marched towards a sacred stone in the forest which the girls are made to sit on  seven

times. 


It is believed that the stone is strongly connected with notions of the girl’s fertility, if a girl is pregnant or has had sex before, the deity (stone) will expose her by making her stuck on the stone.


This explains why some parents bring their girls at a younger age. Due to societal change and

assimilation  of foreign cultures , some girls get sexually active at a very early age. 


So for the families to prevent embarrassment, they bring their girls way before they became sexually active.

After the initiation, families and people from the town come to celebrate the girls. They make merry, dance, sing and celebrate their passage. Back in the day, this is the time potential male suitors come around to "select" who they want to marry.


Dipo is still under increasing pressure from modernisation especially the churches and schools.

Dipo in Ghana.

Part of a palm tree burnt to ward off evil spirits

Dipo is a passage rite in Ghana observed by the Krobos.

As part of the initiation process, the girls are fed with special kinds of meal. It is to fortify them and also has its cultural and traditional meanings.

Dipo is a passage rite in Ghana observed by the Krobos.

Girls en route to the riverside to take a bath.

Dipo is a passage rite in Ghana observed by the Krobos.

A family member carries one of the initiates after her visit to the sacred stone.

Dipo is a passage rite in Ghana observed by the Krobos.

A family member carries one of the initiates after her visit to the sacred stone. 

Dipo is a passage rite in Ghana observed by the Krobos.

Parents and other family members dancing and celebrating the girls for going through the process. 

Dipo is a passage rite in Ghana observed by the Krobos.

Parents and other family members dancing and celebrating the girls for going through the process.

Dipo is a passage rite in Ghana observed by the Krobos.

Parents and other family members dancing and celebrating the girls for going through the process.

Dipo is a passage rite in Ghana observed by the Krobos.

The girls are adorned with beautiful beads from family members. Mostly weighing between 10-15kg.

Dipo is a passage rite in Ghana observed by the Krobos.

The girls are adorned with beautiful beads from family members. Mostly weighing between 10-15kg. 

Copyright © Seun Adatsi 2019.
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