It was a night that saw the remaining 13 contestants in the Ghana’s Most Beautiful competition recount some mythical tales and beliefs associated with some towns in their respective regions.
Contestants shared with studio and television audience, how these myths and beliefs came about, as well as their impact on the people and their societies.
Upper East representative, Ayisha, mounted the stage to talk about the Apukwanmnyoong shrine in Bawku which, she said has a big baobab tree that makes noise to warn community members of any impending danger.
Savannah region’s Kasha told the story of a mystery stone in Laribanga in her region; a stone that is always in a particular position, which no one has ever been able to successfully change.
She said every time the mystery stone was moved, it came back to its original position.
Nana from the Oti region told the story of a forest monster, ‘Ohinto’, a half-human and half metal creature that lives in a forest in her region.According to her, Ohinto always made sure to punish people who desecrated the nature.
Volta region’s Enam shared the story of the infamous Nogokpo thunder god that serves as a check on societal vices by striking dead people found guilty of one crimes.
She explained the thunder god ‘Zakadza’ is not only revered in Nogokpo, but across the country for its prowess.
Zara who represents the Northern region, spoke about the mysterious ‘Jaagbo’ grove which appeared from nowhere and sits at the heart of the Tolon-Kumbungu District.
Though she said the people of Tolon do not know of its origin, it has became their god, which they have for decades worshiped.
Upper West region’s Yiri shared the history of how the termite hill in Navle saved the people of that community from slave raiders during the slave trade in 1807.
The hill, she said, served as a shield for the people of Navle, and has since been cherished for saving lives, and known for granting wishes of anyone who stands by it to make a request.
Western region’s Esi talked about how the Ahantan people of the West believe third borns who are of the same sex as their two older siblings, and twins serve as an intermediary between the gods of the community and the people.
Ahafo region’s Afia shared a fascinating story about the ‘Asuo Kwadwo Tano’ town in her region where goat rearing, killing and use as a delicacy is forbidden.
Obaapa from Bono Region told the story of the eople of Koraso, a small town in her region who believe it is a taboo to fish in the ‘Asuo Koraa’ river. According to her, the people hold the view that the river is a female and fishes in it are its offspring hence fishing is prohibited as a way of ‘saving the offspring’.
The story about how monkeys are likened to humans is not new, but it is facinating to know that the people of Nkoranza in the Bono East region relate with monkeys as their fellow humans, and for years regarded them as sacred creatures.
Bono East’s Pena talked about how the people’s love for monkeys led to the putting up of the Fiema Monkey Sanctuary, which is one of the region’s tourist sites.
Yaya who represents the North East region, talked about how her people built a defence wall from natural materials like shea butter, milk and honey.
According to her, the ‘Naa Jeringa’ wall located in Nalerigu was built as a shield against wild animals, slave raiders and enemies of the town.
Western North’s Saah told the story of a sacred forest in Sefwi Wiawso ‘Awuwale’ and how everyone is prohibited from visiting this forest.
Central region’s Ekua told a tale of a tree god ‘Nana Paprata’ who fought for the survival of Ogua.
Appearing on stage looking like a tree herself, Ekua also talked about how the tree god came to its people’s rescue by putting an end to a strange disease that once plagued the people of Ogua.
Volta region’s Enam emerged ‘Star Performer’ this Sunday while Central region’s Ekua was adjudged ‘Best Costumed’ contestant.
Western North regional rep, Saah, got the ‘Best Behaved’ contestant for the week.
Sunday’s performance was also the last for Western region’s Esi, Bono region’s Obaapa and Ahafo region’s Afia, as they were evicted from the competition for failing to get enough votes to keep them in this year’s Ghana’s Most Beautiful.
Ghana’s Most Beautiful, which is a TV3 reality show, airs Sundays at 8:00 p.m. on TV3 and streamed live on all social media platforms of the station.
Source: 3news.com Ghana