The second edition of the National Borborbor Championship, which ended Saturday, brought the city of Ho to life, as thousands of spectators thronged the streets to witness nine hours of non-stop music, dance and cultural display to mark the 2025 Asogli Te Zã.
The carnival blocked some of Ho’s main streets, which was turned into a grand performance space filled with rhythm, colour and movement.
In total, 12 groups from across the Volta Region and beyond took part in the keenly contested championship.
Organisers said the initiative is designed to preserve the Ewe cultural heritage while infusing youthful energy into the traditional borborbor dance, which remains one of the most popular expressions of identity in Volta.
Madam Pearl Emefa Kpekata, a member of the organising committee, said the contest was conceived to add glamour to the Asogli Te Zã.
“Borborbor is the heartbeat of our music and dance. This championship allows us to showcase talent while keeping our culture alive,” she explained.
Communities represented in the contest included Adaklu, Matse, Saviefe, Dzemeni, Ho, Kpoeta, Accra, Agotime Ziope, Lashibi and Tsito Anyirawase. Each group brought its own style, drawing loud cheers from the excited crowds.
Performers wore brightly coloured cloths, beads and headgear as they moved in synchrony to the pulsating rhythm of the borborbor drums. The hypnotic beats created an atmosphere of excitement that swept through the entire gathering.
After two rounds of competition, five groups advanced to the finals: Elorm Borborbor Group from Saviefe, Mawumenyo Borborbor Group from Dzemeni, Asogli Unity & Love Borborbor Group from Ho, Elikem Borborbor Group from Madina–Accra, and Heaven Gate Borborbor Group from Lashibi.
The judging panel was made up of Dr. Eyram Fiagbedzi of the University of Ghana, Dr. Senyo Adjei of the University of Cape Coast, and Madam Edinam Attachie, veteran actress and member of the National Commission on Culture.
The judges praised the quality of performances, describing the championship as “highly competitive, attractive, and well-guided by clear rules.” They noted that each group exhibited distinctive choreography, rhythm and artistic interpretation.
The carnival atmosphere was heightened by fans waving flags, blowing whistles and dancing along. An interactive public voting system also allowed the audience to support their favourite groups, adding a new dimension to the competition.
Ahead of the contest, a street procession through Ho’s Bankoe community set the tone for the night. The parade turned the township into a moving carnival of sound, colour and excitement, with residents lining the streets to watch.
At the end of the finals, Elikem Borborbor Group from Madina–Accra was crowned 2025 champion, taking home a cash prize of GH¢20,000, a trophy and medals. Elorm Borborbor Group from Saviefe placed second with GH¢10,000, while Asogli Unity & Love Borborbor Group from Ho came third with GH¢5,000 with other packages.
For many spectators, the aesthetics of the event were unforgettable – from the dazzling costumes and choreographed routines to the vibrant energy of the drums that kept the crowd engaged long into the night.
The event coincided with World Tourism Day celebrations, further projecting the Asogli Te Zã as a platform for cultural tourism and national identity.
A fan from Dzemeni told the GNA: “Borborbor is more than dance; it is our story, our spirit. This carnival shows the beauty of our culture to the world.”
The National Borborbor Championship has, in just two years, established itself as one of the most anticipated highlights of the Asogli Te Zã.
Organisers have assured the public that future editions will be bigger, more competitive and more exciting.
GNA
